High Costs, Low Coverage: How Agentic AI Is Rewriting the Security Budget

Summary

• Traditional guard staffing is costly and complex, with expenses including salaries, benefits, overtime, holiday pay, and ongoing training due to high turnover.
  
  
• These labor costs add up quickly, especially for businesses needing 24/7 coverage or multiple locations—yet guards still have physical limitations that create coverage gaps.
  
  
• Agentic AI or Agentic Security offers a scalable, cost-effective alternative, providing consistent, intelligent surveillance without the ongoing financial and operational burden of human staffing.

The Cost-Coverage Dilemma

No one wants to spend their money on a service that doesn’t work, or one that only works some of the time. One of the biggest pain points in the security industry today is pouring money into security systems that don’t drive results. When it comes to security, efficiency and reliability are keys to success. But more and more, companies are spending their money on security that misses important incidents, doesn’t deter unwanted behaviors, and is unreliable. Blind spots are still a problem, and crime is slipping through the cracks. 

Many businesses face a tricky dilemma: they want comprehensive security coverage, but they don’t have the budget to support their needs. Rather than getting 24/7, quality security coverage, they have to make concessions. Some of the trade-offs they end up having to make are:

• Fewer guards covering important areas, which leads to vulnerabilities and blind spots
• Choosing between day coverage and night coverage, leaving themselves susceptible to unwanted behaviors and crime for half of the day
• Investing in minimal fixed-camera systems, which is really only useful after someone has already done damage or committed a crime
• Delaying upgrades or technology improvements because the cost is too high upfront, even though it would save money in the long term
  
  

So, what options do companies have for upgrading their security efforts and technology without breaking the bank? 

The answer is: an agentic AI-driven mobile security unit—the budget-smart option for businesses seeking affordable, efficient security solutions.

Check out LVT’s agentic AI offerings here

Why Traditional Security Is Draining Your Budget

There was a time when traditional security measures were enough, mostly because it was the only option. Now, with new technologies leading the security industry, companies are losing money by sticking to old systems.

Guard Staff

Hiring, maintaining, and providing benefits for a full guard staff is one of the largest costs in a traditional security model. Along with providing hourly wages, there are other expenses that add up rather quickly. Some include:

• Base salaries; these can reach tens of thousands of dollars annually per person.
• Overtime and holiday pay; security guards are needed 24/7—not just during operational hours. This means that nights, weekends, and holidays often require overtime and can push labor costs 1.5-2x higher.
• Turnover and training; the cost of hiring, onboarding, and training new employees is a major cost, and turnover tends to be high in guard positions.

Infrastructure Costs

Along with outdated technology comes costly installation, repairs, and maintenance. Not only do old school CCTV and fixed cameras require special technicians, but they also require wiring and other up-to-code installation procedures that take time and can add up quickly, especially in older buildings.

Inefficiencies

Another downside of traditional security is the inefficiency of the systems and procedures. With many traditional security systems or services, you’re paying for coverage even during inactive hours or low-risk periods. How many times have you spotted a security guard sitting in their car, either snoozing or looking at their phone? I don’t blame them, especially when they’re sitting in an empty parking lot. Yet, for liability reasons or for general safety and security, you’re employing them because you think you have no other option.

Limited Coverage, Maximum Risk

Human guards and static systems can only monitor so much at once. While many security guards dutifully watch over properties, human error means missed incidents are inevitable. And it is these missed incidents that can lead to the greatest losses for any business—theft, liabilities, or safety violations are all risks you incur when leaning solely on traditional security measures. 

Enter Agentic AI: Smarter Security, Smarter Spending

Read on to learn more about how agentic AI improves security measures while simultaneously saving businesses money.

What is Agentic AI or Agentic Security?

Agentic AI refers to systems capable of acting independently—analyzing information, making decisions, and taking action without continuous human input. Unlike traditional AI, which depends on manual prompts or rigid programming, agentic AI has can "think" for itself. This means it can:

• Detect patterns and potential threats, then respond with the appropriate deterrence feature or alert
• Make informed decisions using both historical trends and real-time context
• Continuously learn from interactions to enhance future performance

This marks a major evolution from conventional AI, which mainly serves as a passive analytics tool—highlighting issues but relying on humans to determine what to do next.

How Do MSUs and Agentic AI Work in Physical Security?

Agentic AI enables mobile surveillance units to act intelligently without constant human oversight. So what does this mean for you as you’re looking for the ideal security setup that won’t be a huge cut out of the budget? Let’s go through our pain points above: 

Reduce Guard Spend

Save tens of thousands of dollars per month by augmenting or replacing your guard service with LVT. One customer saved more than $400k annually by reducing guard spend. Many feel hesitant to eliminate their guard service entirely, and you don’t have to! Even reducing your guards by a fraction will save you significant amounts of money annually. Choose your most effective guard(s) and cut down on the ones who are more of a liability than a help. 

LVT’s agentic AI security features augment your guards’ efforts by implementing automated deterrence features like a spotlight, strobe lights, and AI talk down, which identifies characteristics of what trespassers are wearing and calls them out automatically.

For example, if a bad actor in a black shirt and red ball cap triggers the loitering timer, the unit will automatically call down to them, “You in the black shirt and red hat—you are trespassing! Leave immediately!” The voice is realistic, not robotic, and gives the impression that a real person is watching. This can trigger the security guard to act appropriately without having the pressure of being everywhere at once. 

Eliminate Infrastructure Costs

LiveView Technologies (LVT) offers complete mobile surveillance units that can easily be moved from place to place and don’t require a fixed installation—plus, the agentic security AI-driven features are built into the software. We provide rapid deployment, meaning you can get your cameras up and running at your business or property within minutes of delivery—no wiring, pouring concrete, mounting poles, or contractor-induced headaches.

Say Goodbye to Inefficiencies 

Mobile security units like the ones offered by LVT are monitoring your property 24/7—and guess what? They’re not going to fall asleep or get distracted by Candy Crush. LVT Unit cameras are always watching, and they’ll only alert you when it’s really necessary. False alarms are a thing of the past—don’t worry about waking up at 3am to an alert about a cat or a racoon. Save time, money, and energy with automated deterrence features and sleep well at night knowing your business is being monitored for suspicious activity the whole night through.

Wondering what to look for in an MSU? Download our MSU Buyer's Guide

LVT’s MSU: A Budget-Conscious Powerhouse

So, how does it shake out that an LVT Unit can replace or supplement multiple guards and cameras? Let’s break it down. 

One armed security guard, 24/7 

• High ongoing costs: Between hourly wages, benefits, training, and liability insurance, guards are a long-term expense. On the high end, armed security guards can make more than $100,000 annually, which is more than you can expect to pay for comprehensive, automated coverage by an MSU. 
• Human limitations: Even the best-trained guards can only cover one area at a time and are prone to fatigue or distraction.
• Inconsistent effectiveness: Performance can vary depending on experience, alertness, and professionalism.
• Limited documentation: Most guards don’t have tools to capture and store real-time evidence unless paired with body cameras.

One LVT Unit

• Lower long-term cost: Eliminate payroll and HR expenses. Spend significantly less money annually to protect your business at a more comprehensive level. Avoid the cost that comes along with vandalism, shrink, cargo theft, loitering, and more.
• Forensic Search: Instead of manually scrubbing video to find the evidence you need, you can now use a keyword to locate relevant alert clips. This can save you days of searching through footage.
• 24/7 coverage: Operates continuously, regardless of weather, time of day, or staff availability.
• Automated deterrence: Built-in speakers, lights, and AI-driven alerts help prevent crime before it happens—without confrontation.
• Advanced analytics: AI-powered cameras detect unusual activity, recognize patterns, and trigger alerts in real time.
• Remote monitoring: Footage can be reviewed live or stored for evidence, with alerts sent directly to security teams or law enforcement.
• Rapid deployment: MSUs can be quickly repositioned to cover new areas or respond to emerging threats.
• Zero confrontation risk: Reduces liability by removing the need for direct human engagement in dangerous situations.
• Integrations: MSUs can integrate with existing security systems to prevent replacement costs.

The Bottom Line

LVT Units’ agentic AI features give you more security for less money. By shifting from reactive security to proactive security, you’re protecting your business on a greater scale than ever before while saving money at the same time.

Learn how agentic security with AI can modernize your security plan and stretch your budget further. Join the beta today and try it out on your property.

Request a demo here to learn more.