Providing a website for the monitoring of surveillance systems, namely residential and commercial security systems, security alarms, point of sale security systems with regard to cashiers and receipts, and fire alarms; providing a website that communicates with a user via network message or video and audio alerts in response to monitored activity of surveillance systems, namely residential and commercial security systems, security alarms, point of sale security systems with regard to cashiers and receipts, and fire alarms; providing a web site that features live camera images from at least one camera from at least one physical location for security purposes and access to, remote observation of, and control of a security system from at least one physical location; providing a website allowing a user to communicate with a security system over a network to adjust image capture settings, to update security system software and data, to edit customized workflows for camera-based security systems, including setting alarm activation parameters, automated monitoring settings, and automated communication settings for communication by a security system via a network message or video and audio alerts to security personnel