How Virtual Security Guard Works
With Virtual Security Guard,1 trained guards will monitor events when a person is detected by Ring's person detection feature on an enrolled device and act accordingly on your behalf.
How Virtual Security Guard works
Virtual Security Guard turns on when you arm your Ring system by setting the Mode to Home or Away.2 When the service is on, guards will begin monitoring your cameras when a person is detected.
To turn off Virtual Security Guard, set your Mode to Disarmed. When the service is off, guards won’t monitor camera motion events and can’t see Live View for those cameras.
When Virtual Security Guard is enabled and Ring’s person detection feature detects a person on an enrolled camera, an Event is triggered. During an Event, trained security guards will monitor the Live View of the detecting camera and, if necessary, the Live View of other enrolled devices at your property. Based on the situation and your alert preferences, the guard might do any of the following:
- Send you a text with a link to the Event recording
- Initiate Two-Way Talk (when a person is observed)
- Request dispatch of emergency services (e.g. fire, medical, or police)
Compatible Ring subscription required for digital arming/disarming and certain other in-app features.
Event Examples
Standard guard responses to events that may occur on your property when Virtual Security Guard is active.
Event Type | Description | Guard Response |
Common Event | A passerby is captured on the property. | Guard resolves the event without contacting the property owner. No text will be sent. |
Delivery or Service Worker on Property | A service worker or delivery person is on the property. | Guard uses Two-Way Talk to announce that the property is being monitored and sends a text with a link to a video recording of the event. |
Person on Property | A person is on the property that is not a service worker or delivery person. | Guard uses Two-Way Talk to announce that the property is being monitored and sends a text with a link to a video recording of the event. |
Person on Property Escalation | A person is still on the property after the guard engaged in Two-Way Talk. | Guard uses Two-Way Talk to announce that the property is being monitored and activates the device siren (if available)
Guard sends the property owner a text indicating that an event needs attention.
Guard calls all emergency contacts. |
Urgent Events | Package Theft or Property Damage is taking place. | Guard activates the device siren (if available) and requests to dispatch emergency services to the property.
Guard calls the property owner and emergency contacts.
Guard sends a text to property owner and emergency contacts, indicating that emergency services have been alerted with a link to a video recording of the event. |
Emergency Events | A life-threatening or violent situation is taking place. | Guard activates the device siren (if available) and requests to dispatch emergency services to the property. Guard calls the property owner and emergency contacts. Guard sends a text to property owner and emergency contacts, indicating that emergency services have been alerted with a link to a video recording of the event. |
Opt in to Extra Events
A Virtual Security Guard subscription includes 175 events for $99/month per location. Events don’t roll over to the next month, but reset at the start of each billing cycle. You can opt in to Extra Events to keep Virtual Security Guard active beyond your included events each month. Learn about Extra Events.
If you need more Events in your billing cycle, you can opt in to Extra Events for $0.99 per additional Event. If you use all the included Events in your plan’s billing cycle, and you did not opt in to Extra Events, the service will stop until your next billing cycle. At the start of your next billing cycle, the number of Events will restart, and the service will resume.
Manage your Extra Events preferences
To manage your Extra Events status and preferences, go to the Plans page of your Ring account and select Manage Extra Events.
Private Guard Response
Private Guard Response is a feature that works with Virtual Security Guard to give neighbors an alternative to police response for dispatch requests. Important note: Private Guard Response is an alternative to Police Response, however, it is not required. Police could still be dispatched at the guard’s discretion.
Triggering Guard Response dispatch
Private Guard Response security dispatch is available only to eligible customers in select areas under these circumstances:
- When a person remains on your propertyafter our specialist has used two-way talk and siren features, and emergency contacts cannot be reached.
- When a person is seen indoorsand emergency contacts cannot be reached to verify if access is authorized.
- When emergency situations are observedsuch as property damage, break-in attempts, or safety concerns requiring immediate intervention.
Removing Private Guard Response
Follow these steps to remove Private Guard Response:
Open the Ring app to the main dashboard.
Tap the menu (☰).
Tap Settings.
Tap Monitoring.
- TapVirtual Security Guard.
- TapManage More Settings.
- TapPrivate Guard.
- TapRemove Guard Info.
The Private Guard Response will be removed immediately, and you will go back to receiving police response.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a guard have access to my Live View?
- Guards can monitor your Live View during a camera motion event when your Mode is set to Home or Away and a person is detected by Ring's person detection feature.
- If an event occurs and a guard initiates Live View on one enrolled camera, they can then initiate Live View on any or all of your enrolled cameras at the same location until the event is resolved.
- Guards can only initiate Live View if there is a camera motion event on a device enrolled in Virtual Security Guard when there is a qualifying Event.
Important note: Guards do not have access to your Event History and can’t download, share, or save any videos.
How do I unsubscribe from Virtual Security Guard?
Learn how to cancel Virtual Security Guard.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Contact the dedicated Virtual Security Guard support line at 1-866-894-8282.