According to a recent study, over 450 million HD security cameras have been installed worldwide, which is an ever-growing number.
Are you considering investing in a security camera system for your business?
Keep reading as we discuss what you need to know before investing in a security camera system for your business – including the type of security camera, how you store your security data, and more!
Consider Your Business Size And Operations
Before you begin installing your security camera system, you must know your security camera needs, along with your security requirements.
Some good points to cover to identify your security needs include:
- The number of rooms you’ll need to cover – if you don’t know how many rooms you’ll need security cameras in, you should compile a list of the building’s spaces, along with which ones need security cameras and which don’t. An idea of the number of rooms you need to cover will help you establish how many cameras you’ll need, allowing you to calculate a rough estimate of your budget.
- The type of cameras you’ll need – it’s best to invest in high-definition video surveillance cameras for businesses with extensive security needs. For companies with a lower security risk, it might be better to opt for lower-quality cameras to cut costs.
To help you get the most out of your security camera investments, it’s best to enlist the services of a security camera installation expert. They will be able to advise you on the optimal camera placements, ensuring there are no blind spots in your system that an intruder could take advantage of, leading to a security breach.
Protect Highly Sensitive Areas
Many businesses have sensitive areas containing resources and assets that must be reserved, preventing employees and visitors from entering without explicit authorization from those with security clearance.
To protect susceptible areas within your building, you must understand which sites to consider when enforcing surveillance. Here are some examples of the kinds of places you might wish to protect with video surveillance cameras:
- Server rooms – your server rooms are home to sensitive data that could cause you to break GDPR compliance if exposed. Installing NVR security cameras to protect server rooms could minimize your risk.
- Dangerous equipment – if there are rooms in your building house hazardous equipment, you will need to secure these areas, preventing an unauthorized user from breaking in and getting hurt. Protecting these rooms will help keep building users safe while minimizing your exposure to an accident or injury, leading to liability issues.
- Rooms housing sensitive assets – you might have rooms that house cash, keys, and other vital assets. To ensure that you document any theft in these areas, you should consider investing in surveillance cameras to secure these areas.
Keep Your Budget In Mind
You need a solid budget before investing in your building security cameras. Once you know how many cameras you’ll need, you can work out a general budget and choose cameras that align with this budget. You should also consider allocating funds toward hiring a security camera installation professional.
Consider How You Want To Store Your Security Camera Data
Regarding security equipment, there are three primary options for storing your data – on-premise, hybrid, and cloud-based.
With an on-premise system, you reduce your vulnerability to cyberattacks. However, on-premise systems typically require complex wiring systems, making them less suitable for businesses needing a scalable security solution or covering security across several different on-site buildings.
Additionally, an on-premise system requires storing your data with on-site servers. You’ll need to allocate storage space for these servers and cover the maintenance costs, ensuring that they are fully updated and operational.
With a cloud-based surveillance system, there is no need for a complex wiring system. You can simply connect your security cameras using a WiFi connection or BlueTooth. If you need to access your security information, you can do so from anywhere using a cloud-based control center or mobile application.
A cloud-based surveillance system also has the benefit of open API integrations, making it suitable for integration with other security tools in your system, such as access control for identity verification.
The drawback of a cloud-based surveillance system is that storing your security data on the cloud increases your risk of falling victim to a cybersecurity attack that exposes your valuable security data.
If you want the benefits of both systems, you can always opt for a hybrid security system. With a hybrid system, you get the help of remote security operations while ensuring that you have a backup plan should one fail. Furthermore, for businesses focused on securing multiple locations, a hybrid system offers the flexibility and scalability needed to effectively manage surveillance across various sites.
Summary
It can be challenging to carve out a path when considering which security cameras suit you and planning your security strategy. When planning your security camera system, you should know how many cameras you need and the quality you’ll need. You should also see whether you’d like an on-premise or cloud-based security system.