How Remote Security Monitoring and Virtual Guards Increase ROI

Physical security is often merely seen as a high-priced cost of doing business. However, advances in remote security monitoring have made commercial security both protective and profitable. By leveraging virtual guards and monitoring centers, businesses can reduce risks and increase cost savings, operational efficiency, and theft prevention. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how remote security monitoring can become a strategic investment that enhances both safety and your bottom line.

In this Article

• What is Remote Security Monitoring and Why is it Important? 
• What Types of Remote Security Exist?
• Inside the Monitoring Center
• The Benefits of Virtual Guards
• How Much is Remote Security Monitoring?
• The Secrets to Increasing ROI with Remote Security Monitoring 

What is Remote Security Monitoring and Why is it Important? 

Remote security monitoring is the process of overseeing an organization’s security while away from its location. Multi-location organizations such as businesses, schools, and hospitals benefit from remote security monitoring. It gives security directors and heads of IT the ability to monitor one location while visiting another. 

Essentially, remote security monitoring lets security teams be in two or more places at once. Why is this important? Because it means your property, employees, and sensitive information will always stay safe. 

What Types of Remote Security Exist?

Two types of remote security monitoring exist: in-house monitoring and third-party monitoring. In-house monitoring is performed by an administrator that the business or organization hires, like a Security Director, Security Manager, or Chief Information Officer. When the administrator is away, a remote security system allows them to monitor building security from afar. Often, in-house monitoring is accomplished by using a cloud-based security system to transmit security video and door alerts to an administrator’s smartphone. 

The second type of remote security monitoring is third-party monitoring, which involves outsourcing security to another company. The monitoring service employs guards stationed at a monitoring center off-site. From the monitoring center, the guards keep an eye on security footage, door alerts, and gates. The information is captured and transmitted from an on-site virtual guard system – a system that combines intercoms, access control software, security cameras, gates, and more.

For this article, we’ll be discussing how third-party monitoring improves ROI for businesses. 

Inside a Monitoring Center

In some cases, monitoring centers and virtual guard systems may not be a complete replacement for in-house guards. However, they greatly strengthen and protect businesses. Let’s find out how.

Third-party providers like SafeTouch rigorously train security guards. Once training finishes and the guards are certified, they are placed in monitoring centers. Here, they monitor the security sensors and surveillance cameras of your business. When an alert occurs or if the guards see something suspicious, they contact the client’s security team and local authorities. If an emergency happens, the off-site guards can quickly and calmly work through the situation since their lives are not at risk. They will also coordinate with on-site security personnel. 

For more information about how virtual guarding works, read our free guide: The Complete Guide to Virtual Security Guards in 2025. 

The Benefits of Virtual Guards 

Transitioning from 100% in-house security to virtual security guards is like switching from a magnifying glass to a drone view. You don’t just catch one corner of the action, you see it all.

Virtual guards combine technology with real-time human oversight to protect and increase ROI. Here are four ways they increase ROI:

1. Stop Theft
   Virtual guards can identify suspicious activity the moment it happens and intervene through live voice communication or by dispatching authorities. This proactive approach prevents theft before losses occur.
2. Deter Crime
   Visible cameras paired with active monitoring deter potentially nefarious activity. When intruders know a site is being watched, they might not attempt trespassing or other criminal activity. 
3. Save Time
   Unlike traditional guards who are limited to one location, virtual guards monitor multiple areas simultaneously. This efficiency ensures faster detection, quicker responses, and fewer operational delays.
4. Save Money
   Virtual monitoring reduces labor costs while still providing 24/7 protection. Businesses gain complete coverage at a fraction of the cost of hiring live security.

How Much is Remote Security Monitoring?

Remote security monitoring is usually based on a subscription pricing model. Subscription pricing keeps rates lower than training and hiring in-house security guards. Typical monitoring prices for homes and businesses are: 

• Price of Home Security Monitoring: $10 to $22/per month
• Price of Business Security Monitoring: Starts at $52 per month for small businesses and $500 for enterprises. 

However, the price a business pays for security monitoring varies, depending on several other factors. For example, many monitoring services charge per camera or per alarm each month. If your commercial real estate building or enterprise has 100 cameras, this might mean you’ll pay thousands of dollars per month. 

The Secrets to Increasing ROI with Remote Security Monitoring 

Paying thousands of dollars each month for a security system probably sounds as tempting as setting your 401K on fire. However, remote security monitoring still offers major ROI benefits. 

1. Lower Operational Costs (OPEX)

The salary of a full-time security guard is $19 per hour. Per month, a full-time security guard is $3,040, plus the cost of benefits and training. A reliable monitoring service and virtual guard system could be hundreds of dollars less per month. With this in mind, we can see how remote security monitoring slightly improves your bottom line. 

Now let’s consider hiring multiple guards for 24/7 security. 

2. 24/7 Coverage and Multiple Guards

If your building requires 24/7 security, your operating costs will increase by hiring in-house guards. Let’s break it down.

Sample Security Guard Budget for Medium to Large Businesses

• Avoid overtime pay
• Need 24/7 security
• Full-time Guards: Each guard works 8 hours per day at $19 per hour. You’ll need to hire 3 guards for 24/7 patrol. ($9,120 per month) 
• Part-time Guards: You will need to hire additional guards on weekends to avoid paying overtime. ($3,648 per month)
• You will need to pay for training and certification. 

You’ll spend approximately $12,768 per month for 24/7 security guarding. However, this amount only accounts for one guard on-site at a time. The question is: will one guard be enough? For hospitals, enterprises, schools, and other multi-location organizations, the answer is probably “no.” 

3. Hybrid Approach: Remote Security Monitoring and More

In many cases, eliminating your entire security team may not be in your best interest. Sometimes it’s best to use a variety of options. Businesses can drive ROI by using a combination of virtual guards, a reduced in-house team, and a monitoring service. 

1. Hire In-house Security Personnel: Businesses hire a core team of in-house security people such as a Security Director and IT Specialist. The in-house personnel evaluate security technology, manage daily operations, and monitor infrastructure. They are responsible for making sure any security plan aligns with the organization’s broader goals. 

2. Install Virtual Guard Systems: A virtual guard automates the oversight and monitoring of a building. When a visitor attempts access, virtual guard systems will notify on-site personnel. They also save time by automating, helping businesses monitor facilities. 

3. Coordinate with Remote Security Monitoring: Monitoring centers provide backup response and monitoring for business security. As mentioned, monitoring centers like SafeTouch, use off-site guards to watch your facility. If a breach occurs, remote security monitoring will notify you and the local authorities immediately. The benefit of hiring remote security guards is that they can monitor multiple areas at the same time – ensuring you stay better protected.

Though combining multiple security options may sound expensive, it can improve certain operating expenditures (OPEX), such as avoiding having to restock stolen supplies or fix vandalized property. Considering multiple monitoring approaches will help improve the company’s ROI.  

Fast, Accurate Emergency Response with Remote Monitoring 

You know your business’s security needs better than anyone. Make sure you get a customized security solution designed specifically for you. With over 30 years in the security industry, we’ll help you assess, purchase, install, and monitor your next security system. Plus, our security team will monitor your system 24/7, and with a guaranteed response time of 45 seconds or less, we’ll always have your back. Give us a call at 888.895.SAFE (7233) to speak with a SafeTouch expert today!