Are you considering upgrading your security system? Before deciding, it’s essential to understand the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)—a framework that calculates the full lifecycle cost of a security system, typically over 5-8 years.
Many businesses assume that security costs are mostly upfront, but in reality, only 30% of costs occur before the system is operational, while a staggering 70% is spent on ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and staffing.
So, how can businesses reduce costs while improving security performance?
Let’s compare two approaches:
The Traditional Security Approach: High Costs & Operational Struggles
Imagine an industrial facility with a perimeter wall, main building, and two storage out-buildings. Their existing security system has vulnerabilities, including outdated surveillance cameras, manual access control, and gaps in perimeter protection.
To improve security, management decides to:
- Purchase 10 new IP cameras
- Upgrade 3 doors with biometric access control
- Hire an additional security guard to monitor video feeds and patrol the premises
- Use multiple security vendors, each requiring separate software, logins, and training
Traditional Approach Cost Breakdown:
- Upfront Costs: R430 000 for 10 x IP cameras with cabling, 3 x biometric access doors with new server with HDD for video storage.
- Ongoing Costs: R17 000 month for additional guarding, maintenance, and repairs.
- TCO Over 5 Years: = R430 000 + (R17 000 x 60 months) = R1.45 million
Despite these significant investments, this setup still depends on human monitoring, making it reactive, prone to delayed responses, and vulnerable to human error = Priceless!
The ISSaaS Smart Security Approach: Enhanced security, Lower TCO, less hassle
Now, imagine the same business choosing ISSaaS by Advanced Infrastructure for their security systems upgrade instead. By leveraging the power of technologies such as artificial intelligence, data centre ‘Cloud’ services, off-site monitoring and proactive service delivery. From three flexible service tiers, they choose ISSaaS Advanced with tight Service Level Agreement (SLA) coverage ensuring 99% system uptime and 4hr response time to clear service interruptions.
They sit down with their ABEC AI account manager to choose security features from an array of options within systems of video surveillance, access control and smart sensors, that will be managed from a single cloud-based system, accessible via any PC browser or mobile app.
They decide to have 10 cameras installed on the building and perimeter, with AI analytics configured on 5 of those cameras, which will be monitored after-hours and over weekends, for early intrusion detection, loitering or unusual behaviour, which if triggered, will automatically notify an off-site 24hr control room, who then respond within 1 minute to armed response or on-site security (by following predefined instructions per device).
All cameras will have edge recording as well as cloud backups for data redundancy, in case a camera is stolen or damaged. The cameras all connect via a quality copper/fibre IP network to a POE switch, which links directly to the internet/cloud VMS, not requiring on-premises servers and hard-drives and associated risk of failure and theft.
On the three building doors, smart access controllers are installed for use by employees using physical or mobile credential biometric access. Each door access point is linked to a nearby camera to record and verify entries/exits. Alarms such as doors left/forced open will be detected and responded to within 1 min by the off-site control room.
If ever a device is damaged or loses power/internet connection, our Service Desk receives notification and responds with remote or on-site assistance within the SLA timelines to ensure system uptime. This is achieved through continuous system health monitoring via the cloud VMS.
ISSaaS Benefits:
- Greater reliability from real-time system health & security event monitoring
- No need for hiring and training of additional security guards and staff.
- No concerns about maintenance, warranties, breakages, slow call-out responses etc.
- Reduced operational strain, with lower risk of intrusion and losses due to the multiple layers of smart security systems.
ISSaaS Advanced includes:
- 10 AI-enabled cameras with advanced analytics for real-time threat detection and edge video storage.
- Cloud-based storage (30 days backup), eliminating the need for on-site servers & HDD.
- Smart access control, linked to surveillance to verify entries/exits.
- After-hours off-site monitoring & automated intrusion response
- Proactive maintenance & system health monitoring
Smart Approach Cost Breakdown:
- Upfront Costs: R0 – No capital expense
- Ongoing Costs: R15 000 per month for fully managed turnkey security-as-a-service
- TCO Over 5 Years: R900 000
Key Savings with ISSaaS:
- R550 000 in direct cost savings
- No need for extra security staff
- No maintenance or repair headaches
- Proactive threat detection reduces risk of loss
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Why Businesses Are Switching to ISSaaS
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership – Predictable Opex model, eliminating surprise expenses.
- AI-Powered Intrusion Detection – Faster response times, fewer security gaps
- No Human Error – Always on, never distracted
- Scalable & Future-Proof – No costly hardware replacements
With ISSaaS, security is no longer an expensive, high-maintenance burden—it’s a cost-effective, proactive, and smarter solution.
Are you ready to reduce costs and upgrade your security? Contact us to find out how ISSaaS can work for your business 👉
-Author, Harry Orr, Product and Service Offering Manager
