Here’s a quiz for you: what’s the difference between video surveillance and video verification? If you answered “nothing,” you’re in need of a refresher about security, especially when it comes to intrusion. Simply put, video surveillance gives you proof that a break-in has happened, while video verification gives you proof that a break-in is happening now. We talk with potential clients every single day who say things like, “I just need some more cameras in my parking lot” or “I already have security; don’t you see this camera?” Some of the people we talk to have fantastic quality cameras around their businesses. None of them have the protection they think they do. About a year ago, we met a business owner in Portland who installed surveillance cameras throughout a large lot of rental vehicles. She could view the cameras remotely when she felt like it and put signs around about the cameras. One night, burglars cut through the fence and stole one of the vehicles. The next morning, the owner came to work and discovered the cut fence and missing vehicle. She had footage, but no vehicle. Now imagine that same scenario with video verification instead of video surveillance. The business owner arms the security system and goes home for the night. When the burglars gain entry, their movement is immediately detected by the video verification devices. The alarm monitoring center is notified and a trained operator uses the video to see what is going on. If a person is in the protected space when it is supposed to be empty, the operator dispatches police on the highest priority. Police arrive and catch the perp in the act. The next morning, the fence may be cut but the vehicle is still in the lot and the suspect is in jail. Which scenario would you prefer for your business? Our business is built around video verification because we believe that verified response is the only way to approach security. Without verification, security systems are nothing more than noisy false alarm machines that drain community resources. Police departments around the country agree and have become increasingly strict about what alarms they will and will not respond to. Take Burien, Wash. for example. There, alarms must be verified by both video and audio, or by a live person, before police will respond (we offer systems that meet this ordinance, by the way). We believe that this is the direction that most jurisdictions are headed. Will your business be ready – and protected in the mean time?