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Just like at home, your store, workshop, or even office have valuable items that need protecting or watching all the time. So, your initial or upgrading cost structure should include the upfront and monthly recurring fees for security systems. But then, how much does a security system cost for a business?
Well, in general, the cost of any security system, be it for homes or businesses, usually varies on a number of factors. And in this article, we’re going to break it all down for you as per the hardware, installation, and professional monitoring.
Why Should You Get a Security System for Your Business?
Typically, there are about six main reasons you should have a good security system on your business property. These reasons include to:
- Enhance Safety: security camera systems can help guarantee the safety of both the employees and clients, plus their property.
- Deter crime: most burglars are usually opportunists. So, they’re more likely to skip your premise when they notice you’ve got a good security system all around.
- Fasten Investigation: Indeed, a good security camera system for business can provide credible evidence of a crime. Hence, helping the authorities in the investigation or the court in the ruling.
- Cut Down Monthly Security Cost: if you have a reliable security system, especially CCTV, around your business, you may also not need many security staff. Two may actually be enough if your security system includes professional monitoring.
- Improve Employee Productivity: True, security camera systems can help push the lazy employees who only work hard under supervision. Also, the employees may feel safe working on your premise, thereby improving their motivation and output.
- Optimize Business Operations: On the benefits of surveillance cameras in public places, we saw some of the intelligent detection features that could help your business. For instance, the people-counting program could give you an estimate of how many customers come into your store on particular days. Thus, providing insight on the number of staff you should have during the peak and off-peak days.
What Security Systems Do You Need for a Business?
There are about five security systems you need to account for on your small, medium, or large business. They are:
- Video Surveillance System
A video surveillance system is now a must-have for any business structure. As the owner or management, you can see what’s happening inside and outside the property around the clock. And the best part, you could also enable remote viewing to see what’s happening on the premises while even miles away.
Meanwhile, a business property will require a continuous recording security camera system that can save the footage for a month or so. Then, it should also have a powerful sensor that can even read the license plates and faces from a distance.
- Intruder Detection System
Basically, security camera systems like Amcrest and Swann have built-in intrusion detection features, such as Tripwire and Line-Crossing. However, these features are usually software programs that might not be reliable in some situations.
So, you might need to have a dedicated alarm system for your business building, office, or store. These systems usually have built-in motion sensors or sound detectors, which can help track unauthorized entries in certain areas.
- Access Control System
Just as the name, this type of security system helps ensure only active employees and authorized visitors can access your business premises. It can also control access to important rooms within your business where only a few staff are allowed.
Usually, the access control security system can have a simple-but-secure entry mechanism like that of Kwikset and Schlage keyless locks. Or a large networked system that all the authorized personnel can open by swipe or access cards.
- Environmental Monitoring System
Well, your business security system plan should also include environmental monitoring equipment. Basically, these are the sensors to detect and notify the operators of the changes in the internal environment of the building. A perfect example includes detectors for smoke, carbon monoxide, and water pooling.
- Computer Security System
Lastly, computer systems now handle almost every business operation. So, you’ll also need to protect your business files and documents, plus sensitive employee/ client data against cyber-attack by viruses, spyware, and hackers.
Some of the common cyber security approaches include investing in a great firewall and antivirus software for all your business network devices.
How Much Does a Security System Cost For a Business
The following is a breakdown of the budget you’ll need to set aside for a business security system
| Type of security System | Hardware Costs (average) | Installation Costs (average) | Recurring Costs (average) |
| Video Surveillance System | $500 to $6000+ | $300 to $1,500 | $30 to $100+ per Month |
| Intruder Detection System | $2,000+ | $300 to $700 | $30 to $100+ / Month |
| Access Control System | $400 to $2500+ per door | $100 and up | $10 to $100 per Month |
| Environmental Monitoring System | $800 to $3,000+ | $1500+ | $50 to $250 per Month |
| Computer Security System | $700 to $4,000+ | N/A | $100 to $350 per Month |
1. Video Surveillance System
Hardware Costs
Overall, the cost of a security camera system for business ranges from $500 to $6,000 or even $10,000. It usually varies with the type of system you want (DVR or NVR), the number of channels (4 to 64 channels), resolution, and storage.
Installation/ Set-up Costs
Once you receive your video surveillance system, you can install it yourself or hire a professional installer. But for the best results, all work around a business should be done professionally. Thus, on top of the hardware expense, you’ll also need to set aside an average of $300 to $1,500 as the installation labor cost.
Monthly Recurring Costs
Would you like to have a standby response team in the event of an incident at your business? If yes, your video surveillance system expenditure should also include $30 to $100 per month as the professional monitoring charges.
2. Intruder Detection System
Hardware Costs
Similar to CCTV systems, the cost of a business alarm system varies with the type of sensors you’d like to have on the property. A premium motion detector transmitter will cost you between $100-$250 each, whereas a glass break detector costs between $200-$300 per piece. Thus, a combination of ten sensors can cost you up to $2,500.
Installation/ Set-up Costs
When it comes to the installation of intruder detection systems, some companies may offer to do it for free. But others may charge you $300 to $700, depending on the property size.
Monthly Recurring Costs
Similar to the surveillance systems, various security brands offer professional monitoring and response services for the detection systems. You can pay as low as $30 up to $100+ per month, depending on the business and system available.
However, you can combine the professional monitoring fees into a single package if using the same company for both the security cameras and intruder detection system.
3. Access Control System
Hardware Costs
An access control system with a basic entry mechanism can cost you from $400-$1,500 per door. Then, a sophisticated networked system can cost you from $2,000 to $8,000 per door, depending on the technology and number of employees.
Speaking of the employees, you’ll also need to purchase a key fob or access card for all the authorized users at $3 to $10 each.
Installation/ Set-up Costs
In many cases, the security company giving you the access control system will include in the quotation fees cost for the hardware and installation. If not, you can hire a separate technician at $100 or up for each door.
Monthly Recurring Costs
Similar to payments cards, your key card access system will have additional monthly fees of $10 to $100 for maintenance. And in case it’s a key fob system, there could be a staffing cost of $1000 to $5,000 per year (assuming the person earns $20/ hour).
4. Environmental Monitoring System
Hardware Costs
Technically, you can purchase an environmental monitoring system separately or as a full fire alarm system. The full kit will come with the sensors for smoke, carbon monoxide, water pooling, etc. And that will cost $1 to $3 per square foot (approximately $3,000-$9,000 in 3,000 sq. ft) for a basic system. Or $4 to $6 per square (i.e. up to $20,000 and more in a 5,000 sq. ft.) for a more complex system in a large commercial building.
If you prefer to purchase the equipment separately, a premium smoke detector can cost from $500 to $600+ per piece. Then, a fire pull station can cost up to $400/ piece, a heat/ thermal detector at $200-$700, and $4,000 for a power supply control panel.
Installation/ Set-up Costs
The cost to install a full fire system and all sensors usually vary with the property and the type of system at hand. Most companies also include it on the initial quotation, but the average figure is $1,500 for small businesses to $5,700 for large premises.
Monthly Recurring Costs
Indeed, the environmental monitoring systems also do incur a recurring cost for professional monitoring services. The fee will range between $50 to $250, depending on the size of the property and the total equipment in place.
5. Computer Security System
Hardware & Setup
Lastly, the cost for a medium-range business network firewall ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 in most cases. However, a full enterprise firewall (for large complex networks) can cost as high as $25,000 to $300,000 as per your business needs.
If you feel the above cost is too high, you can consider a managed firewall. And in this case, you’ll only pay a one-time setup cost of $400-$500, then a subscription payment of $150 to $300.
Monthly Costs
Similar to the other security systems, your hardware firewall system will require maintenance for optimal performance and results. So, there’s also a monthly labor cost of approximately $100 to $350 for the part-time personnel who’ll be managing the system for you.
Remember the Permit Fees
In conclusion, these are all one-time and monthly recurring charges for a complete security system for a business. And while it’d be great to invest in all of them at systems, you necessarily don’t have to do it all at once.
You can start with the most crucial ones like video surveillance and computer security. Then, add the rest later on as your business grows.
Even so, do remember security systems like alarms require a government permit, which has a minimal renewable fee.
If one of your alarms goes off without a permit, the local police may fail to respond to your call. And if it was a false alarm, you’ll be slapped with a higher penalty fee than the business with an alarm permit.
