When it comes to securing your business, installing CCTV is often one of the first things on your list. But once you’ve got cameras in place, another question quickly follows:
“Do I actually need 24/7 CCTV monitoring – or is it enough just to record footage?”
It’s a great question – and the answer depends on the risks you face, how quickly you need to respond to incidents, and how valuable your time (and stock) really are. In this article, we’ll break it down so you can make the right decision for your business – whether you run a car dealership in Norwich or a distribution hub in Suffolk.
CCTV Recording vs Monitoring: What’s the Difference?
Before we go any further, let’s define terms:
CCTV recording means your cameras are passively recording footage to a hard drive or cloud storage. If an incident happens, you can go back and watch the footage. But nothing happens in real time. It’s after-the-fact evidence.
CCTV monitoring means your cameras are actively watched – either 24/7 or during high-risk hours – by trained operators in a control room. If something suspicious happens, someone sees it live and can act immediately.
Both systems use similar hardware, but the outcomes are very different.
The Pros and Cons of CCTV Recording Only
✅ Pros:
Lower cost (no monitoring fees)
Good for low-risk environments or daytime-only businesses
Useful for reviewing incidents after they happen
❌ Cons:
No live response – if a break-in happens, you’ll only find out later
Doesn’t prevent damage or theft – it just helps catch them (maybe)
May not meet insurance or compliance requirements for high-risk sectors
Put simply, recorded CCTV is like a dashcam: useful evidence, but it won’t stop someone from doing something stupid in the first place.
️ What You Get with 24/7 CCTV Monitoring
When you opt for professional CCTV monitoring (like through our in-house control room at SSY), here’s what you get:
Immediate response to threats
Trained operators monitor your feed and can take action within seconds – issuing live audio warnings, alerting keyholders or dispatching police.Human intelligence, not just software
Unlike motion detection systems, human operators can verify what they’re seeing and avoid false alarms from animals, weather or shadows.Visible deterrence
Signs warning of 24/7 monitoring discourage most criminals from even trying.Real-time issue handling
Operators can alert you to non-criminal issues too – from delivery problems to system faults or on-site safety risks.
So, Which One Do You Actually Need?
Here’s a good rule of thumb:
| If You… | You Need… |
|---|---|
| Have a small office or low-risk site | Recording-only CCTV may be enough |
| Store high-value stock or equipment | Live monitoring strongly advised |
| Need to comply with insurance or safety standards | Monitored CCTV is often required |
| Want peace of mind 24/7 | Live monitoring is your best option |
| Only operate during the day | Monitored nights & weekends can be a smart hybrid |
The cost difference is surprisingly small compared to the cost of downtime, loss, or criminal damage.
What Does CCTV Monitoring Cost?
At SSY, our monitored CCTV service is far more affordable than most people expect. For typical commercial premises, pricing starts at:
From £75/month for basic setups
£100+/month for multi-camera systems with live audio challenge and incident response, dependent on number of cameras monitored
Discounts available for multiple sites or combined fire/security clients
Remember: this includes full support, maintenance and rapid response – not just someone “watching the screen.”
️ Can I Upgrade My Existing CCTV System?
Yes. In most cases, we can integrate your current CCTV system into our monitoring service with minimal disruption. We’ll assess your existing kit, advise on any required upgrades (if needed), and get you set up for live response within days.
No expensive re-install. No faff.
️ How SSY Makes Monitoring Easy
Unlike many providers who subcontract their monitoring, we run our own secure, Norwich-based control room. That means:
No middlemen
Faster response times
One point of contact
Better service and accountability
We’ve got years of experience monitoring sites like food factories, data centres, recycling plants and retail parks – so we understand the risks and compliance standards that matter in your industry.
✅ Final Verdict
If you’re serious about preventing loss and protecting your premises – not just watching the damage after it’s happened – then CCTV monitoring is absolutely worth it.
If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to visit your site, look at your setup, and offer honest advice. No pressure. No sales spiel. Just solutions that work.
Want to know if monitoring is right for you?
Call us on 01603 425 100 or visit ssygroup.co.uk to book a free site assessment.
