Abstract: A system and method for distributed monitoring and remote verification of conditions surrounding an alarm condition in a security system. A security gateway detects alarm conditions at a premises and records video relating to the alarm condition. The security gateway transmits an alarm notification and the video across a network to a security system server in substantially real time. The security system server relays information to one or more distributed monitoring clients using rules-based routines for verification of the alarm condition. An operator at a monitoring client determines whether the alarm condition represents an actual alarm event and activates an appropriate response.