CENTRAL STATIONS
THE EVOLUTION OF AI IN MONITORING
With artificial intelligence making a difference in all corners of security, the technology is also changing how alarms are monitored and dispatched
By Andrew Snook
The use of AI continues to grow and evolve in the security industry, as it has been doing in most sectors, and it is beginning to change the way companies manage their operations.
Advanced technologies have been used for some time to recognize objects in videos such as suspicious people and vehicles, and in audio for security voice-downs and listening for key sounds such as gunshots or arguing. But more recently, AI has evolved into performing far more complicated tasks in the security monitoring space.
“AI can interpret, talk to you, do everything that an operator could do in the central station,” explains Cliff Dice, CEO of DICE Corp.
“If an operator is handling an alarm, the AI can be talking to the subscriber, call dispatch simultaneously, call responding parties, can
“Eventually, you’ll have a bot talking to a bot to dispatch the alarm.”
— Cliff Dice,DICE Corp.
get your cancellation codes, to name just a few items. It can do a service ticket to a dealer while determining if the subscriber needs help. It can do everything in the monitoring centre without a human — or helping a human be faster and more effective.”
Humans are transitioning from their previous tasks to becoming supervisors who oversee the bots that are interacting with people contacting the alarm monitoring companies. In the case of DICE, the company is collecting audio
streams and training the bots themselves.
“We look at it like the bot is running the show and the humans are then monitoring the bots,” Dice says. “The other thing that we can do is when we deliver alarms to operators, the bot is listening to the phone call and working the screen for the human, kind of like a co-pilot does in an aircraft for the pilot. So, even if you have to take the call because it’s outside of the norm, the bot can listen in and do some of your functionality on the computer automatically.”
Steve Reinharz, CEO and CTO of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) and Robotic Assistance Devices Inc. (RAD), says his company’s agentic AI, SARA, is performing the same work as call centre operators but with greater efficiency.
“It does things humans simply cannot. It works at scale, is never tired, never distracted,
and that is why it will drive change across security and every other industry,” Reinharz says.
Dan Small, president of Armstrongs (a Becklar company), one of the largest monitoring companies in Canada, says his company uses a blended approach when it comes to the roles of AI and humans.
“The past number of years we’ve had our AI systems listening and understanding hundreds of thousands of calls and learning. We now use AI to assist the operator in analyzing calls and then understanding what is an emergency and getting it to an operator, a human being, to act as quickly as possible,” Small says.
He adds that using AI to reduce response times and ensure that staff are dealing with actual emergency situations is a big benefit of the technology. Another advantage is on the video monitoring side for improving customer service and reducing false alarms.
“With our partners, we’re utilizing AI to reduce the false alarms, to learn what is a paper bag blowing in the wind compared to a human analyzed that is carrying a weapon. That again is reducing false alarms and unwanted or unneeded calls or contacts being reached out to,” Small says.
DICE is already working with police departments in Michigan that are using bots to answer alarm calls at the 911 centre, helping to reduce the use of 911 dispatchers, which will at some point reduce the need for ASAP to PSAP type interfaces since bots are capable of data exchange.
“The alarm operator calls the police department, and the bot is answering saying, ‘Do you have an alarm? What is the address? What is the name of the customer? What kind of an alarm is it?’ They’re using bots to actually answer phone calls,” Dice says. “Eventually, you’ll have a bot talking to a bot to dispatch the alarm. That’s kind of where we’re at today.”
Reinharz recently took a call with a small department of less than 20 officers in Florida, a mid-sized department of about 100 officers in Michigan, and a large department of about 950 officers in Tennessee, to receive feedback on his company’s agentic AI sending calls out to the police. He says all three departments had similar positive feedback.
“It was intelligible. It wasn’t emotional. I got the data that I needed. I was able to repeat it. There was no superfluous stuff. Clearly, that’s what I want in order to make my judgment of how to react,” Reinharz recalls. “From that perspective, I see at least some, maybe most, police departments embracing this. And then on top of that, they have their own technology that they’re using with the Axon bodyworn cameras, where they’re starting to run those things through AI to do everything from post-patrol licence plate recognition or even active licence plate recognition. Or, in some
jurisdictions where it’s allowed, facial recognition, looking for different things.”
Growing pains
One of the biggest challenges in growing the scope of AI applications in the security industry, as in other sectors, is ensuring the right data is being input into training the AI.
In the case of DICE, the company has been collecting terabytes of dispatch information for years so that they would have a learning model. They started their AI development years ago in collecting the necessary data, and training their own AI-learnable engines.
“Now, we’re investing in our own infrastructure of GPUs and cooling systems so that we can run our own AI in our own centres with our own learnable data,” Dice explains. “I think it’s going to be hard for some others to train AI to serve the alarm industry correctly. They’re going to rely upon other AI providers to supplement what they’re doing which might not work as well.”
Another challenge that could slow down the rise of AI in the security industry is the speed at which it is integrated into equipment. Small believes it will take a little more time for the physical equipment, whether it’s security or video, to have AI technologies integrated into it, so companies can take advantage.
“Is a motion detector just going to be a motion detector in a few years? No, I think it’s going to have some sort of AI in the motion detector. What is that technology, and how soon can our industry get that out there? Right now, predominantly, what I see is we’re using AI currently to respond to the information we’re given, whether that’s a signal voice call or a video,” Small says. “If we can get AI to handle some of that before it ever gets to the monitoring video centre, I think that would be helpful and probably where it’s going to progress to.”
An easy sell?
With most companies viewing security as a necessary expense – or one they don’t really want to spend a lot of extra money on – could convincing them to replace existing hardware that’s still operational be a difficult task? Small doesn’t think so. He says that if AI reduces unwanted dispatches of police or guards, while reducing the false alarm rates and helps streamline operations, it will show its value.
“Of course, there’s going to be a threshold there, and, like anything, it will take volume and numbers for the price to come down. At some point it will meet, but I think there are financial benefits to AI as well for the consumer,” Small says. “Also, AI, particularly through video, is going to create solutions that save companies more money every month rather than service costs, increasing ROI.”
For customers who only want to spend the
minimum on security, AI allows for a tremendous amount of performance productivity to be delivered for a small price, Reinharz says.
“Customers will be more engaged in their security, relationships will improve, and outcomes will strengthen. The industry will become more effective overall, delivering better security and happier clients in the years ahead,” he says.
The future of AI
At some point in the future, Dice believes AI will be embedded into all security products, including within the hardware, at the user end, and within the monitoring centres.
“The monitoring centre started out as very people orientated, very labour intensive. AI is changing that. It already had been changing to where the human was being less needed in automation,” he says. “With SMSes, calls and other things, it was already converting to be a software-based call centre, not an operator or human base. AI just takes it one step further. It removes a lot of human capacity… not only for the operators, but also for customer service management. All sorts of things can be moved to AI and done that way.”
The roles of security guards on sites will also continue to evolve with the rise of AI, as well as other technologies that are already being utilized on some sites.
“We will always need physical guards to some extent in our industry. But with labour shortages, if we can utilize the ones that are there to actually be responding to things they need to respond to... that’s only a benefit to everyone involved,” Small says.
“We’re using AI with drones now with guards and allowing the drone and the camera to determine if there’s possible illegal activity going on, and allowing us then to get the guard to that location in a timely manner by guiding them there. It’s very interesting technology. So again, it’s a blended approach,” Small adds.
One of the most important aspects for security companies to consider when adopting AI is that it is not an add-on to existing systems, it is something else entirely, Dice notes.
“AI isn’t something you can tack on to the old way you used to do monitoring with people. You have to approach it from a different viewpoint. And so, the monitoring application is quite a bit different,” he says. “You can’t necessarily bolt AI on to the old ways of running software and automation. I think you’re going to see panel manufacturers and other IoT device manufacturers look at it as they’re building new devices, they’ll start building devices around AI technology, versus trying to give a feature here or there. I think the biggest change you’ll see is hardware systems, smart home systems, alarm panels, start being built around AI, and they won’t even resemble what they do today.”
Becklar Remote Guarding: The Future of Business Security
In 2025, businesses face evolving security challenges that demand innovative solutions. Traditional security measures, while effective in certain scenarios, often fall short in providing comprehensive, cost-effective protection. Enter Becklar Video Remote Guarding—a cuttingedge approach that integrates advanced technology with human oversight to deliver unparalleled security for businesses of all sizes.
What Is Becklar Video Remote Guarding?
Becklar Video Remote Guarding transforms conventional security systems into proactive, real-time deterrents. By combining high-definition video surveillance with artificial intelligence (AI) and live monitoring, Becklar enables businesses to detect and respond to potential threats before they escalate. This system offers:
• AI-Powered Detection: Utilizing advanced analytics to identify unusual or suspicious activities.
• Live Video Intervention: Security specialists can assess situations in realtime and engage directly with potential intruders.
• Immediate Response: Swift communication from our highlytrained remote guarding specialists with law enforcement or emergency services when necessary.
This proactive approach ensures that security is not just reactive but anticipatory, addressing issues before they become incidents.
Advantages Over Traditional Security
While traditional security solutions such as on-site guards and patrols have their place, they come with inherent limitations:
• Limited Coverage: Guards can only monitor specific areas at a time.
• Human Error: Fatigue and distractions can impair a guard’s effectiveness.
• High Costs: Continuous staffing and training requirements lead to significant expenses.
Becklar Remote Guarding overcomes these challenges by offering:
• 24/7 Surveillance: Continuous monitoring without the need for physical presence on-site.
• Scalability: Easily adaptable to businesses of all sizes and industries.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduced need for on-site personnel and associated expenses.
• Expanded Visibility: Monitor even the most remote areas of a site.
Tailored Solutions for Diverse Industries
Becklar Video Remote Guarding understands that each industry has unique security needs. Our remote guarding solutions are customizable to fit various sectors including, but not limited to the following:
• Retail: Protecting inventory and deterring shoplifting.
• Construction: Securing sites against vandalism and theft.
• Healthcare: Ensuring patient and staff safety in sensitive environments.
• Warehousing: Monitoring large facilities and preventing unauthorized access.
By leveraging AI and real-time monitoring, remote guarding provides industry-specific solutions that enhance security and operational efficiency.
Proven Results
The effectiveness of Becklar Video Remote Guarding is evident in its track record:
• Over 10,000 incidents prevented annually.
• More than 30,000 cameras monitored.
• Over $10 million saved in theft and damages.
These statistics highlight Becklar’s commitment to delivering tangible security outcomes for businesses across North America.
Why Choose Becklar?
Becklar Video Remote Guarding stands out as a leader in the security industry due to its:
• Innovative Technology: Integration of AI and live monitoring for proactive security.
• Expertise: Over 40 years of experience in providing wholesale monitoring services.
• Comprehensive Support: Offering a robust marketing portal and dealer resources to enhance client engagement.
By partnering with Becklar and adding remote guarding to their security mix, businesses gain access to a trusted security solution that evolves with emerging threats and technological advancements.
NBG Telecom, Lanvac Surveillance, and Numera bring Libris 3 “Aura” to Canada
NBG Telecom proudly becomes the first distributor to offer the Libris 3 “Aura” by Numera in Canada — a next-generation personal emergency response system (mPERS) designed for safety, wellness, and independence. In partnership, Lanvac Surveillance stands as the first Canadian monitoring center to integrate this advanced solution into its ULC-certified 24/7 platform. Together, these three leaders are redefining mobile personal safety for Canadian families, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Introducing Libris 3 “Aura”: Safety, Wellness, and Elegance in One Device
The Libris 3 “Aura” is an all-in-one mobile solution that combines industry-leading fall detection, LTE mobile connectivity, realtime voice communication, and an extended battery life — all packed into a sleek, compact design. Built for ease of use, it offers clear tactile buttons, simplified indicators, and dual wear options (lanyard or belt clip), making it ideal for seniors, individuals working in isolation, or anyone with increased safety concerns.
Unlike older devices, “Aura” uses a barometric sensor to better detect vertical movement and reduce false alerts. It also intelligently switches to low-power mode when near its charging beacon at home, extending the indoor battery life up to 72 hours, with 20 hours outdoors.
Powered by Canada’s Most Trusted Monitoring Network
All Libris 3 “Aura” devices sold by NBG Telecom are professionally monitored by Lanvac Surveillance, Canada’s leader in ULCcertified monitoring. With three fully redundant monitoring centers across the country, Lanvac guarantees 24/7 emergency response, including direct dispatch to medical, fire, or police services. Each alert is handled by trained Canadian operators who respond quickly and compassionately — ensuring peace of mind for users and their families.
In addition, users and caregivers can take advantage of the Lanvac. mobi companion platform, giving them real-time access to:
• Fall detection alerts
• Location and signal history
• Test mode and reporting tools
• Multi-user access and account management
Canadian Launch Offer: Only at NBG Telecom
To mark this important launch, NBG Telecom is offering the Libris 3 “Aura” Kit at a special promotional price of $175 CAD. The kit includes:
• Libris 3 “Aura” device (Black/Silver or Black/Gold)
• Pre-configured SIM card
• Charging cradle and power adapter
• Lanyard and belt clip
This offer is exclusive to Canadian customers and available for a limited time only.
Backed by Three Leaders in Protection
Numera brings the innovation, NBG Telecom makes it accessible, and Lanvac Surveillance ensures it’s always protected. Together, they deliver a Canadian-first solution that puts personal safety, dignity, and connectivity at the forefront. Whether you’re purchasing for a loved one or for yourself, the Libris 3 “Aura” represents the future of mobile safety — and it’s now proudly available in Canada.
Certified for the Highest Standards of Safety and Reliability
Lanvac Surveillance is proud to operate one of Canada’s only fully ULC-certified monitoring networks, with certification extending to both its proprietary software and all three of its national monitoring centers. This distinction confirms compliance with ULC requirements — the benchmark for safety, reliability, and performance in professional monitoring.
ULC certification means that every component of Lanvac’s infrastructure, from data handling to emergency dispatch protocols, undergoes rigorous third-party testing and audits. It validates that Lanvac maintains industry-leading operational standards, redundant systems, and consistently trained operators. In practice, this ensures that every Libris 3 Aura alert is trusted, compliant, and professionally maintained, delivering dependable emergency monitoring 24/7 across the country.
To learn more or place an order, visit nbgtele.com or call 1 833 624 8353.
How ECAM’s Hybrid Intelligence Redefines Central Station Video Monitoring
The modern central station landscape demands robust monitoring while controlling resources. Challenges such as false alarms, operator fatigue, and increasing service demands continue to put pressure on traditional monitoring models. ECAM’s innovative approach to live video monitoring addresses these issues by integrating artificial intelligence with human expertise, creating new possibilities for central station service delivery across North America.
The Evolution Beyond Traditional Monitoring
The security industry has shifted from passive surveillance to proactive threat detection. ECAM now boasts North America’s largest footprint of monitored mobile and permanent surveillance units following the strategic combination of GardaWorld’s ECAMSECURE and Stealth Monitoring businesses, giving ECAM unmatched deployment flexibility and data insights.
Traditional CCTV monitoring relied on post-incident analysis, leaving properties vulnerable during critical moments. ECAM’s approach combines artificial intelligence with human expertise to create a hybrid intelligence model that identifies and responds to threats in real-time.
The Hybrid Intelligence Advantage: AI + Human Monitoring
ECAM’s AI-powered analytics work hand in hand with trained security operators to deliver smarter monitoring. The system analyzes video feeds in real time, separating routine activity from potential threats and ensuring the right response at the right time.
This workflow includes:
• AI continuously monitors video feeds
• Algorithms flag unusual activity
• Human operators verify in real time
• False alarms reduced; genuine threats prioritized
“Our Ontario Central Station operations exemplify the future of security monitoring,” explains Mitch McIntyre, Director of Monitoring Operations at ECAM. “By integrating AI pre-filtering with our experienced operators’ judgment, we’ve significantly reduced false alarm rates while improving response times to genuine incidents. This technology doesn’t replace human intelligence—it amplifies it.”
The system’s immediate intervention capabilities through twoway audio communication and controlled lighting systems allow operators to actively deter criminal activity before it escalates.
Diverse Industry Applications
ECAM offers proactive remote video surveillance across Canada’s diverse commercial landscape, serving multiple vertical markets with unique security challenges.
Construction sites benefit from ECAM’s mobile surveillance units, rapidly deployed and relocated as projects evolve. Canada’s ongoing infrastructure development makes proactive monitoring essential for protecting valuable equipment and materials.
Multifamily residential properties leverage ECAM’s permanent installations to enhance tenant safety. Canadian urban centers are integrating advanced technology for enhanced safety, with ECAM’s solutions providing 24/7 monitoring that strengthens onsite security and enhances tenant peace of mind.
Commercial properties utilize ECAM’s comprehensive monitoring to protect inventory and deter criminal activity while providing documented evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Central Station Integration Benefits
ECAM’s solutions offer significant operational advantages for central station operators. The AI-enhanced platform integrates seamlessly with existing monitoring infrastructure, allowing stations to expand service capabilities without proportional staffing increases.
Intelligent alert prioritization reduces operator fatigue by filtering routine activities and focusing attention on genuine security events, enabling central stations to handle larger client portfolios while maintaining service quality standards.
Looking Forward
ECAM leads in AI-driven live surveillance, combining innovation and expertise to deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable security solutions. As ECAM continues to advance its proprietary AI platform, new features and updates will be introduced to deliver an even more proactive and intelligent approach to security. “The security landscape is evolving rapidly, and businesses need partners who can adapt and innovate alongside them,” states Mitch McIntyre. “Our central station combines cutting-edge AI technology with proven human expertise to deliver comprehensive protection. When companies trust ECAM with their security, they’re investing in peace of mind and intelligent security solutions.”
For central station operators seeking to differentiate services and improve operational efficiency, ECAM’s AI-enhanced video monitoring represents a proven solution addressing today’s challenges while positioning for tomorrow’s opportunities.
To learn more about ECAM’s central station integration solutions, schedule a consultation with our experts at ecam.com to see how AI-powered monitoring can transform your central station operations.
The command center advantage
Built on years of experience in security integration and guarding, Sirix was founded in 2016 with a clear mission: to create a true Command Center dedicated to video monitoring. What began as the operation of an existing facility evolved into a new generation of proactive, technology-driven protection. Today, that same expertise fuels a remote video monitoring and site management command center designed exclusively for security dealers and guarding agencies. We operate as a wholesale partner, never selling directly to end-users and never interfering in your client relationships. Instead, we strengthen them. Dealers and integrators gain access to our command center, plus a full suite of white-label sales tools, brochures, one-pagers, proposals, co-branded visuals, to help your team win more contracts and grow recurring monthly revenues. Whether you manage 10 sites or 10,000, Sirix grows with you.
Proudly Canadian. Globally advanced.
Competitors highlight Canadian ownership. Sirix goes further: we’re Quebec-based innovators, leading the shift from reactive alarms to proactive video intelligence. Every year, our command center processes millions of video events across North America, proving Canadian expertise can set the pace for global monitoring standards. With 24/7 bilingual operators and an expanding suite of AI integrations, we deliver security that is local in accountability yet international in reach.
Real-world proof.
Sirix thrives in all industry sectors: car dealerships, construction sites, retail stores, commercial buildings, truck yards, and parking lots, but our adaptability goes far beyond these common use cases. With 20+ cloudbased AI analytics and customizable Conditional AI rules (if/then/else scenarios), we tailor monitoring to any
situation. Here are just a few examples: 1. Hybrid remote concierge
In multi-residential settings, security is both hospitality and protection. Sirix operators verify visitors, manage deliveries, and answer intercoms: entrances for access, elevators for emergencies. Staff cover days, Sirix protects nights. Residents feel safer, managers save on staffing, and incidents are resolved in real time, 24/7.
2. Parking lot monitoring: Overtime & attendance tracking
For public, commercial, and multiresidential lots, our AI captures each vehicle’s make, model, and license plate to detect overstays or unauthorized parking. When a vehicle exceeds its allowed time, an alarm is triggered at the Sirix Command Center, where operators verify the situation in real time and follow each client’s specific SOPs, whether that means notifying on-site guards, management, or dispatching local enforcement. The result: fewer violations, improved parking turnover, and safer, bettermanaged lots without the need for constant on-site supervision.
3. Jewellery store smash-and-grab defense
When seconds count, Sirix operators remotely trigger fogging devices after alarm verification, instantly blinding intruders and stopping theft in its tracks. A clear example of AI-powered detection plus human intervention preventing high-value losses.
4. Manufacturing: Early detection of bus battery overheating
In the manufacturing sector, a single overheating battery can halt production or spark costly damage. Using AI-based thermal video analytics, Sirix detects rising temperatures before they reach critical levels. When an alert triggers, our operators verify the alarm, assess the feed, and follow the client’s standard operating procedures, notifying staff or dispatching responders as required. The result: faster reaction times, minimized downtime, and safer facilities without interrupting operations.
The command center of the future. Sirix isn’t another monitoring company promising “trust” or “redundancy.” We deliver measurable results, sectorspecific protection, and scalable innovation. Our partners know their clients are safer, their operations run smoother, and their reputation grows stronger.
AI-powered detection. Humanpowered response. Sirix is your command center for the threats of today and tomorrow.
Questions or projects in mind? Contact our team at: info@sirixmonitoring.com
Many people take security for granted, until something happens. An after-hours break-in. A destructive fire. A life-threatening emergency. Preparing for the unexpected is our world at Security Response Center.
Our number one priority is keeping your customers safe and secure at all times.
Our highly skilled and experienced, our security professionals are trained in all areas of residential, commercial, and industrial security monitoring.
All Monitoring Staff are TMA 5 Diamond Certified, and our Company has been U.L.C Listed for Burglary, Fire Protection Systems, Central Station Sprinkler Supervisory and Bank Safe and Vault Protection.
In addition, we are a Manitou Elite Certified Monitoring Center dedicated to motivating our staff, getting more from our monitoring operations, and maximizing our success.
Through SRC, you can offer your customers exceptional service and value. In fact, our standard monitoring price covers many features that others charge extra for.
As an independent verified full-service provider, SRC meets or exceeds Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada’s stringent standards for security monitoring of residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
Our monitoring services include:
• Supervisory Signals
• Intrusion Alarms
• Fire Alarms
• Medical Alarms
• Video Monitoring
We Monitor Your Way — Using Cutting-Edge Technology and Industry-Leading Software
Since our founding in the Greater Toronto Area in April 1983, a.p.i. Alarm Inc. has been a trusted name in alarm monitoring and support services. For more than four decades, we’ve evolved from a regional provider into a nationwide operation, delivering comprehensive monitoring solutions to alarm dealers and their customers across Canada.
Our robust infrastructure and dedication to advanced technology enable us to support over 3,000 alarm dealers and their clients with exceptional reliability. With a team of more than 200 highly trained professionals, we oversee upwards of 500,000 accounts around the clock, operating through multiple ULC/UL, CSAA, and Five Diamond–certified monitoring centers strategically positioned throughout the country.
At a.p.i. Alarm Inc., we recognize the distinct needs of independent alarm dealers. As your monitoring partner, we offer a suite of sophisticated services designed to strengthen your operations and elevate your customer experience:
• Video Verification: Live video streaming to validate alarms and ensure accurate, timely responses.
• PERS & M-PERS: Personal and mobile emergency response systems for added safety and reassurance.
• Two-Way Voice: Direct, real-time communication with our monitoring stations for immediate assistance during alarm events.
• Billing on Behalf: Streamlined billing services managed for you, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
• CRM Integrations: Smooth integration with your CRM platforms to optimize workflow and efficiency.
• IoT Device Monitoring: End-to-end monitoring for a wide range of IoT devices, expanding your service capabilities.
• Industry-Leading Dealer Support: Dedicated, responsive support to help your business thrive.
• ULC Shared Certificate Services & Hosted Station Solutions: Access to high-level monitoring and certification services to maintain compliance and dependability.
We are committed to protecting the reputation of your business and ensuring you maintain complete control. From answering calls in your company’s name to offering full access to real-time customer data, our services are built to keep you positioned as a leader in your market.
