How to Implement Business Surveillance and Security Cameras For Your Business

Video surveillance and security cameras are becoming essential for companies to protect facilities, assets, and people. Security cameras provide tangible benefits compared to reliance on more limited alarm systems.

Visually verifying activity deters criminals and captures evidence if incidents do occur. However, deploying cameras effectively requires understanding critical factors from camera selection and positioning to transmission, monitoring and maintenance. Here are those key considerations for installing business surveillance and security cameras and leveraging live monitoring capabilities.

Steps to Implement Business Surveillance and Security Cameras

1. Assess your business premises to identify vulnerable areas and determine camera placements.
2. Choose the right surveillance camera system based on factors like resolution and night vision capabilities.
3. Install cameras strategically at entry points, parking lots, and high-value areas.
4. Implement a reliable monitoring system, either through a dedicated security room or cloud-based surveillance.
5. Establish clear policies and procedures for camera usage and train employees on data privacy and security protocols.

Camera Types and Optimal Placement

Choosing camera models suited to your specific locations and security goals is crucial. Key factors include:

1. Indoor vs. Outdoor Needs

Dome and bullet cameras work well inside company facilities. Their relatively compact size allows flexible mounting on walls or ceilings. Outdoor cameras must withstand the elements on buildings exteriors or pole mounts. Bullet styles often feature integrated housing, while larger dome options require external casing.

Models with pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) capabilities allow remote directional control and preset views. This aids monitoring moving targets like parking areas.

Positioning cameras strategically eliminates blind spots while covering key areas. Overlapping fields of view provide expanded coverage. Entries/exits, inventory and equipment storage, sales counters/registers, and parking lots are typical priority zones. Loading docks, lobbies, office spaces, and other sensitive areas also need monitoring. High-traffic public locations and isolated off-site facilities deserve focus as well.

2. Image Quality and Low Light Performance

Video resolution formats determine image sharpness and detail. While analog CCTV cameras still exist, modern IP camera networks leverage digital capabilities. High definition (HD) and 4K models provide sharper megapixel views. However, ultra-high-resolution cameras require substantial bandwidth and storage.

Low light capability ensures usability at night and in dark interior zones via infrared (IR) illuminators. Wider dynamic range handles high-contrast scenes with both bright and shadowy areas. Housings, heaters, wipers and other features may assist outdoor camera operation in extreme climates.

3. Networking and Transmission Factors

Setting up security camera networks requires additional choices:

Wired Ethernet provides the most reliable high performance but requires running video cabling from each camera back to the network. Wireless cameras offer flexible placement without cables but risk intermittent connectivity loss.

Recording options include local digital or network video recorders (DVRs/NVRs) to store high-definition footage onsite. Cloud services remove local system requirements but rely on consistent broadband connectivity.

Leveraging existing business network infrastructure simplifies wiring. However, large camera deployments may overload networks not designed for extensive video. Dedicated switches or VLAN camera networks prevent impacting operations bandwidth. Power over Ethernet (PoE) eliminates electrical outlets at each camera location.

The Value of Live Monitoring

Actively viewing and managing camera feeds maximizes capabilities:

Local monitoring stations allow constant eyes on multiple sites but have higher infrastructure and staffing costs. Centralized security operations centres can watch numerous distributed facilities more efficiently. Intelligent features like motion and contact closure alerts, facial recognition, smartphone access and remote overrides assist active surveillance. Detailed procedures for network outages and redundancy ensure continuous monitoring if connectivity is disrupted.

Ongoing System Maintenance

Proper maintenance ensures optimal performance:

Periodically testing cameras and connections identifies issues before failures. Updating firmware and recording software keeps the system current as enhancements are introduced. PTZ and fixed camera positions should be adjusted over time as needs change. Lenses and housings require occasional cleaning for ideal image quality. Video cabling, switches and surge protectors wear out over years of use and must be replaced.

Deploy Tailored Video Surveillance and Security Cameras for Your Business

Deploying tailored video surveillance delivers substantial protection and risk mitigation benefits. However, working with experienced providers and following security best practices are the only ways to make sure these strategies are effective. This ensures you gain maximum value from investing in business security cameras and leveraging proactive live monitoring.