If you’re planning to hire a security guard this year, take a moment to ask yourself: is that really the smartest way to protect your property in 2025? While it might seem like a tried-and-true solution, relying on a guard can come with more hidden costs, blind spots, and risks than you bargained for. Fortunately, there’s a smarter, more scalable option that’s changing the game: live video monitoring.
The Hidden Costs of Hiring a Security Guard
Hiring a guard seems simple on the surface. You want someone on-site who can watch things and react if something goes wrong. But behind that simplicity lies a pile of complexity and cost. Beyond the base salary, you’re looking at insurance, overtime pay, and the high turnover that means retraining new people regularly.
And then there’s the reality of human limitations. A guard can only be in one place at a time, and coverage gaps are inevitable. Even if you pay $45,000 a year for a nighttime guard, they can’t stop a break-in happening on the other side of the lot while they’re doing rounds. That single point of failure can mean missed incidents, liability issues, property loss, and damage to your reputation.
Why Video Monitoring Isn’t Just Watching, It’s Acting
You might think of video surveillance as passive, just a way to record what happens. But live video monitoring is something else entirely. These systems are powered by smart cameras that use AI to detect unusual behavior or threats. And when something suspicious happens, it’s not just recorded for later review. It’s acted on in real time.
At the center of it all is a Security Operations Center (SOC), staffed by trained professionals. When AI flags a potential threat, SOC agents spring into action. They issue live voice warnings through on-site speakers and alert local authorities if necessary. EyeQ, for instance, boasts an average response time of just 82 seconds. Compare that to the time it takes a guard to notice something, if they notice it at all.
What Happens During an Incident: Guard vs. Monitoring
Imagine a break-in attempt. A guard might notice the intruder, or they might not. If they do, they’ll need to investigate alone, potentially putting themselves in danger. Then they’ll report the incident, after it’s already happened.
With live video monitoring, it plays out differently. A smart camera detects movement and flags it for review. AI confirms it’s a credible threat. Within seconds, a SOC agent issues a loud, clear audio warning: “You are being recorded. Leave immediately or police will be dispatched.” If the intruder doesn’t flee, law enforcement is notified, with verified video to back it up.
That’s not just faster. It’s safer, more accurate, and far more likely to stop the incident before it escalates.
Better Deterrents Start With Being Seen (and Heard)
Security is about presence, yes, but it’s also about perception. What really scares off intruders isn’t just seeing a guard in a uniform. It’s knowing they’re being watched by smart systems that react fast.
Criminals can walk around a guard. They can ignore passive signs. But they can’t ignore a voice booming from a speaker, verifying their presence on camera, and warning them police are on the way. That level of precision is what EyeQ delivers, and it’s why their clients see a 94% deterrence rate. When intruders know they’re caught in the act, they don’t stick around.
Security Showdown: Guard vs. CCTV vs. Live Monitoring
Let’s break it down.
- 24/7 Coverage: Guards go home. CCTV records, but doesn’t react. Live monitoring never sleeps.
- Real-Time Response: Guards can respond, if they’re nearby. CCTV can’t. Live monitoring intervenes immediately.
- Deterrence: Uniforms might deter. Cameras might not. Verified voice-downs? Highly effective.
- Cost: Guards are pricey. CCTV is cheaper, but passive. Live monitoring delivers the most protection per dollar.
- Liability Protection: Guards may miss key details. Passive footage might help, if it exists. AI and human-reviewed footage reduces liability fast.
- Detection Accuracy: Humans are fallible. Cameras are blind. AI sees what matters.
When Might You Still Need a Physical Guard?
There are times when only a human touch will do. Think large public events, customer-facing roles like valet or concierge, or properties with complicated indoor layouts that cameras can’t fully cover. In these cases, a guard makes sense. But even then, remote monitoring can serve as a critical backup, and even a force multiplier.
A hybrid approach lets you get the best of both worlds: people where empathy and direct interaction are needed, and smart systems covering the rest. That’s not just smart, it’s cost-effective.
What to Ask Before You Hire a Security Guard
Before you sign a contract, ask yourself a few important questions:
- Is the guard licensed and insured?
- How many hours will they realistically cover each day?
- What’s their protocol if they encounter a threat?
- How do they handle off-hours or multiple-site coverage?
- Could technology do this faster, safer, and at a lower cost?
And here’s a pro tip: try a 30-day side-by-side comparison. Stack up the results of a guard versus live monitoring on the same site. Let the numbers speak.
Final Word: Visibility, Speed, and Smarts Matter Most
Security is no longer about just having someone on-site. It’s about seeing what matters, responding fast, and staying ahead of threats. Live video monitoring does all three, and more. It turns your cameras into a proactive defense system, backed by AI, human intelligence, and a 24/7 response team that never blinks.
So if you’re still considering a security guard in 2025, ask yourself one last thing: is tradition really worth the risk? Or is it time to step into the smarter, safer, more affordable future?
