The present invention relates to an evacuation route monitoring system for monitoring an evacuation route having an escape door. To provide protection against unauthorized passage and/or actuation of an escape door, an evacuation route monitoring system having an escape door is specified, which comprises a monitoring unit, which monitors a predefined escape door security area, which is situated directly in front of the escape door, and which outputs at least a local signal if an object is present in the escape door security area. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring an evacuation route having at least one escape door, in which an escape door security area of the evacuation route is predefined in front of the escape door, this area is monitored in such a way that a presence of an object in the area is recognized, and a local signal is output as soon as a presence is recognized.