# Self Monitored Response Level

Self Monitored Response Flow allows your organization to receive alarm alerts directly, without any monitoring center involvement.

This provides the fastest possible notifications and gives you full control over how to respond, whether that means contacting emergency services, dispatching internal security, or logging the event for review.

Self Monitored alarms include the same core features as other response levels such as arming and disarming, incident grouping, multi-step responses, and pre-authenticated incident reports, with the flexibility to customize your own automated actions and notifications. You can choose to send alerts by SMS (required), email, or automated call, and optionally trigger outputs, BZ11 announcements, or AI Deterrence (Beta) without monitoring center involvement.

{% hint style="warning" %}

* Self Monitored alarms are not subject to the 15-alarm limit per site.
* A Self Monitored alarm remains active until it is resolved or automatically closes after 4 hours, ensuring full visibility and accountability.
  {% endhint %}

***

### Use cases

* **Internal Security Teams (SOC) -** For organizations with a Security Operations Center, self-monitoring enables immediate response. Alerts are delivered directly to your internal team for rapid triage and action.
* **Non-Emergency or Maintenance Events -** Ideal for scenarios that require attention but not police dispatch, such as Door Held Open (DHO), water leak sensors, or equipment malfunctions. Teams can take timely corrective action without needing to involve the monitoring center.

### Best practice

* Use Self Monitoring for events that require awareness but do not need external dispatch.
* Keep your internal contact list current to ensure alerts reach the right team members.
* Combine Self-Monitored flows with automated outputs, such as sirens or announcements, to enable faster on-site response.

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## Configuration

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms .**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select the Alarm site that you want to configure.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**On the left navigation, select Response.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**From the dropdown in the top right, select the Self Monitored response level.**

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><img src="/files/3x2R9PIhZ20lwu8N6Mm3" alt=""></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

### Response flow comparison

| Feature                           | Self-Monitored                                     | Verification Only                                                                                            | Standard / Immediate Dispatch                               |
| --------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Monitoring Center Involvement** | No                                                 | Yes                                                                                                          | Yes                                                         |
| **Who Reviews Events**            | Customer                                           | Monitoring Agent                                                                                             | Monitoring Agent                                            |
| **Police Dispatch**               | Customer                                           | No (Can request via the incident link)                                                                       | Yes                                                         |
| **Typical Use Case**              | Internal SOC handling, maintenance-related sensors | Use when you want an agent to verify camera activity (person present or not) without dispatching authorities | High-risk or emergency areas that require a police response |


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