By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Why CCTV alone is not enough at night
CCTV records a break-in. It rarely stops one. Most shop and office burglaries happen between midnight and dawn, and by the time the owner sees the footage the next morning, the stock or laptops are gone. An intrusion alarm reacts the moment a shutter is lifted or a door opens: a loud siren, calls and app alerts to the owner, and a camera clip so you can see whether it is real.
The parts of a business alarm
| Device | Where it goes | What it detects |
|---|---|---|
| Shutter sensor | Bottom of rolling shutters | Shutter being lifted |
| Door contact | Main, rear and fire-exit doors | Door opening |
| Motion detector | Inside the shop or office, covering routes to valuables | Movement inside when armed |
| Glass-break detector | Rooms with large glass fronts or windows | Sound of breaking glass |
| Vibration sensor | Safes, cash lockers, shared walls | Drilling or hammering |
| Siren and strobe | Outside, high up, and one inside | Alerts neighbours and scares intruders |
| Control panel and keypad | Inside, near the main entrance | Arms and disarms; sends alerts |
Arming, zones and staff
- Give each staff member who opens or closes a personal code or tag, so the log shows who armed and disarmed.
- Use zones: the server room or cash room can stay armed while the rest of the office is open.
- Set a short entry delay at the main door only; every other door alarms instantly.
- Have the panel send an alert if the shop is not armed by a set time.
- Choose a panel with backup battery and a SIM or dual-path connection so it alerts even if the internet is cut.
Avoiding false alarms
False alarms make people ignore real ones. Most come from motion detectors facing windows, AC vents or hanging banners, rats in the false ceiling, and staff who forget codes. Use detectors suited to the room, avoid pointing them at moving objects, keep shutter sensors properly aligned, and train staff. Linking the alarm to CCTV lets you check a clip on your phone before rushing to the shop at 2 am.
CCTV motion detection and alerts →Who responds?
In most small businesses the alarm calls the owner and one or two others, in order, until someone answers. In markets with a night watchman, give the watchman the alarm number too. Larger offices can link the alarm to a monitoring service or the building security desk. Agree in advance who goes to the site, and never go alone into a building where the alarm is real; call the police on 112.
Security guards, CCTV and remote monitoring →Typical layouts
| Premises | Typical devices |
|---|---|
| Single shop, one shutter | Shutter sensor, rear door contact, 1–2 motion detectors, outdoor and indoor siren |
| Showroom with glass front | Door contacts, glass-break detectors, 3–4 motion detectors, vibration sensor on safe |
| Small office, one floor | Main and fire-exit door contacts, motion detectors in corridors and server room, siren |
Worked example
A mobile phone shop in Malleshwaram had CCTV but lost stock twice when its rear door was forced at night. We added a shutter sensor, rear door contact, two motion detectors, a vibration sensor on the display safe, and an outdoor siren with strobe. The panel calls the owner and a family member and sends a camera clip. Four months later, an attempt on the rear door set off the siren within seconds and the intruders left without entering.
Quick answers
Do shops need an alarm if they have CCTV?+
CCTV records; an alarm reacts. Together they deter, alert and record.
Will the alarm work if the power or internet is cut?+
A good panel has a backup battery and a SIM connection, so it still sounds and alerts.
Can staff arm the alarm from their phones?+
Yes. Most panels support app, keypad and tag arming with a log of who did it.
How do we avoid false alarms?+
Correct detector placement, pet- or pest-resistant settings, and trained staff. CCTV verification helps.
Can the alarm call the police automatically?+
Panels call nominated phone numbers. The owner or a monitoring service then calls the police.