RIng added an extra layer of protection to the security cameras. It could be both.

A new subscription service allows users to add professional surveillance capabilities to their security cameras, allowing third-party monitoring services to peek into camera feeds when they detect movement. called Virtual Security Guard, this service is estimated to cost approximately $99 per month.

Below are details on this service, the corresponding Ring cameras, and when Virtual Security Guard will be available.

As noted above, Ring estimates the fee for Virtual Security Guard to be approximately $99 per month, but will vary depending on the number of cameras you wish to have professionally monitored. Ring is working with Rapid Response to launch this service, but plans to contract with other companies for specialized monitoring services. [However, to use Virtual Security Guard, you must be a Ring Alarm owner and subscribe to either Ring Protect Pro or Ring Plus.

Customers can request an invitation to try Virtual Security Guard starting today (September 28).

Virtual Security Guard works with almost all of Ring's home security cameras and video doorbells. Supported cameras include:

Ring Video Doorbell Pro

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2

Ring Video Doorbell Elite

Ring Video Doorbell Wired

Spotlight Cam Wired

Floodlight Cam Wired Pro

Floodlight Cam

Stick Up Cam Plug-In

Stick Up Cam Plug-In 29]

Stick Up Cam Wired

Floodlight Cam Wired Plus

Floodlight Cam Wired Pro Plug-In

Floodlight Cam Wired Plus Plug-In

Spotlight Cam Mount

When a subscriber signs up for the Ring Virtual Security Guard, he/she specifies which Ring Virtual Security Guard to sign up for in the Ring app, and which cameras to monitor in the Ring app. The Ring Alarm system is then armed (in either Home or Away mode) and notifies the alarm company when the camera detects motion.

Based on what the monitoring service sees, the company takes one of several actions, including using the camera's two-way talk feature, using a siren, or notifying emergency services.

According to Ring, security companies can only view live video once a motion event is triggered and cannot download, save, or share the video. They also cannot see the motion event if the camera is in unarmed mode.

By adding live camera monitoring services, Ring can differentiate Ring Alarm from other DIY home security systems. Other professionally monitored systems can notify authorities when motion is detected, but cannot actually see what is happening.

In that respect, Virtual Security Guard is similar to Deep Sentinel home security cameras, which also come with professional monitoring.