The Next Generation Of Talent For CCTV Surveillance

The Next Generation Of Talent For CCTV Surveillance

In 2022 technology in security has formed a more substantial part of security strategy, alongside manned solutions drawing both closer together. As a result, the work we do at our CMC is now more interconnected with Corps Security’s specialised security services, particularly when it comes to CCTV live surveillance, intruder & fire alarm monitoring, lone worker devices and key holding.

The world of CCTV monitoring, and indeed security in general, is in a growing state of evolution. We’ve seen significant growth in our managed monitored solutions thanks to our deeper integration with Corps Security guarding clients and the ability to provide a blended approach that uses both people and contemporary technology.

Continuing to strengthen our team and to better the service we deliver to clients, several internal appointments have been made recently that we are excited to share:

Jamie Brownlee

Business Development Manager
In 2014 Jamie joined Corps Monitoring as a CCTV operator before taking on an engineer support position, dealing with alarm management and site configuration. In 2019, Jamie became a technical administrator before being promoted to senior technical administrator role a year later.

This year, Jamie has been promoted to the role of business development manager, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the systems that are monitored to significantly benefit our installer clients, ensuring they can always access the right solution for their needs.

Ross Doolan

Technical Administrator
Ross joined Corps Monitoring in 2018 as a CCTV Operator. After just two years, Ross became engineer support, assisting our clients in the field with alarm management and site configuration. This year, Ross has been appointed to technical administrator, assisting our accounts department and our engineers with any issues around systems set up.

His intricate knowledge of monitoring systems makes Ross a brilliant asset to the team, particularly where troubleshooting is concerned. He is also a key member of our Corps Together team as a Guardian for gender and sexuality characteristics.

Robert Thomson

CCTV Engineer Support
With little security experience but a keen interest in the industry, Robert joined Corps Monitoring as a temp CCTV Operator in 2013. At first covering mainly holidays and busy periods, within months he joined the team full-time working night shifts and learning from highly experienced security officers about being a vigilant operator.

After switching to day shift work and starting a family, Robert began learning the networking side of monitoring, including configuring CCTV, intruder alarm monitoring systems and fire alarm monitoring systems. Today, Robert’s role is CCTV Engineer Support, leading a growing close-knit team and helping to expand Corps Monitoring as a business.

Gavin McCartney

Monitoring Solutions Director
Gavin McCartney joined the Corps Monitoring team in 2010 as a CCTV operator before moving on to the technical administration team. His natural flair for business development led Gavin to the sales team, becoming our business development manager in 2019.

Now, we are proud to have Gavin as our monitoring solutions director, working closely with end user clients and the Corps Security sales team to provide tailor-made integrated security solutions. Gavin’s approach to business development is built on a solid foundation of operational experience in one of the UKs most advanced electronic security and monitoring centres. His grass roots knowledge and expertise mean he can advise customers on the most appropriate solution for them.

These internal appointments signal the first wave of an exciting growth and development strategy for Corps Monitoring, alongside a deeper interconnectivity between all divisions of the business that will carry us into 2023.

We look forward to making further announcements in the new year.

Corps Monitoring is a division of Corps Security – the UK’s longest running security company. Corps Monitoring offer a range of technology solutions including CCTV Monitoring Services, CCTV Sensor Activated Monitoring, CCTV Live Surveillance, Fire Alarm Monitoring, Intruder Alarm Monitoring, Personal Protection Services, Key Holding, Call Centre Monitoring, Lone Worker Monitoring and more.

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The AI In Security Debate- What Is The Future For CCTV Monitoring?

The AI In Security Debate: What Is The Future For CCTV Monitoring?

Gavin McCartney from Corps Monitoring sparks the debate around Artificial Intelligence in CCTV and Alarm Monitoring

This article was provided to, and published by, IFSEC Global. You can read the article here.

In this article, Gavin McCartney explores the debate around AI and whether it has the capacity to change the landscape for CCTV monitoring as we know it.

A brief history of CCTV

Despite their introduction in Germany in 1940, the first CCTV cameras did not appear in the UK until 1960. Back then, if you were asked, “Do you think that Camera monitoring (CCTV) will ever replace the need to have a security officer on your site?” or “Could Camera monitoring (CCTV) be used to reduce the hours the security officer is required to work on your site” the answer would have most likely have been ‘no’.

The idea of remotely monitoring CCTV cameras was a thing of science fiction, especially when considering dial up internet had not yet been invented or theorised. Now, companies and individuals are seeing the benefits of remotely monitored security systems as part of everyday life, be it an individual’s video doorbell or a company’s fully monitored security system. This is, in some situations, resulting in the requirement for local security officers to cover sites being reduced.

The Introduction of ARCs

Increased connectivity has allowed for the creation of the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), but what is an ARC? An ARC is a manned control room where alerts are received from client systems on their monitored sites. These alerts are usually received on a front-end monitoring platform that can receive alerts from multiple disparate systems (systems that do not necessarily integrate with each other).

Typically for a CCTV alert, an alarm is generated on site by movement. The alert is then sent to the ARC and an operator answers the alarm which shows pre/post images of the movement captured on site, alongside the live cameras of what is happening now. The alarm image allows the operator to make a judgement as to whether the alarm is genuine or false and can then determine the appropriate escalation/action. Their actions will follow the predetermined management criteria for the incident type identified.

One of the biggest advances in both CCTV and remote monitoring in recent years is the development of Artificial intelligence (AI).  Zaman et al (2018) described AI as a ‘…computer program[s] [that can] ‘‘watch,’’ ‘‘identify,’’ and ‘‘understand’’ … clips automatically and efficiently utilizing an existing video infrastructure’. In short, AI is a technology that enables a machine to carry out tasks like a human being.

AI and Machine Learning

AI has developed to now include, in many instances, the capability of Machine Learning (ML). El Naqa & Murphy (2015) explains ML as “…an evolving branch of computational algorithms that are designed to emulate human intelligence by learning…”, whilst Haeniein & Kaplan (2019) define AI with ML as “a system’s ability to interpret external data correctly, to learn from such data, and to use those learnings to achieve specific goals and tasks through flexible adaptation.”.

AI with ML allows the system to automatically learn from the management of past data without the need to be reprogrammed. In relation to ARCs, this could take the form of the system learning from alarm images received and identifying what is normal from a camera view, allowing it to then identify what is abnormal – e.g. if there is an alarm constantly being received where a branch is moving in the wind, after several times of the machine receiving this alert and it being cancelled, it will quickly learn that this is nothing to be concerned about and to disregard the event as false. If, however, in the same image, a person comes in to shot, this would be regarded as true, and the alarm would reach the control room for an operator to manage.

There are currently remote monitoring companies utilising AI with ML via third party alarm filtering software, meaning that regardless of the alerts being sent from the CCTV system on site when the alert is received at the ARC it is run through the alarm filtering software and this determines if the alarm is genuine or false prior to presenting to an operator.

Will alarm filtering software remove the need for human interaction?

The aim of utilising the alarm filtering software is to reduce the workload on their monitoring operation, allowing their staff to manage fewer “nuisance” alerts and focus more on genuine alarms. This is hugely beneficial, but the continuation of this process raises several questions, including:

  • Will it reach a point where the people managing this process become obsolete and the requirement for CCTV Operators reduce significantly?
  • Has the necessity for human operators already begun to decrease in some areas?
  • Will there be a point that the companies only employ a person for specific tasks (e.g. anomaly checking and managing live incidents), operating without the general distractions in a busy ARC?

The more connections put through the AI, the better it becomes at recognising the differences between false alarms (e.g. wildlife and foliage) and a genuine security threat being identified. At present AI is not 100% accurate all the time, and false alarms still get through and/or occasional genuine alarms are deemed as false. However, the number of errors is decreasing year on year.

There is an argument that an operator would be required to differentiate between a person that poses no threat and a genuine intruder, however, will AI eventually get that smart it could differentiate between normal and abnormal behaviour, and effectively do this task without a person being involved?

This may be unrealistic with current technology, however, the advance in technology is not slowing down and AI will not stop learning. It is realistic to predict there may become a point a person isn’t required for this task at all, and the system will do the confirmation with a great deal of accuracy and, potentially, be more accurate than if a person was doing the task.

Aside from AI, automation is already being utilised in the remote monitoring industry via the front-end platforms/alarm handling software. Several functions can be pre-determined, including, but not limited to; audio warnings being issued by the system, contacting keyholders, engaging the police (with the introduction of ECHO), sending of fault alert emails, and reports can also be sent automatically too. All the above were, at some point, manual tasks.

The purpose of noting automation is that the foundation in which a CCTV alarm could be reported should the AI determine the alarm as a threat is already being built most of which has been already.

The question then becomes “will there become a point where the standard of your CCTV system on site doesn’t matter as long as the camera is of relatively good quality for evidential purposes” as the AI will exist within the system, not the device. The system won’t discriminate between a high end premium system or a lower end value system. It won’t require the camera to have its own analytics (including line crossing, PIR detection or video motion detection). So, if a person goes on your monitored site, regardless of your system sending 3 or 3000 false alarms per night, that will be the only alarm actioned.

There are a few questions this technology raises, including:

  • Should all remotely monitored CCTV systems eventually be run through AI?
  • What would be the environmental impact of the servers being utilised to process and learn this information if all systems were monitored in this method?
  • Where do you see the future of AI in remote monitoring?
  • Are we supporting a culture where less staff is the aim to reduce overhead (Tesco with self-scanners)?
  • Are we going to lose that personal touch for automation?
  • Will you even care about not speaking to someone if the system is highly accurate and more cost effective?
  • If you do care about a person being involved do you still have full manning of security officers on your site with no electronic security solutions?

To conclude, the people of 1960 couldn’t have realised the extent of benefits from remotely monitored security systems that we are now seeing. The benefit of this approach includes that, after the initial CCTV investment, and despite the system being a depreciating asset, it still naturally reduces corporate overheads.

I now ask the people of 2022 “will AI eventually reduce the need for alarm receiving centres?” and “will we reach a point in time for our security services to be taken care of by a machine?”. I guess time will tell.

Corps Monitoring is a division of Corps Security – the UK’s longest running security company. Corps Monitoring offer a range of technology solutions including CCTV Monitoring Services, CCTV Sensor Activated Monitoring, CCTV Live Surveillance, Fire Alarm Monitoring, Intruder Alarm Monitoring, Personal Protection Services, Key Holding, Call Centre Monitoring, Lone Worker Monitoring and more.

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Tackling Labour Issues And Security Efficiency With Technology

Tackling Labour Issues And Security Efficiency With Technology

Businesses are facing a perfect storm this winter. Rising costs, reduced consumer spending and labour shortages across many sectors remain issues that many are still addressing. When looking to cut organisational costs, FM – specifically soft services – are typical areas many will be driven to review.

Security is one of those areas. However, much of the need for security stems from required assessments based on industry or the organisation’s requirements, alongside insurance companies’ demands to ensure the total value of property and assets are covered.

But times have changed. In fact, security advancements can sometimes change quickly. It has been slow, but the move to technology-led solutions has allowed insurance companies, local authorities, and regulators to provide more flexibility and ingenuity to save time and money for a business. In recent years, what began as a slow adoption of technology, has accelerated dramatically.

Tackling the labour shortage

Since the pandemic and Brexit, the UK has been seeing skilled labour shortages across many sectors, with security being one of the most prominent. Highly trained and experienced workers left in their thousands and have yet to return. Therefore, our sector must adjust and look for efficient and effective ways to secure your businesses.

Technological advancements have provided new solutions that work alongside manned guarding, sometimes as a safer alternative. A typical two-man contract can easily be supplemented by technology that will reduce the requirement to just one officer on site at a time. These new technologies reduce the need for an officer to engage directly with assailants, improve the possibility that a criminal is caught, and collect practical data a human would find hard to recall when faced with a dangerous situation.

Protect Duty increases need for officers

To add to the perfect storm for businesses, a new piece of legislation will be enshrined in Law in 2023 and will increase the number of companies which will require a manned security presence. Martyn’s Law, more commonly known in the industry now as Protect Duty, is a new piece of legislation which has been campaigned for since the Manchester Arena terrorist attack. You can hear more detail of this from Figen Murray, mother of Martyn (who the Law was named in honour of), who was killed in the attack, here.

Whilst many companies, like Corps Security – our parent company – have already begun recruitment drives to attract more people into the industry, this takes time when efficiencies can be researched immediately. With public spaces of 100 or more people requiring new risk assessments and potentially new or higher security provisions, this will only compound the labour shortage. Without the guards to perform the roles, many of these businesses will find it extremely difficult to find the services they need when they need it – to be within the Law.

Efficiency, but with a ‘People First’ approach

Firstly, we are not advocating the wholesale removal of manned guarding and replacement with technology as being the panacea.  After all, a security threat assessment that has established a need for a physical security presence has generally done so for good reason. All security assessments should always have a ‘People First’ approach. People are vastly more important than any building or asset, so their safety remains paramount.

But that doesn’t always require putting someone else at risk to protect another. You are simply doubling the risk. In a not-too-distant past, as an example, a four-man guarding team on a large site would have been a minimum requirement by an insurer. However, since that last review or when renewing insurance, it could be that modern and reliable technologies could handle some of the work undertaken by that team. Monitored camera systems – that alert external monitoring services to support a reduced onsite team; or vehicle recognition software that can operate entrance and exit points, reducing the requirement for a permanently positioned officer. These technologies already exist and allow officers to concentrate on other impact areas.

Review now, before it is too late

Many businesses are educating themselves on Protect Duty right now, and before long, security providers will be inundated with enquiries in preparation for the law change. In turn, if the labour shortage does not improve, officers will become hot property, and competition will strengthen between companies to offer better pay and benefits to entice them over.

All this at a time when we all need to be reducing costs. So now is the time to act.

We are inviting our clients to review their security right now. Would you like one too? You do not have to be a Corps customer to get some initial advice. As one of the UK’s only private security companies to offer Manned Guarding and our own Alarm Receiving Centre, our unique experience and guidance could provide efficiencies you have never considered or ever thought possible.

With just one call or email, you could have found yourselves the Perfect Guardians through the Perfect Storm.

To discuss your concerns or for some expert initial advice, please call us on 0141 847 2026 or email sales@corpsmonitoring.co.uk

Corps Monitoring is a division of Corps Security – the UK’s longest running security company. Corps Monitoring offer a range of technology solutions including CCTV Monitoring Services, CCTV Sensor Activated Monitoring, CCTV Live Surveillance, Fire Alarm Monitoring, Intruder Alarm Monitoring, Personal Protection Services, Key Holding, Call Centre Monitoring, Lone Worker Monitoring and more.

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Could Technology Provide The Solution To The Rise In The Living Wage ?

Could Technology Provide The Solution To The Rise In The Living Wage?

It has been announced by the Living Wage Foundation today that the new rates for the Living Wage will rise by 10.9% to £10.90 – with London weighed rates at £11.95. Although this is a record increase, it is unsurprising with the economic climate and outlook remaining pretty bleak for both consumers and businesses.

Our parent company, Corps Security, has committed to paying all employed colleagues the real Living Wage, I can confirm this includes 100% of our colleagues at Corps Monitoring. As a Recognised Service Provider, we will continue to honour this pledge, and the company continues to increase the number of colleagues on contracted accounts, following our recent announcement that we are now at 87.5%.

Wages costs are increasing, but technology costs are decreasing

The economic climate in the UK and worldwide is causing increasing concern for businesses, including our customers. The new Living Wage will only add to the anxiety. Corps is in a unique position in that we provide manned guarding or people-led solutions and technology as part of our professional services. By working in partnership, our solutions can offer increased efficiency and reduce cost implications for our customers.

Whilst wage increases will continue to rise; we are seeing a steady and consistent decline in the cost of technology as more businesses become aware of the benefits of technological solutions in the fight to protect their people and property. Alongside this, we are still faced with a labour shortage across the security industry since the pandemic and Brexit. Could now be the time to review your security provisions to see if improvements can be made now?

How can technology improve security provision efficiency?

Technology in security can provide a proactive solution as part of your contract. The use of technology has become more widespread as technology is advancing at such an impressive rate.

CCTV Monitoring: CCTV Monitoring has developed over the years into a proactive solution that offers second-to-none protection for your people, property, and assets. Your Alarm-activated systems are easily integrated into our Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). When activated, our highly skilled operatives can monitor an assailant, alert them they are being monitored, raise the alarm with emergency services when required and act as a deterrent without the need for physical intervention. It is safe, and effective and supports manned guarding solutions, too, by providing a second set of eyes when guards are required to attend to other incidents or complete agreed patrols. Whilst we are not advocating the removal of manned guards, a carefully reconsidered solution could reduce the requirement of two guards, to one, with the use of technology.

Intruder & Fire Alarm Monitoring: Our intruder and fire alarm monitoring services act similarly to CCTV monitoring. We can integrate your fire and intruder alarms into our ARC (compatible with most professional alarm systems), providing a 24/7 response monitored by highly trained professionals. Our immediate response ensures fast and efficient access to the emergency services and can reduce the risk to colleagues in the event of an incident on site.

Personal Protection: Security is a potentially dangerous profession, and the mission to fully protect our colleagues has led to the industry-wide development of solutions for lone workers and those at risk. At Corps Monitoring, we have developed Corps Guard, an app designed to offer safety and security for colleagues. Many contracts may require two trained and licensed guards for health and safety reasons. However, the main reason for a required two-person team is to prevent lone working. However, in a time of financial crisis, offering above standard protection for colleagues, with interactive and practical apps such as Corps Guard, significantly reduce the risks to the person and could welcome a reduction in the guarding requirements of your contract.

Safety of colleagues is paramount

While we advocate using a blended security solution – technology and manned – it is vitally important to remember that the safety of our colleagues is paramount. Therefore, we mustn’t perform any knee-jerk reactions whilst anxieties rise of increasing costs. Every adaption to security provisions should always be done in collaboration with your professional supplier. This will ensure the contract remains not only compliant and within your insurance and licensing requirements but remains as safe as possible.

We are here to support you

Corps Security – across the group – are offering free consultations, advice, and support during this ongoing financial issue. For Corps Security customers, we will work in partnership with the contract teams to identify opportunities to offer a blended and contemporary solution that could reduce overall costs. In the coming weeks, our customers will hear from us, but if you are not a Corps Security customer and would like to know more about how technology integration can help your business, do get in touch.

Corps Monitoring is a division of Corps Security – the UK’s longest running security company. Corps Monitoring offer a range of technology solutions including CCTV Monitoring Services, Fire Alarm Monitoring, Intruder Alarm Monitoring, Personal Protection Services, Key Holding, Call Centre Monitoring, Lone Worker Monitoring and more.

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Armed Forces Day 2022 - Forces training produces some of the country's best security officers

Armed Forces Day 2022: Forces training produces some of the country’s best security officers

As a security company with a social mission that directly relates to veterans, you can imagine the significance of Armed Forces Day to our whole team. A day where the country focuses on the great sacrifices our forces colleagues make to protect our country and countries around the world.

Our social mission is to provide meaningful employment to the people who have served our country and to help them reintegrate into civilian life. This has been the case since the company’s formation over 160 years ago. Forces personnel make exceptional security officers. Here is why.

Reintegrating into Civilian Life

It is difficult to understand the challenges that face forces personnel as they reintegrate into civilian life. I am a veteran myself, so I know first-hand the pressures that face our servicepeople as they leave the familiarity and security of their Forces family. For some, this transition can be paralleled with physical and mental health issues too, depending on the post that they are departing.

The most significant change for forces personnel is the loss of routine, procedures, structure, and discipline. However, these are the skills that align perfectly with roles in security services, something our founder realised when forming Corps of Commissionaires and remains the backbone of our social mission to this day.

Veteran’s influence security services with their transferable skills

Corps Monitoring is licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and expected to follow strict rules and guidelines. Our team is also required to understand, follow, and achieve certain British Standards for security that require motivation, discipline, robust procedures, and accurate reporting.
These traits are synonymous with the training of all Forces personnel. The similarities between security and the roles in our armed forces mean that learned skills are easily transferable and can provide security providers, such as Corps Monitoring, with access to a skilled workforce that have a positive impact on the development of the security industry in the future.

Understanding assailants

Another highly transferable skill from active service to CCTV and monitoring services, is understanding the behaviour of an assailant. Our team monitors thousands of live CCTV streams and are the first responder when there is an intruder, fire, and significantly and importantly a potential threat to life. Responding to such risks requires calm, to ensure accurate and concise reporting to those in danger on the ground.

Couple that with a deeper understanding of the reactions of the assailant – where they might hide and what their next course of action might be, can protect the lives of those under physical threat. For a veteran, this skill is engrained into their working lives and will therefore require much less intense training as they transition to security services.

Supporting the wider veteran community

At Corps we understand how daunting it is for veterans as they return to civvy street. Therefore, we have partnered with specialist organisations such as Combat Stress – who offer support to the wider veteran community who may face mental and physical health issues and/or struggling following their departure from the forces. Our partnership with Combat Stress offering veteran support not only helps the individual, but when they are ready to take on new employment, they know Corps are there to support them and provide meaningful roles in the future, should they wish.

Corps’ future for veterans

Corps will continue to forge relationships across the wider veteran support community, including the MoD and forces leadership, charities, and local organisations across the UK to continue to grow our veteran workforce. Admittedly, not all forces personnel will have the inclination to work in security. But for those that do, our mission remains to ensure every veteran is aware that they have a place in the Corps family.

We hope the country never forgets the sacrifices that have been made by our Forces personnel and veterans, and our loved ones in danger right now across the globe protecting innocent civilians every day. We hope you will join us in solidarity and support this Armed Forces Day.

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Artificial Intelligence In Security; There’s Nowhere To Hide
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Artificial Intelligence In Security Monitoring; There’s Nowhere To Hide

Technology has been at the heart of modern security for decades. From the launch of the first integrated CCTV system in the 1980s, to fingerprint and retina scanning used in modern day systems. The desire to protect our businesses, assets, homes and of course our families, has driven three decades of mind-boggling technological innovation in the security sector.

A modern piece of technology, that has already become a fundamental part of contemporary life and is fast becoming the most exciting future for security, protection and even law enforcement, is Artificial Intelligence.

No, the robots aren’t rising!

If you are over a certain age and you hear reference to the term Artificial Intelligence (AI), your mind is likely drawn to films depicting shiny reflective robots, with undefined faces and odd personalities. To dispel that myth immediately, we are not talking about robots patrolling your premises, approaching a trespasser, or driving your company vehicles. In modern practice, AI is an intelligence demonstrated by a machine to perform tasks like humans, and as in the case we are about to raise, to learn, adapt and improve these tasks and services accordingly.

How can AI improve my security monitoring and protection?

When was the last time you did a full review of your site security? For many, it is so long it is hard to remember. Whilst burglar alarms and 24-hour recorded CCTV are standard in businesses, and becoming equally as popular in our homes, many of the systems are outdated, or much of the functionality is underutilised.

External CCTV monitoring makes use of the alarm features on modern CCTV DVR systems to provide an additional layer of proactive protection with live surveillance, or sensor activated monitoring. The external provider reacts immediately to alarms, engages with any intruder, and can activate emergency services before you even know there is an issue. You can read more about our Corps Monitoring services, here.

You may ask yourself, why then do we need AI? Surely a human-centric service, supported by contemporary technology, offers all the protection you need?

AI and Humans Working Together

AI in security is not intended to replace any human activities, let’s make that clear. AI is used to enhance monitoring services, whilst building on our ability to identify threats, deter criminals and see more than a human eye is capable.

Any savvy businesses or individual who benefits from CCTV monitoring can access Corps Monitoring’s analytics and AI solutions. As one of the first UK security companies to adopt the technology within our ARC monitoring centre, we have catapulted the accuracy of our monitoring, positively influenced the capture and conviction of criminals, and have joined a worldwide community that is collecting data to learn and adapt to the ever-changing, and often coordinated security threats faced by the modern world.

Benefits of Analytics and AI

A skilled colleague: Whilst human beings are the most intelligent life on the planet, we have limitations. The analytics and AI systems we operate are designed to provide a solution to what humans cannot do, leaving us to focus on what we can influence with human interaction.

A seeing eye: The analytical data stored within the system can use the existing technology, such as CCTV, to identify gender, stature, height and can even identify if an intruder or visitor is left or right-handed. In addition, the system relies on movement, not light, which means hidden figures in shadows, unseen by the human eye, are identified quickly and highlighted by the system.

A first responder: The AI can also filter false alarms and real emergencies. Using specifically designed algorithms, built to learn, and adapt, the computer can separate false alarms caused by environmental factors such as strong wind, birds and other wildlife, and real threats such as an intruder.

A student: AI systems are permanently learning. Using cloud-based technology, every second of every day is recorded by the system and uploaded securely. The data is analysed by sophisticated algorithms which the software uses to adapt its programming and enhance its own possibilities.

A worldwide community: Our cloud-based AI solution provides a secondary benefit. Every company or individual using the system uploads data to a central cloud source. This data is analysed by sophisticated algorithms to recognise trends in criminal activity, and, as time goes on, create a data point of lawbreakers that could revolutionise their identification across the globe.

Analytics and Monitoring for the price of a client lunch!

You would expect that all this specialised technology would cost an eye-watering amount of investment – especially for a 24/7 service. In fact, it, costs less than a client lunch a week.

Not bad considering the positive impact your UK business can have on worldwide security and law enforcement for generations to come.

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Andy Topp
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Andy Topp Joins Corps Security

Corps Security has appointed Andy Topp as its new sales director.

Topp will work with executive director Mark Rogers and the rest of the senior leadership team to broaden the company’s approach and develop new market sectors – particularly those interested in a more ethical approach to procurement now that Corps is a social enterprise.

Andy will work closely across the Corps Security organisation, including our Corps Monitoring division which provides CCTV monitoring systems and services, fire alarm monitoring, personal protection services, and intruder alarm monitoring.

Topp has more than 20 years’ experience in the security and facilities management industry, having held senior roles with Reliance Security Services, Securitas Security Services and ISS Facility Services where he was most recently national sales director – single service for 10 years.

Andy Topp said: “I am thrilled to be joining Corps Security. As the only major social enterprise in the security sector, it is completely unique, and I look forward to helping to grow the organisation and thereby increase its positive impact on the local communities in which it works.”

Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security commented: “I’m delighted that Andy is joining us and bringing with him a wealth of senior experience in our sector. His ability to work at both a strategic and tactical level to deliver results will be a significant boost to the team.”

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How CCTV Monitoring Can Keep Your Business Secure During Quieter Periods
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How CCTV Monitoring Can Keep Your Business Secure During Quieter Periods

With a ‘work from home directive’ still in place, key decisions made by business leaders around this time of year is whether to keep their office or workplace open.

What are the overhead savings versus potential revenue lost? How badly do my staff need to take a break? What are we really going to miss out on by closing for a few days? These are the sorts of questions that company bosses will be weighing up.

While reasons exist to support both approaches, many will be closing their doors to let their employees recuperate and enjoy times with their loved ones.

That means leaving corporate premises unoccupied. Once that decision to close has been made, the next most important question is, how do I ensure my workplace is secure? A question to which there are many answers.

Let someone else do it for you

Indeed, some firms may be located in buildings which have their own security setups and protocols for holiday periods. Others, meanwhile, may hire some form of temporary security presence to keep watch while staff are away.

Another option is to tap into the benefits of remote monitoring. The dynamics of security are already changing to the extent that CCTV monitoring, CCTV live surveillance, and remote monitoring are becoming increasingly relevant. COVID-19 has led to occupancy levels reducing in many cases, leaving buildings less well attended than they were previously.

Remote monitoring represents a cost effective and consistent solution that doesn’t take time off. These systems involve cameras which signal alerts to an external monitoring centre, whose staff can issue immediate alerts to on-site staff or dispatch their own response personnel.

Everything happens in real-time through intuitive and comprehensive dashboards, voice activated commands and with the backup of full logistical and human resource management.

Furthermore, if your organisation is spread over multiple sites, remote monitoring solutions are easy to scale up (and down) depending on the number of sites that need protecting – it is far easier to adjust security requirements with this sort of setup than it is to move and adjust operations purely comprised of on-the-ground staff.

Peace of mind

Manned guarding, especially on a 24/7 basis during periods of low occupancy, can also present a prohibitively expensive option to companies.

Moreover, the risk of working through the night in certain places may outweigh the benefits, and organisations may also be housing highly sensitive data that makes them reluctant to station outsourced personnel on-site by themselves.

In all of these cases, CCTV monitoring, CCTV live surveillance, or remote monitoring should be considered as a financially viable, safe alternative which is able to rapidly notify the relevant authorities without the need for any human security officer on site.

Of course, we hope that no alerts need to be made. Often, the presence of cameras and lighting alone is often enough to deter any would-be intruders or trespassers.

Whatever option business leaders take to protect their premises, it is critical they ensure it balances both their security and financial needs.

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Looking Back Looking Forward
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Looking Back & Looking Forward

The pandemic has meant there’s been no such thing as ‘business as usual’ this year and we are no exception.

As a result of COVID19 and the work from home mandates, many sites have been left vacant and the demand for CCTV monitoring services and intruder and fire alarm monitoring has grown. Sites that were ordinarily being monitored overnight and at weekends were often monitored 24/7.

We’ve seen an increase in petty theft incidents, particularly on construction sites. This is likely due to a combination of sites being unattended, as many workers were furloughed or construction was paused, and there being supply chain issues experienced by construction material providers.

Through the easing of lockdowns, there has been a consistent shift in customers’ requirements and their perception of CCTV monitoring has changed. Those who had perhaps been resistant to change had their hand forced when it was either not safe or not practical to have manned security presence on site, either because of economic drivers or because of manpower challenges.

As businesses have been under mounting financial pressures, we’ve seen a greater migration from manned guarding to CCTV monitoring services which has generated significant cost savings for clients. Our security savings calculator has proven very popular this year. CCTV monitoring services have also relieved some of the burden of security recruitment difficulties.

Continuous improvement in AI and deep learning software has resulted in CCTV monitoring technology being more accurate and reducing the number of false alarms. This increased confidence means it has become a more attractive option.

COP26, which took place only a few miles from the Corps Monitoring Centre in Glasgow, focussed minds about how we can all conduct ourselves and our business in a more sustainable manner.  The use of appropriate monitoring technology in place of mobile patrols, or manned guards who must travel to sites every day, has an instrumental part to play in reducing the carbon footprint of the security industry.

For us, the launch of our Corps Secure reporting portal in mid-2021 has given our customers a powerful view of their security operations– providing a real-time dashboard overview of their monitored sites, backed up by the ability to drill down to granular detail like where incidents have been identified or to see billing information.  This functionality and level of transparency is unique in our sector and has been well received by our customers.

Looking forward

Electronic security has certainly proved its worth in terms of reliance and cost savings during the pandemic and it’s a ‘go to’ now for many businesses looking to secure premises whether they are occupied or vacant, and save costs.

The significant uplifts in the Government’s National Living Wage rates, as well as a 1.25% increase in National Insurance contributions for both employers and employees will without doubt mean that many more organisations will re-examine how security is delivered to their business.  It’s highly likely that the increase in wage-related costs, along with the industry-wide challenge of the security labour shortage will result in more companies opting for an integrated security model utilising a blend of manned security backed up by robust technology.

The reduction in the number of manned security hours delivered provides cost savings which enable customers to reinvest back into their staff by improving pay rates and ensuring more fruitful recruitment and retention rates, whilst improving the overall effectiveness of their security model.

The UK’s public switched telephone network (PSTN) will be switched off in 2025 and every phone line in the UK will be digital routing all calls over Internet Protocol. This affects businesses and homes and doesn’t just affect phone lines either. It affects everything connected to PSTN or ISDN lines like alarms, EPOS machines, door entry systems, CCTV, and faxes. Everybody will need to prepare for this so this will generate a flurry of activity for the security monitoring sector in 2022 as people prepare. As a remote monitoring company, we are ready to provide all the support and guidance our clients need.

Looking ahead, 2022 is already set to be a busy year and change is a given. Our learnings over the past 18 months have made us ever more resilient as a business. Our senior management team is always thinking outside the box and looking for ways to innovate and challenge the status quo in remote monitoring. 2022 will be no exception.

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Corps launches diversity and inclusion initiative
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Corps Launches Diversity And Inclusion Initiative

Corps Monitoring has formally launched Corps Together, a comprehensive campaign to improve equality, diversity and inclusion engagement across our organisation.

The programme, which began over a year ago, aims to create a culture where heritage and differences are valued and celebrated while building an organisation which treats inclusion as an expectation not an aspiration.

A group of volunteers, known as guardians, were recruited from within the business to take personal responsibility for the six protected characteristics: age, sex, religion, disability, gender and race.

The initiative includes the introduction of an ED&I charter which sets out our company level commitment to each Corps colleague and underpins the Corps value Everyone Matters. The senior team reviewed all Corps policies, procedures and recruitment processes to ensure ED&I best practice, introduced a Corps Together website, a short video and a quarterly magazine to engage people with the initiative together with a dedicated helpline/ email line to deal with any issues and panel support for HR issues or grievances so people feel supported if they’re raising a ED&I issue. There is also annual mandatory E&DI training for everyone in the business which is now undertaken using MOONHUB’s innovative virtual reality training platform.

The guardians also created a calendar of key dates across the six protective characteristics including faith festivals, LGBTQ History Month, Pride month and Black History Month and organise celebratory events for some of these key dates as well as social media activity.

The campaign is already having an impact. Corps’ annual Your Voice Matters colleague survey in summer 2021 demonstrated a growing understanding of ED&I issues thanks to the Corps Together initiative but with clear room for improvement. More than 60 percent of people are aware of Corps Together, just over 40 percent are aware of their guardian team members, almost 70 percent feel Corps proactively promotes equality diversity and inclusion and a similar number feel they can approach Corps if they have an issue relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.

“These results show that even where people aren’t aware of Corps Together, the majority feel Corps actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion,” says Seetan Varsani, director of major accounts and strategic development at Corps Security, who leads the campaign. “We will measure and hope to see a year-on-year improvement in these scores.”

The guardians are also planning an annual ED&I awards scheme and want to use the official launch to get more engagement from site-based colleagues. “We want people to feel not just included but a sense of belonging,” adds Varsani.

Corps is also exploring the adoption of ISO 30415 – the new business quality standard in ED&I – with the aim to achieve this in 2022.

“As a social enterprise, people are at our very heart. Corps Together demonstrates that we value each and every one of our more than 3,000 people and want to celebrate our diversity,” says Rob Hill, managing director of Corps Monitoring.

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About Corps Monitoring

Corps Monitoring provides a range of electronic security solutions including CCTV monitoring, intruder and fire alarm monitoring, personal protection services and keyholding, as well as environmental monitoring, call centre management and lone worker monitoring.

Corps Monitoring is a division of Corps Security, the UK’s leading independent specialist security solutions provider. The Corps group is a certified social enterprise.

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