You wake up to your phone ringing at 2:30 AM. It isn’t your alarm clock— it’s your security company. The alarm operator verifies your identity and then tells you: “Zone 5, Side Door” of your business is in alarm. He asks if you want to send the police. You’re about to say yes, but then remember your business just had a false alarm last week, which cost you a $250 fine.
What do you do?
Many business owners and homeowners face this exact situation. Lack of visibility is one of the biggest limitations of traditional alarm systems. It’s why an estimated 68 million U.S. homes are equipped with security cameras,1 and more than half of small and mid-sized retailers now use them.2
But here’s the problem: not all of those homes and businesses have mobile access to their cameras. Many outdated analog systems still rely on DVRs with no internet connection (CCTV). So how can you verify an alarm if you can’t even check your cameras remotely? And even if you can pull up an app, how much time are you losing before making a decision?
Enter Video Monitoring.
With remote video monitoring, your cameras become your alarm system. Motion on your exterior cameras is reported to the central station, where an operator can immediately verify the event. They can initiate two-way audio to deter intruders and provide more detailed information when calling you or dispatching police. Instead of “Alarm at Zone 5, Side Door,” you hear: “Three men in ski masks are at the side door.”
The goal of monitored camera systems is deterrence; to be proactive instead of reactive— like a traditional CCTV system. Features like live operator voice warnings, sirens, flashing lights, or Alarm.com’s AI Deterrence3 are designed to make intruders think twice and might cause them to leave before anything happens.
Additionally, when alarms are video-verified, it gives responding officers clearer information, which can lead to a significantly faster and more prioritized response compared to standard alarms.
Why isn’t Video Monitoring Everywhere?
Here are a few possible reasons:
- People don’t know about it.
- They don’t understand how it works.
- They’re uncomfortable with someone monitoring their cameras.
- They think it’s too expensive.
The first two are solved with education. As for privacy, here’s the reality: with modern systems, operators do not sit and watch your cameras all day. Video feeds are only accessed if an alarm is triggered— such as motion detection while the camera is armed or another sensor on the property. You also control which cameras are accessible, typically entry points or high-value areas, not private living spaces. Once the alarm is processed, the live feed ends.
Cost is a more common concern. But in most cases, the biggest expense is the initial camera system and installation. If you already have a compatible system, enabling video monitoring is as simple as activating the feature, selecting which cameras are monitored, and adjusting privacy masks or ground zones as needed. The monitoring cost itself is relatively insignificant compared to the benefits: fewer false alarms, faster response times, and far greater visibility into your home or business.
The Good News
If you purchased an Alarm.com system from Eastern Security in the past 2–3 years, it’s likely already video-monitoring capable. Even if your system is older, many use the same wiring from the past decade, and there are plenty of modern wireless options available (including our mobile surveillance trailers for commercial job sites and events). That means adding video monitoring may be easier and more affordable than you think.
To activate this feature, or to just learn more, call Eastern Security Services at 866-422-4141 or visit www.EasternSecurity.net.
