Security remains a top priority for businesses of all types and sizes. As threats such as theft, vandalism, and liability risks grow, companies increasingly realise that traditional security approaches—like hiring overnight guards or relying solely on passive cameras—are no longer the most effective or cost-efficient solution.
In 2026, more organisations are making the switch to video monitoring as their primary overnight security strategy. This shift is driven not only by cost advantages but also by better detection, faster response, and smarter technology.
Below, we explore why businesses are choosing video monitoring over other overnight security options and how this transition supports stronger protection and operational efficiency.
Traditional Overnight Security: The Cost Challenge
For decades, hiring on-site security guards to provide overnight coverage was the standard practice for businesses with high value assets, multiple access points, or vulnerability during off-hours.
However, on-site guards come with ongoing and often unpredictable costs:
Salaries and Benefits: A single full-time guard can cost a business $35,000 – $50,000 annually, not including mandatory benefits and insurance premiums that add another 30 % – 40 % to total compensation. When 24/7 coverage is needed, three to four guards are often required to cover shifts, pushing yearly costs toward $140,000 – $280,000 per location.
Training, Management and Overhead: Hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising guards involves administrative resources that many businesses find burdensome.
Guard Limitations: Human guards can miss incidents during breaks or shift changes and may not be able to visually monitor all areas of a large facility simultaneously.
As many organisations reassess their security budgets, these ongoing expenses and limitations make the traditional model increasingly difficult to justify.
Why Video Monitoring Is Gaining Ground
Video monitoring refers to the use of cameras connected to remote monitoring services that watch for incidents in real time. When suspicious or unauthorised activity is detected, trained professionals or AI-assisted systems verify events and trigger alerts, deterrents, or emergency responses.
Here’s why more businesses are switching:
1. Cost Savings Compared to Physical Guards
Remote video monitoring typically costs significantly less than the cumulative expense of staffing on-site guards. Studies and industry sources suggest that transitioning to video monitoring can lower security costs by 60 % – 70 % compared to an equivalent 24/7 on-site security guard model.
Even with monthly monitoring fees, technology costs, and installation fees, companies often see:
- Reduced staffing overhead
- Lower benefits and payroll costs
- Fewer management requirements
This is especially relevant for businesses with multiple locations that previously needed separate guard teams for each site.
2. Continuous, Scalable Coverage
Video monitoring systems operate 24/7 without fatigue, breaks, or shift changes. Cameras cover every angle of the property, and remote operators or AI systems can monitor multiple sites simultaneously.
This scalability is difficult to achieve with hired guards, who are limited by physical presence and staffing constraints.
By providing continuous coverage across one or many facilities at once, video monitoring ensures that threats are detected even during periods of lowest activity—like overnight.
3. Improved Incident Verification and Response
Modern video monitoring solutions are equipped with advanced features:
- AI-enhanced analytics that filter real incidents from irrelevant movement
- Live operator support that verifies and escalates genuine threats
- Two-way audio systems and automated deterrents
- Seamless coordination with law enforcement when needed
This combination of human and machine oversight reduces false alarms and supports faster, more accurate responses.
Remote guarding services that combine cameras with real-time analysis provide proactive intervention before incidents escalate.
4. Better Documentation and After-Action Support
Video monitoring systems automatically record and timestamp footage of critical events. This visual evidence is invaluable when:
- Filing insurance claims
- Defending against liability or theft claims
- Reviewing security gaps
- Supporting law enforcement investigations
Video documentation provides factual clarity that traditional guards may not be able to supply after an incident occurs.
5. Insurance and Risk Management Benefits
Many insurers view monitored security systems as reduced-risk investments. While not guaranteed, monitored video systems can improve a business’s risk profile and in some cases lead to better insurance terms or premium considerations.
By demonstrating active security measures that deter incidents and ensure rapid response, businesses can enhance their overall risk management strategy.
6. Enhanced Deterrence and Proactive Prevention
The presence of monitored cameras often deters potential criminal activity before it starts. Unlike traditional passive CCTV that only records, monitored systems notify authorities or security teams immediately when suspicious activity is detected, reducing the likelihood of break-ins, vandalism, or looting.
Remote monitoring also allows for active deterrence tools like voice-down warnings when suspicious behaviour is identified.
Cost Considerations for Video Monitoring
Video monitoring costs vary based on business size, number of cameras, technology capabilities, and risk level. For example, services may range from around $30 to $150 per month per camera, with higher pricing for advanced analytics, AI, and enterprise solutions.
While this expense is ongoing, most businesses find that the predictable monthly cost is easier to budget for than fluctuating labour expenses tied to security staffing.
Making the Switch: Practical Tips
If your business is evaluating overnight security options, consider these steps:
- Assess risk areas and vulnerable hours
- Determine how many cameras and sensors are needed
- Evaluate providers with AI or professionally monitored capabilities
- Compare long-term cost projections versus on-site guard staffing
- Consider integration with alarms, access control, and environmental sensors
A tailored video monitoring solution can strengthen overall security while making financial sense.
Overnight security is too important to leave to chance or outdated practices. As technology evolves and business risks increase, video monitoring offers a cost-effective, scalable, and proactive approach that many companies are adopting in 2026.
By switching from traditional guards to intelligent video monitoring, businesses can achieve continuous protection, enhanced incident response, and long-term savings—all while supporting stronger safety outcomes for people, property, and reputation.
When evaluating your security strategy this year, video monitoring deserves a close look—not just as an option, but as a strategic investment in your business’s future.
