Detection on the camera
Cameras run analytics that classify activity in the scene — typically a person or vehicle crossing a tripwire, entering an intrusion zone or loitering. Detection happens on the camera itself or on a recorder at the site.
Event signalling to the ARC
The event — typically a short video clip and metadata — is transmitted to the alarm receiving centre over a dedicated path (cellular, fibre, or both for resilience).
Operator verification
An ARC operator opens the event within seconds, reviews the clip and the live feed, and verifies whether the event is a genuine intrusion or a benign trigger.
Live audio challenge
When the event is verified, the operator typically issues a live audio challenge through on-site speakers. Most intruders abandon the attempt at this point.
Escalation and response
If the intruder persists, the operator escalates — police with verified intent (typically higher priority), keyholder, or guard response, depending on the agreed protocol.
In summary
- Detection happens on or near the camera, not at the ARC.
- Verified events attract higher police response priority than unverified alarms.
- Audio challenge resolves a large proportion of incidents before escalation.
Frequently asked questions
How fast does the operator respond to an event?
Typical commercial monitoring SLAs target seconds, not minutes. Verification and challenge typically complete within 30-60 seconds of the event.
Who is watching my cameras — a person or an algorithm?
Both, in sequence. Algorithms — video analytics — perform the primary detection layer, filtering the scene for genuine events. Every alerted event is then reviewed by a human operator at the ARC before any escalation. This machine-then-human model is the modern default and is materially more reliable than either fully manual or fully automated monitoring alone.
What certifications should a monitoring provider hold?
In the UK, look for NSI Gold or SSAIB Category II ARC accreditation, plus BS 8418 compliance for monitored CCTV. In the US, UL 827 certification for the central station and TMA Five Diamond accreditation are the operational benchmarks. Both markets also expect ISO 27001 for information security on the operator platform itself.
How is my footage stored and for how long?
Footage handling depends on contract. Typically live and event footage is retained on-site for thirty to ninety days and mirrored briefly at the ARC for immediate operator access. Long-term evidential retention is arranged separately when needed. All retention periods should align with lawful purpose under GDPR in the UK or state privacy law in the US.
Can I self-monitor cameras instead of using an ARC?
You can, but few commercial insurance schedules accept self-monitoring, and staff-monitored response rarely delivers reliable twenty-four-hour coverage at credible latency. Self-monitoring works for very small sites with dedicated on-call cover; for anything beyond that, a professional ARC contract is the operationally sound and commercially proportionate choice for most premises.
Does remote monitoring work on rural sites without broadband?
Yes — cellular signalling covers the vast majority of rural UK and US commercial sites, often bonded across two carriers for resilience. Where cellular is marginal, satellite-based signalling is available at higher cost. The design constraint is not whether monitoring is possible but the video bandwidth and analytics location the connectivity budget will support.
How is the audio challenge configured?
Audio challenges use on-site loudspeakers driven by the ARC over the same network path as the video. Some deployments use pre-recorded challenges played on operator command; more commonly the operator speaks live to the intruder, referencing details visible on camera. Live challenge is significantly more effective than pre-recorded messages at inducing withdrawal on commercial sites.
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