Security cameras help reduce non-violent crime by frightening away thieves and vandals. They also help businesses monitor customer traffic, employee performance, onsite equipment, and inventory.
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- Monitoring
In addition to deterring crime, security cameras can help businesses monitor customer or employee behavior. The footage can be used to identify theft patterns, vandalism, or other inappropriate behaviors so that action can be taken before the issue gets out of hand. Security cameras also provide important insights into the efficiency of business operations, such as highlighting bottlenecks in workflow or areas where productivity could be improved.
Depending on the location of your camera, you will have multiple options for monitoring your video surveillance system. For instance, dedicated security rooms can be equipped with multi-monitor setups that give security personnel a real-time view of all cameras in the facility. In addition, mobile apps and remote access make monitoring your business’s security cameras easy from any location with an Internet connection.
If you are using an analog system, your camera(s) will need to be hardwired to the recorder. If you are using a digital DVR or NVR, they can be wireless and connect directly to your internet network. Most digital systems are also compatible with PoE (Power over Ethernet), which allows the camera to receive power and data over a single cable, eliminating the need for separate cords.
Most surveillance systems will upload recorded footage to a cloud storage platform or a hard drive. Some more advanced solutions will use both cloud and built-in storage to provide redundancy and increased reliability. To check availability of the cameras, the program can send ping requests to the IP address of each camera or DVR/NVR and will report back the status — green for working, red for unresponsive. It is also possible to test the camera channel inputs by connecting a monitor to the DVR/NVR and scanning the channels for the cameras.
- Detection
Using security cameras to monitor areas of interest in your workplace or home is an essential tool in the fight against crime. They can provide a valuable visual deterrent to criminals, giving potential thieves or vandals pause to consider whether they should continue with their plans or move on.
A security camera’s job is to keep an eye on a specific public area and report what it sees back to a central system, which can then alert authorities when an intruder is detected. They are used in offices, retail stores, schools, homes, parking lots, roads and just about any other public place that needs some extra watchful eyes.
Many security cameras rely on motion sensors to trigger an event. These sensors can be prone to false alarms, so it’s important to find one that uses a smarter method of detection, such as PIR (passive infrared) motion sensor technology or True Detect thermal heat sensing. This will cut down on the number of unnecessary notifications that you receive, and help ensure that you only record when something actually happens.
Another way to prevent false alerts is by looking for small, blue or purple reflections that can be a sign of a hidden camera. Similarly, you can use your flashlight to sweep and scan the room to look for tiny, reflective objects that might indicate the presence of a spy lens.
It’s also a good idea to learn about the types of cameras available and their differences, to be able to select the right one for your business. For example, dome cameras are often used in commercial settings, but can also be found in homes, while bullet and pan-tilt-zoom cameras offer more customizable options for indoor installations.
- Alerts
Having the ability to alert you when an intrusion or other incident is detected in real-time is vital for the safety and security of your home or business. Security cameras with push notifications offer an ideal solution to this, allowing you to receive instant notifications on your mobile device whenever the camera detects movement within its field of vision. This allows you to respond quickly and take the necessary action to deter or prevent trespassing or vandalism before it becomes too serious.
Many cameras also allow you to customize the alerts that are sent to your device, enabling you to only receive the most important notifications. You can also choose to set the camera to sound an alarm or turn on lights when motion is detected. This can deter a criminal before they can cause damage or even break into your property, as criminals may be frightened by the loud sound of a siren and the bright light that will shine in their face.
Some of the more advanced models of security cameras can differentiate between people and inanimate objects, reducing the amount of false alerts that are sent to your device. This feature is particularly useful if you have pets and want to avoid triggering false notifications when they move around your house. Some cameras also offer facial recognition, which can recognise familiar faces and send you an alert when it sees someone it knows in the camera view.
John adds a Wyze Cam v3 named “Backyard” to his home monitoring system and sets it to record when a person trespasses into his backyard. When a person does trespass in his backyard, the camera triggers a Threat Alert on his smartphone even though his phone is in Do Not Disturb mode. He is able to review the footage and take the appropriate action to protect his family.
- Recording
Unlike older security cameras that recorded images onto VHS tapes, modern security cameras record their footage to a hard drive. This allows for much more storage capacity and a longer video retention period. The footage can also be stored in the cloud.
The easiest way to tell if a camera records audio is by looking at its specifications. Many manufacturers clearly state whether their camera records sound on the product’s technical specifications page. Some cameras may also have a microphone symbol or text on the live view that indicates whether it can capture audio.
In addition, you can look for indicator lights on the cameras that are recording and the monitor that displays the camera feed to see if they have a recording status. The monitoring device should also display a recording icon or text indicating that the camera is actively recording.
Many security cameras are designed to record continuously or upon a motion trigger, depending on the needs of users. The storage capacity of these systems can vary from a single SD card to unlimited space in the cloud, and users often have options to choose how long recorded footage is saved before it is automatically overwritten or deleted.
It is important to remember that security cameras that are connected to the Internet are susceptible to cybersecurity threats. Therefore, you should always make sure that your camera is secure and encrypts its data. Additionally, it is a good idea to check if the manufacturer of your camera has any history of data breaches in the past. This information can be found online. It is recommended to buy cameras from trusted brands that have a high customer satisfaction rate.
- Storage
Most modern security cameras support local storage, which means that footage can be saved directly on a device located at the property—such as SD cards or network-attached storage (NAS) systems. This type of storage eliminates the need for cloud recordings and gives users more control over access and maintenance. However, local storage can be susceptible to physical damage or theft.
Choosing the best storage method and devices for your security camera depends on several factors, including the duration you desire for storing video clips, regulatory requirements, and available technology. Typically, most home security cameras retain footage for between 7 and 90 days. Once a storage device is full, most security cameras overwrite old footage or stop recording altogether.
Some modern security cameras also support cloud storage. This type of storage offers a high level of convenience and accessibility, but it is not ideal for every use case. Storing video footage in the cloud can be costly, and it may not meet certain privacy requirements.
Before selecting a cloud storage solution for your security camera, consider how much storage capacity you require and whether the system supports the latest encryption standards. Additionally, be sure to factor in the cost of a subscription service for each individual camera.
If you prefer to store your security camera footage locally, look for models that offer a high resolution like 2K for clearer footage and are equipped with an SD card slot for additional storage. This way, you can avoid monthly fees and keep your recordings safe from hacking or loss. Additionally, remember that your security camera will require regular software and hardware updates to function properly.