Physical guarding vs. CCTV system: What will truly protect your property?

One of the most frequent questions we hear from companies is: “Wouldn’t cameras be enough for us?” It is a legitimate question: a camera system costs a one-off 50 000-200 000 Kč, whereas physical guarding can cost you a similar sum every month.

Short answer: it depends on what you want to achieve. The long answer is below.

What physical security can do that a camera cannot

1. Immediate response The camera records. The guard intervenes. If an intruder knows there is no one physically on site, the camera will not deter them; it will only record them.

2. Prevention vs. Documentation The physical presence of security guards is a visible deterrent. Cameras are excellent for documenting incidents after they occur, but they do not prevent the incident itself.

3. Complex situations Fire, medical incident, conflict between individuals, these are situations a camera can see but not resolve. A guard is trained in first aid, evacuation and communication with emergency services.

4. Customer presence In shops, reception areas or at events, the physical presence of security is part of the overall impression. It contributes to customers’ sense of safety.

What a camera system can do that physical guarding cannot

1. Continuous surveillance without lapses in attention Humans get tired, need breaks and can be distracted. An AI camera, correctly configured, tirelessly monitors defined parameters 24/7.

2. Coverage of large areas at low operating costs The system of 20 cameras covers the entire site. The equivalent physical guarding would be a team of 10+ guards per shift.

3. Records and Evidence In the event of an incident, legal dispute or insurance claim, video footage is indispensable. Physical security usually does not maintain its own recordings.

4. AI analytics Modern detection systems identify movement anomalies, unattended items and entry into restricted zones, alerting the control centre in real time without anyone needing to constantly monitor screens.

Hybrid model: Why this is most often the right answer

The combination of physical guarding and technology is not just a compromise. It is synergy:

Practical example of savings

Classic physical warehouse security 24/7:

• 3 guards on rotation = ~3 × 35 000 Kč = 105 000 Kč/month

Hybrid solution:

• AI camera system: installation 120 000 Kč (one-off), operation 3 000 Kč/month
• 1 guard during the day + remote monitoring at night: ~40 000 Kč/month
• Total: ~43 000 Kč/month + installation amortisation

Savings: 62 000 Kč/month while maintaining the same or higher level of security.

AI cameras in 2026: What actually works

Not all cameras are the same. The key difference lies in analytics:

Basic cameras (recording)

• Records what happened
• No analytics, no alerting
• It depends on the person monitoring the recordings.

AI cameras (edge computing)

• Analytics directly in the camera (Hanwha, Axis, Dahua AI series)
• Detection: motion, intrusion, abandoned items, people counting, facial recognition
• Automatic alert upon anomaly detection
• Significantly reduce the need for live monitoring.

Conclusion: How to decide

Physical security is essential if:

• You have a high risk (jewellery shops, cash handling, VIP persons).
• You require an immediate physical response on site.
• The property has frequent public interactions.

A CCTV system is sufficient if:

• The premises are closed outside working hours and access is controlled.
• The risk is low to medium.
• This primarily concerns documentation and deterrence.

A hybrid solution is ideal if:

• Want to reduce costs without compromising security?
• You have a large area to cover.
• Different parts of the building have different risk levels.

Not sure what is right for your property? We will prepare a security analysis free of charge and recommend an optimal tailor-made solution.