What is Security Monitoring?

Jon Jones ● Nov 26 ● 15 min read

What is Security Monitoring?

Security monitoring is the process of identifying, assessing, and responding to security events. It is a critical part of an organization’s security program. Security events can include anything from attempted and successful break-ins to vandalism. Security monitoring allows organizations to detect and respond to security events in a timely manner. Thus, it is important for organizations to have a well-defined security monitoring process in place in order to effectively protect their assets. At Monarch, we can help organizations develop their security monitoring architecture to increase safety and well-being.

What is Security Monitoring: The Importance of Security

As the world progresses, so do the ways in which criminals operate. Hence, many businesses and organizations have turned to advanced security monitoring systems that provide AI-based analytics that enhance safety and security.

There are many benefits of security monitoring, the most important of which is early detection. By identifying issues early on, companies can avoid or mitigate the damages caused by a security breach such as a break-in or even employee theft. Security monitoring can also help improve an organization’s overall security posture by identifying weaknesses in their systems that can be addressed. Security monitoring is an essential part of any organization’s security strategy and should not be overlooked.

What is Security Monitoring: How Security Monitoring Works

In order to keep your business safe, you must have a good security monitoring system in place. This includes having security cameras, alarms, and security guards. But how does all of this work together to keep you safe? Let’s take a look at how security monitoring works.

When you have a security system in place, the first step is to monitor the premises. This can be done with security cameras that are placed around the perimeter of the property. These cameras are constantly recording footage of what is happening on the property. If there is ever an incident, the footage can be reviewed to see what happened and who was involved.

In addition to monitoring the premises, it is also important to monitor who is coming and going from the property. This can be done with live security monitoring 24/7 or by using access control systems. Furthermore, environmental sensors are also important in order to monitor the environmental health of a building. All in all, there are many steps to take when securing a building.

Verkada for Security Monitoring

Here at Monarch, we will work with you to design security solutions that are tailor-made for your organization. Together, we will design, implement, and oversee a security infrastructure with seurity monitoring for both safety and convenience.

Verkada offers a wide range of security products, including cameras, access control, intrusion
sensors and professional monitoring. All Verkada devices integrate with each other and are managed from a single cloud dashboard. Consider the following features of all Verkada devices:

Simple to Use

• Solid-state Storage (SSD): No NVR, DVR, or server is required. This means you pay for what you use – and that’s all. This reduces any extra overhead operations and the associated expenses,
• Regular, Automatic Software Updates: No need to worry about if your devices are working properly or are up-to-date with our Verkada devices.
• Simple Plug-and-Play Install: Just a standard Ethernet cable is required for the cameras to be brought online and fully operational within minutes.
• Accessible Anywhere, Anytime: Access archived or live feed videos on any device or browser

Scalable

• Unlimited Storage on Camera and Cloud: Reduce your organizations’ liability risk with unlimited cloud archiving offered by Verkada cameras.
• Unlimited Users Allowed: You can easily authorize admins access to an unlimited number of users.
• Infinitely Scalable: No matter how large the facility is, we can help you keep everyone on the same page. 

Limitlessly Smart

• AI-Based Video Analytics: Face detection, person of interest detection, and license plate detection are all available.
• Live Alerts: Receive instant alerts in any meaningful event
• Shareable Live Feeds: Share your live feed via SMS. This is useful as you can send it to first responders in case of an emergency for dramatically reduced response time.
• 10-Year Warranty: Rest assured that your money is well protected

What is Security Monitoring: Overview of Verkada’s Cloud-Based Cameras

Verkada offers technology that is secure and easy to use for users looking for security monitoring. The set-up is simple: once a device is installed, it is online and fully operational within just a few minutes.

Other features of our security cameras include the following:

• AI-Based Video Analytics: Face detection and person of interest detection. You can easily receive alerts when a person of interest re-enters your business.
• Smart Filters: Search for specific people, vehicles, and objects without having to spend too much time scrubbing through footage.
• License Plate Recognition: Identify license plates of interest in your parking lot.

• Shareable Live Feeds: Share your live feed via SMS. This is useful as you can send it to first responders in case of an emergency for dramatically reduced response time.
• Time lapse: Watch a day of footage in under 30 seconds with timelapses.
• Floor Plan: Quickly respond to incidents with real-time motion plotting. 

Additionally, Verkada offers security cameras that are thoughtfully designed. The cameras have a durable design, firmware signing, and can detect tampering. Choose the security cameras that fit your needs and ensure safety.

What is Security Monitoring: Verkada’s Cameras

We offer a variety of options to meet your security monitoring needs including: the Verkada Indoor Dome Series, the Verkada Outdoor Dome Series, the Verkada Bullet Series, the Verkada Mini Series, and Verkada Fisheye Series.

Verkada Indoor Dome Series

The Verkada Indoor Dome Camera is designed for indoor, high-traffic areas. It is the perfect general-purpose security camera for security monitoring. There are three versions of this camera: CD42, CD52, and C62.

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series is both weather- and tamper-resistant.  Its capabilities function well even in areas with limited bandwidth and connectivity. They are perfect for monitoring the parking lot and the exterior of buildings (e.g., to capture key license plates). There are three versions of this camera: CD42-E, CD52-E, and C62-E.

The Verkada Bullet Series

The Verkada Bullet Series is ideal for long range, outdoor surveillance. It is built to withstand harsh environments, allowing for security monitoring. The Verkada Bullet camera is available in two lens types: wide angle and telephoto. There are four versions of this camera: CB51-E, CB61-E, CB51-TE, CB61-TE.

The Verkada Mini Series

The Verkada Mini Series offers both flexibility and enhanced resolution for clear footage. The Mini Camera is a compact size that can fit any space, anywhere indoors. There are three versions of this camera: CM41-S, CM41, and CM41-E.

The ​Verkada Fisheye Camera

The ​Verkada Fisheye Camera provides a panoramic view of the entire property – both indoor and outdoor. This camera allows for total surveillance coverage.

The Verkada Fisheye Camera (CF81-E) is an ideal security camera for security monitoring. With the option to switch between circle, ePTZ, 2-view, 3-view, or 4-view modes on the CF81-E, you can do away with the need for multiple camera installations. You can also take advantage of features like digital pan-tilt-zoom to increase coverage and lessen blind spots.

Three different view modes are supported by the CF81-E. You can customize the view mode to meet the requirements of the install location.

• 180° Panoramic: A wide-angle view that is ideal for an open area or a corridor.
• Four-way split: Use a single camera to watch four distinct fields of view.
• Pan-tilt-zoom (ePTZ): Provides a panoramic, all-encompassing view of your environment.

What is Security Monitoring: Access Control

Another critical security monitoring measure is access control. An access control system is a security measure that regulates who has access to certain premises. There are many different types of access control systems, but they all have one common goal: to keep unauthorized people out while allowing authorized people in. Furthermore, access control allows staff to move around quickly with keycards to maximize efficiency.

There are numerous approaches to controlling access to a building, and Monarch can assist you in determining which approaches to use for security monitoring.

Verkada’s AC41 Door Controller

With Verkada’s AC41 Door Controller, clients may bring plug-and-play ease to managing doors and access throughout their buildings. In other words, as soon as you install the AC41 Door Controller, it is ready to use within minutes! Our Access Controller can easily integrate with any existing door hardware and readers in your facility.

With our Command platform, you can easily manage your doors once they are connected to the network (e.g., create lock schedules for doors). On the Command platform, you can effortlessly manage building access, scheduling, and users. You also save time adding users on the platform since employees are seamlessly configured, onboarded, and offboarded. This is because of the integration with active directory platforms.

Additionally, you can easily connect your Access Controller with your cameras using Verkada Command to provide real-time video analytics on access-related events. Thus, you are able to not only view what is happening at the buildings’ points of entry, but also take proactive action for any significant occurrences. The door controller, then, is an essential for security monitoring.

Verkada’s AD32 Door Reader

The AD32 Door Reader allows individuals to enter doors if they have the appropriate credentials on their cards or mobile phone. This door reader supports low and high frequency card formats as well as mobile devices that have the Verkada Pass app. Furthermore, the AD32 Door Reader comes in two different options: the Mullion Mount Plate and the Single Gang Mount Plate. Both options allow for customized installs.

The Single Gang Mount Plate is a common card reader format that can replace existing reader mounts or be used on traditional installations. The thinner Mullion form factor has a sleek design and can be used in smaller spaces such as door frames.

Access Control Key Features

With Verkada, choosing the right devices for door security monitoring is made easy. Consider the following key features of Verkada’s access control:

• Seamless Video Integration and Analytics
• Infinite Scalability
• Cloud-Based Software and Management
• Integrate the Access Controller with Any Existing Cards and Readers
• 10-year Warranty on Hardware
• Verkada’s Pass App: Touchless Access Capability with Bluetooth

What is Security Monitoring: The Uses of Access Control

You can feel secure knowing that your interests are safeguarded with any Verkada device. Consider the following benefits of implementing access control as part of your security monitoring system:

Insight on Building Access Activity

• Our access control system handles visitor credentials and ensures that visitors like maintenance workers only have access to specific areas.
• Track where and when individuals enter and exit certain areas. 

Intrusion Detection

• Deter deter potential crime with safety door locks after business hours. 
• Identify intrusions when they do occur. With Verkada’s devices, you can filter for door events like tailgating, holding the door open, forcing the door open, and people of interest.

Asset Protection

• Prevent some employees and visitors from entering restricted areas with door lock systems that require authorized credentials.
• Protect your company’s critical equipment, information, and assets with controlled access door locks. With these door locks, only authorized individuals will have access to these areas.

Managing Access Credentials

So, how does Verkada’s access control work? You can manage access control on the Verkada Command platform which is where you can monitor all of your devices. There are many different features that you may use to secure access control.

First, you can specify the user groups or access levels on Verkada Command. Then, you can design badge templates for each user group or access level. Next, you can print the badges and issue credentials either in bulk or individually. Finally, you can maintain users and permissions up to date in real time.

What else can be done on Verkada Command to manage building access control? Consider the following features:

• Synchronize Profiles: Synchronize users from SSO systems such as Okta and Azure Active Directory, and natively capture access levels and groups.
• Provisioning with a Single Click: With a single click, employees can be issued bluetooth credentials or a physical ID card.
• Log of Badge Events: On Verkada Command, access a log of badge events to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to secure areas.
• Secure De-provisioning: Instantly and automatically deprovision users from all systems and access points.
• Unlock Doors from Anywhere, Anytime: Users can remotely unlock authorized doors using either the Verkada Pass and Command Mobile apps
• One-Tap Instant Lockdown: Create custom Lockdown scenarios that can be activated with a single tap to immediately secure buildings in the event of an emergency.

What is Security Monitoring: The SV11 Environmental Sensor

The Verkada SV11 all-in-one environmental sensor can monitor the health and safety of buildings, taking commercial building security systems to a whole other level. The SV11 environmental sensor monitors 8 different aspects of the environment: the total volatile organic compounds (TVOCS), the air quality index (AQI), particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), the temperature and relative humidity, noise levels, vaping, and motion. Overall, the automated situational awareness provided by the SV11 is key in improving safety and security.

The cloud-based sensor instantly connects to the cloud via Ethernet. This makes it easy to scale since there are no servers, databases, or on prem clients to manage. Moreover, since they are cloud-based, sensors are ready to use within minutes. You can then manage the sensors from Verkada’s web-based Command platform. This makes it easy and secure to remotely access on any device, anywhere. Furthermore, sensor security is maintained through continual, automatic firmware updates.

You can purchase the SV11 Environmental Sensor here.

Design and Features of the SV11

The SV11 is unique in not only its ability to monitor the overall environment, but also in its design and features, making it the perfect addition to commercial building security systems. Its outer layer is a photochemically stainless steel etch and it is followed by several different sensors that measure and report data. Verkada’s SV11 works by using the onboard sensors to detect changes in the breakdown of chemicals in the air.

Furthermore, the SV11 has many different features that make it one of the most appealing environmental sensors. Consider the following unique attributes:

• Command Platform: Access all sensor data from the Command platform and view it against a timeline to get a full picture of when these events occurred. Compare environmental between any number of sensors or locations.
• Customize Your Dashboard: Determine which exact sensor data you’d like monitored and displayed on your dashboard
• Easy Visualization of Data: Data is easily visualized with color-coded sensor readings and data representations.
• Integration with other Verkada Devices: The SV11 Environmental Sensor is natively integrated with all other Verkada devices.
• Link Sensor-Based Data to Video: Link any sensor with a Verkada camera, correlating video with sensor-based data. 
• Custom Threshold: Configure custom alert thresholds to receive real-time notifications via SMS and email.
• Sensor-Based Alerts: When an anomaly is detected, an alert via SMS or email can be sent to pre-selected individuals as well as security, allowing teams to respond quickly.
• Alert Settings: Customize alerts for your team to cut down on unnecessary notifications during the weekend and after work. Our platform allows each user to set what hours and days of the week that they’d like to receive alerts for sensor-based anomalies.

What is Security Monitoring: Conclusion

In conclusion, security monitoring is a process of observing and recording building activity in order to identify potential security threats. By understanding what is happening on their buildings, organizations can take steps to prevent or mitigate attacks. Security monitoring is an essential part of any organization’s security strategy, and Monarch is here to help build up your security architecture