Somewhere between the Precogs that help prevent nearly all crime in Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller “Minority Report” and traditional security systems monitoring resides Los Angeles-based Elite Interactive Solutions (EIS).
Founded in 2007 by Aria Kozak, renowned for championing innovative security methods and technology, Elite is somewhat to monitored security systems what Tesla is to automobiles. Both embrace fresh approaches to decades-old practices.
Elite’s remote guarding combines people, processes and technology to provide powerful security, leveraging passive surveillance cameras into active and intelligent digital guards capable of alerting monitoring professionals of intruders or trespassers.
The firm’s highly trained security agents, located remotely in a centralized command center, use onsite cameras and audio speakers to ward off perpetrators and summon law enforcement if necessary.
In the interests of continuous improvement, Elite has instituted a Law Enforcement Advisory Board (LEAB) that provides a direct feedback loop from the on-the-ground first response teams.
Those teams include former police chiefs that confer regularly with Elite leadership to review, evaluate and enhance current practices and procedures to ensure effective response and law enforcement safety.
“We anticipated the difficulty of market penetration due to the transition of traditional offerings in security to technology-driven security,” says Kozak. “Our expectations have been met in that during the past several years the public is more aware of how artificial intelligence can simplify and improve the experience. Now we are perfectly situated to be the premier choice for analytics-based guarding of the future.”
EIS’ progressive approach captivated the attention of Police Dispatch Quality Award judges, allowing the company to be named 2019’s runner-up.
“We are honored to be a part of it and dedicated to educating the industry and moving technology forward. From a law enforcement perspective, receiving the PDQ Award sends a clear message that remote guarding is a highly valued and effective resource,” adds Kozak, who elaborates below.
How does Elite Interactive Solutions’ model differ from typical alarm companies, even those using video verification, in regard to false alarm reduction?
ARIA KOZAK: By utilizing our proprietary technology and processes, our company has eliminated false alarms and concurrently increased safety for first responders. Our excellent service level has generated a reputation with police allowing us to get priority response to our reported events. Elite Security’s proactive approach involves seeing incidents and/or crimes as they occur for immediate response and request for law enforcement services when warranted.
The industry considers video verification as a process to review a clip to confirm that an alarm is triggered onsite by an intruder. But these systems do not confirm that the threat has left or that police were dispatched. Our system takes the process to the next level with remote guarding. Our team is supported by a professionally trained command center agent, and once a live signal is confirmed our analytics show if the threat is gone or apprehended. Our agents serve as the eyes and ears of the first responders guiding them to safety. With remote guarding, agents are continuously monitoring a crime in progress and analyzing information in real-time and not verifying after the fact that a crime took place. Coupled with an industry-leading response time of 18 seconds, Elite has changed the game on how analytics-based video security can be handled.
Elite relies on the technological advancements within machine learning and artificial intelligence to drive results. When the company first got started, there were limited opportunities to utilize advance monitoring systems and processes as they were just starting out. With time, technology is getting smarter and faster. Our operations team has been both a driver and student of innovation within the security industry being on the forefront of how systems can be improved. We feel strongly that our team and time-tested business practices allow Elite a unique way to take advantage of the advancements.
How do you coordinate efforts between your installation and monitoring departments/personnel?
KOZAK: For effective installation, a team must first understand the forensic process and security design. The Elite engineering team designs the system correctly from the beginning of the project based on time-tested practices. Upon the completion of the implementation, our command center leadership reviews performance and follows the step-by-step checklist to ensure that systems function as prescribed for optimal customer satisfaction and protection. The true test of success within the installation and monitoring implementation process is how well we can communicate throughout the process to ensure seamless implementation and client program launches.
What are the advantages of operating your own monitoring command center rather than contracting with a third party?
KOZAK: Our overall goal in maintaining our own command center is that we have a vertically integrated infrastructure built and functioning to the necessary and unique specifications of the remote guarding solutions. Our industry-leading security services rely on us being able to effectively train our personnel and implement new technologies as they become available. The cost savings that we can extract from having smart systems and lower personnel count provides Elite an advantage in how the operation is handled daily. Additionally, by having our own central stations, Elite ensures that the police and customers get the right level of response without additional outside distractions.
Can you elaborate on EIS’ unique relationship with law enforcement?
KOZAK: Our Law Enforcement Advisory Board, or LEAB, meets with law enforcement executives nationwide to provide guidance and explain the differentiation of the remote guarding solutions to Elite’s clientele and first responders. The remote guarding solutions provide critical, real-time information that helps to safely guide law enforcement from the time they arrive to an event through the conclusion of the incident. The safety of responders is remote guarding’s most important advantage. LEAB members have worked with law enforcement agencies and communications centers for over a decade to reinforce the importance that calls from Elite’s remote guarding agents are verified incidents or crimes in progress. Law enforcement executives have enthusiastically endorsed this concept.
Do you believe your approach/plan should serve as a blueprint for other monitoring centers and alarm companies to follow?
KOZAK: Absolutely! We are a specialist in our space and have been honored by the law enforcement community repeatedly for the work that we have accomplished. The protection of both assets and the first responders is key to the safety and security within the industry. We believe that with our smarter systems we will have safer communities. It would take a tremendous effort to completely transition from the traditional model of security to a high technology solution. Elite is the top contender in carving the path for the future.
From an industry standpoint, how do you see police response to burglar alarm systems evolving?
KOZAK: We believe that over the last few years the commercial security solution has changed to a more technology-centric system. Traditional burglar alarms require a huge amount of resources from the first responders. The amount of time it takes to address false alarms from these older systems could be better utilized elsewhere to keep our streets safe. We believe that as public awareness for solutions such as the one that we provide has grown, the industry will adopt more smart systems.
