A connection monitoring apparatus determines whether the connection monitoring apparatus is communicatively connected to the customer apparatus at a regular connection time. When the connection monitoring apparatus is not communicatively connected to the customer apparatus at the regular connection time and the present time falls within the support contract time of a customer, the connection monitoring apparatus issues a connection fault notification. When the connection monitoring apparatus is not communicatively connected to the customer apparatus at the regular connection time and the present time does not fall within the support contract time of the customer, the connection monitoring apparatus suppresses the connection fault notification from being issued and issues the connection fault notification at the next support contract time of the customer.