Live Video Monitoring

Yes. In many systems, combining the two approaches is more practical than choosing one for the entire property.

For example, selected entrances or high-risk areas may receive live operator coverage during certain hours, while AI analytics monitor additional areas for predefined events. AI can also help direct operator attention toward activity that deserves closer review. The monitoring model can therefore vary by camera, area, schedule and risk level.

Not necessarily. Remote monitoring can often work with existing cameras when the equipment and video management platform provide compatible video streams, sufficient image quality and the required integration options.

Compatibility should still be checked before the monitoring service is designed. Older cameras may provide usable live video but lack the processing capability needed for newer AI analytics, while some proprietary systems limit third-party connections. In those cases, individual components can often be upgraded without replacing the complete surveillance system.

UL Solutions has a specific certification category for managed video monitoring services. The standard covers monitoring facilities that receive video from protected properties and use trained staff to assess situations, interact with people or systems and follow agreed monitoring procedures.

Certification examines the facility, equipment and service operation, and UL conducts ongoing audits of listed monitoring stations. This is different from simply describing a room with screens as a monitoring centre. For clients using operator-assisted remote video monitoring, the monitoring environment itself is part of the reliability of the service.

Yes, provided there is a reliable communication path with enough bandwidth for the required video streams. Depending on the site, connectivity can be provided through wired internet, fibre, fixed wireless or cellular connections such as LTE or 5G.

The required bandwidth depends on factors including the number of streams, video resolution, frame rate, compression and how frequently video needs to reach the monitoring platform. Remote construction sites and temporary locations therefore require network planning as part of the monitoring design rather than simply adding a cellular modem after installation.

Operator-assisted monitoring should be based on defined procedures rather than individual judgment alone. Before monitoring begins, the required response can be documented through Standard Operating Procedures or another agreed response matrix.

Instructions may identify authorized contacts, monitored schedules, areas requiring attention and permitted actions for different situations. They can also establish when an operator should use audio, contact property staff, notify a guard service or escalate an incident. Procedures should be updated when property use, personnel or security requirements change.

The effect depends on how the local system and communication path are designed. A local recorder may continue recording during an internet outage even though remote live monitoring becomes temporarily unavailable.

Backup power can keep cameras, recorders and network equipment operating during shorter electrical interruptions. Cellular failover or another secondary connection can provide communication redundancy where uninterrupted remote monitoring is particularly important. These protections need to be designed into the system because live monitoring cannot receive video that the property cannot transmit.

Live viewing still involves personal information even when footage is not permanently recorded. Organizations should therefore determine why monitoring is necessary, limit collection to relevant areas, control who can access video and establish appropriate retention and security procedures.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada also recommends minimizing unnecessary surveillance and limiting camera views to what is required for the identified purpose. Audio monitoring requires additional consideration and should not simply be enabled because the equipment supports it.

TNSG can configure technical controls such as user permissions, camera views and recording settings, while the organization operating the system remains responsible for its applicable privacy obligations.

Not automatically. Standard live video monitoring may provide live viewing, object detection and video verification without identifying a specific person or reading a vehicle plate.

Licence plate recognition requires suitable cameras, viewing geometry and dedicated LPR or ANPR analytics. Facial recognition also requires specific compatible technology and introduces additional privacy considerations. These capabilities should therefore be treated as separate system functions rather than assumed to be included whenever AI video analytics are used.