A virtual security guard operates from a remote security command station and uses cameras, sensors, and other surveillance technology to remotely monitor and protect a property or place of business.

Virtual security guards are often used in situations where it is not practical or cost-effective to have a physical security guard on site at all times. Instead, the virtual security guard uses advanced video and audio surveillance systems to monitor the property and identify potential security threats in real time.

When a security threat is detected, the virtual security guard can activate alarms, contact law enforcement or other emergency services, and provide real-time audio warnings to deter intruders or troublemakers. Additionally, the virtual security guard can provide evidence to help law enforcement identify and prosecute intruders or criminals.

Virtual security guards offer a cost-effective and highly efficient way to monitor and protect businesses, without the need for a physical security guard on site at all times. To evaluate the potential cost savings by switching to a virtual security guard, please refer to the ROI calculator on this page.

Interface trains its virtual guards (also known as Intervention Specialists) on the following aspects:

1. Security policies and procedures: Access control, perimeter security, visitor/delivery management, and response to security breaches as implemented by customers.
2. Emergency response: Evaluating emergency situations, decision-making in emergency situations, de-escalation tactics, handling violent or unruly customers at the location being monitored, emergency evacuation procedures, handling medical emergencies, natural disasters, and fire safety.
3. Risk assessment: This can include training on how to identify and assess security risks, how to report security incidents, and how to document incidents for future reference.
4. Communication: Training on voice-down etiquette and tactics to minimize police dispatch, communicating with emergency responders and law enforcement, and communication with employees at the location being monitored. Our teams are also trained using the Behavioral Personnel Assessment Device (B-PAD) technique used by law enforcement and security agencies covering a range of hostile and emergency situations by using video recordings of real-life emergency events.
5. Technology: This can include training on the use of security technology such as central station monitoring software, surveillance cameras, access control systems, and alarms.
6. Legal issues: This can include training on relevant laws and regulations related to security, such as data privacy laws and labor laws.
7. Ethics and professionalism: This can include training on ethical conduct, professionalism, and maintaining confidentiality.

Our Intervention Specialists also go through certification courses from The Monitoring Association (TMA)

Virtual security guards when deployed with interactive monitoring technologies can deliver rapid response to security incidents 24X7, proactively de-escalate risky situations or prevent shoplifting.

Based on historical data, we have conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of our virtual guard security solution. For example, our customers have seen a 98% reduction in police dispatch rates when the business locations have enabled voice-down or announcements from remote virtual guards.

Another area where virtual security guards can make a big difference is in minimizing false alarms. Our customers have seen over 93% reduction in false alarms with the help of virtual guards who can remotely verify every alarm incident before calling emergency services.

Yes, virtual security guards can be alerted by sensors such as alarm systems, access control systems, as well as motion events detected by security cameras. In addition, wherever interactive monitoring technology is deployed, employees can alert virtual guards via security phones or panic buttons.

Virtual guards are alerted to such events instantly and they have the situational awareness through multiple camera and audio zones (at the location being monitored) to respond in real-time. After assessing the situation, virtual guards are trained to either issue voice-down commands or call emergency services.

Interface has partnerships with leading security camera brands, video management systems, connectivity service providers, and alarm and access control brands. Our partnerships allow us to integrate our proprietary monitoring systems at iSOCs with customer’s business security systems enabling our intervention specialists deliver virtual guard services seamlessly. To learn more about our partnerships, please read our partner page.

AI-enabled cameras provide advanced video analytics, real-time detection, and automated alerts. However, they cannot fully replace virtual guard services. Virtual guards offer human judgment, decision-making, and the ability to interact with intruders or escalate issues to authorities, which AI cameras alone cannot do. The combination of AI-enabled cameras and virtual guards creates a more comprehensive security solution, blending automation with human oversight to effectively prevent and respond to security incidents. For example, Interface’s intelligent voice-down service utilizes AI-enabled cameras to detect and instantly respond to loitering or burglary events. The system has the ability to automatically notify our virtual guards if the desired response is not detected automatically.