At our base in Glasgow, the Corps Monitoring Centre (CMC) was established by Corps Security in 2003 to be at the forefront of electronic security. By 2007, our custom-designed alarm receiving centre (ARC) was constructed to underpin the growth of the Corps Monitoring division.
The CMC provides remote security protection across multiple sectors, from retail and corporate to residential and hospitality. Our surveillance operates 24/7, 365 days a year.
Beyond the ARC fundamentals, there are fascinating elements about how the centre operates. Here are five features of our CMC you may not have heard about.
A layered approach
The CMC isn’t just secure through its technology. The building features structural layers with “false” elements deliberately designed to make the centre less accessible. In the event of a fire alarm, the doors don’t automatically open when triggered, unlike standard automatic function release doors. This choice prioritises security over conventional measures, with alternative fire safety measures in place.
The centre maintains multiple broadband exchanges, so if one transmission fails, operations continue uninterrupted. The CMC also features a robust battery room to provide emergency power in case of mains power failure. These are constantly charged while the CMC is run on mains supply, and can kick in if the mains suddenly drops. If the loss of power is prolonged, we switch to the standby generator until the mains supply is restored.
Should the main facility itself come under attack, there’s a backup office space that is set up to operate at National Security Inspectorate standards, along with multiple servers and a remote backup data centre to ensure complete continuity.
Testing and preparation never stop
When it comes to attacks, our CMC functions on the principle of not if, but when. The control room operates around the clock, every single day of the year. Along with that constant presence, the team runs full disaster recovery tests throughout the year, so every staff member is prepared for potential attacks or system failures.
This ongoing training culture is one that every business should employ to enhance its resilience. That way, when incidents occur, responses are swift and practised rather than panicked. Three engineers are also permanently based in the CMC control room. They each attend installation and maintenance courses for the main transmission and ancillary equipment installed at our customers’ sites.
Alarm responses are immediate and interactive
Once an alarm is triggered, live CCTV imagery automatically appears on screens in the CMC. Two-way audio functions allow operators to identify and directly speak to any individuals who may be on site. This means potential intruders can be deterred in real time, with police notified according to the agreed emergency escalation procedure. These capabilities can save clients up to seven figures annually compared to costly onsite solutions and permanent staff presence.
The centre also collaborates with the police by providing evidence and CCTV footage for ongoing investigations, including in terror incidents.
Corps Protect supports lone workers
The CMC takes the safety of individuals working alone seriously, holding BS 8484 accreditation, the UK’s Standard Code of Practice for the Provision of Lone Worker Services.
Security officers and lone workers can use our mobile app with built-in protective features. If, for example, they feel threatened, they can shake their mobile device to trigger an alarm. The monitoring team will immediately ring to check on them and escalate as necessary.
Other devices available include fob devices, ID badges, and body-worn cameras, which can also feature two-way audio so lone workers can stay in contact with our team. The cameras can also be used for evidence gathering.
The CMC often connects these calls with regional hubs, so support can be organised onsite. For some client sites, the centre maintains direct contact with former firefighter teams who operate decommissioned fire engines in case of emergencies such as electrical fires.
Keeping connected to keep your business protected
As a fully independent monitoring centre, we work with multiple installation companies to fit monitoring and access control systems; we don’t install equipment ourselves. This allows us to provide the monitoring solutions that are right for your environment without being tied to specific hardware. That flexibility ensures that your site benefits from fit-for-purpose equipment, and allows us to focus on monitoring your assets, property and people.
Our services include CCTV monitoring, sensor-activated monitoring, live surveillance, intruder alarm monitoring, and fire alarm monitoring. We also offer personal protection services, keyholding, environmental monitoring, call centre management, crime reporting and lone worker monitoring.
Our customers use these services independently or as part of an integrated solution incorporating physical security and technology.
To learn more about how the Corps Monitoring Centre can protect your organisation, read more about our services and contact us today.
