Businesses in all types of industries require surveillance cameras to review incidents, catch problems as they happen, and comply with insurance requirements or state laws based on their industry.
The right system should address your security concerns, but it should also have the flexibility to accommodate your surveillance needs as they change. How can you select the best surveillance camera system for your business? When making this type of investment, here are three tips to help you make the best decision.
1. Determine What Features You Need
Modern surveillance cameras come with a variety of features, many of which can be customized to your specific needs. Determining what your goals are for your surveillance system can help you decide which features would benefit you the most.
For example, the type of cameras you need may depend on factors such as:
- Whether you require perimeter security
- If you want to take advantage of audio capabilities
- If you’ll want to access your camera feed remotely
- If you need your cameras to see in low-light conditions
- If you plan on utilizing video analytics, either now or in the future
Considering these items will help you narrow down your choices accordingly. Many contemporary camera units go beyond helping businesses have evidence in the event of a dispute or incident—they can even help with preventing incidents, gathering valuable marketing information, and much more [1].
2. Consider How Flexible You Need Your System to Be
The flexibility requirements for a surveillance camera system won’t be the same for every business.
Maybe your business is well-established and you have a solid idea of what your surveillance requirements will be over the next several years. Or maybe you’re launching a new business and have no idea what your growth will look like as you build your company.
The point is that you don’t want to have to invest in a new surveillance system in a few years just because you need to make some updates. Fortunately, today’s surveillance cameras make it easier than ever to adjust your system as needed.
If you anticipate adding more cameras over time or integrating technology such as access control or video analytics with your system, it’ll be in your best interest to invest in scalable technology so you can better meet your needs both today and in the future.
By doing this, you can leverage your surveillance system to anticipate your needs and solve problems now rather than completely overhauling it once it’s installed so you can have the best setup for your needs [2].
3. Keep Your Compliance Requirements in Mind
Every business will have different compliance requirements. For example, some have insurance standards to abide by; others will have to comply with local laws for surveillance, such as cannabis businesses.
- These compliance requirements can stipulate surveillance camera features such as:
- Retaining video footage for a minimum period of time
- Whether or not it’s acceptable to use motion-detection cameras
- If you need to retain documentation of people accessing the property, whether through parking garages, gates, or entryways
Whether you need 24/7 surveillance of the premises
When implementing surveillance camera systems, you’ll also need to ensure you comply with local audio and video surveillance regulations. Most businesses will be in compliance with these laws, provided their surveillance takes place exclusively in public [3].
Do You Have the Right System for Your Business?
Whether you’re in the process of investing in a brand-new surveillance camera system or if you need to upgrade your existing one, our team at Surveillance Secure can help you find the right system for your needs. Contact us today to schedule a risk assessment and consultation with our commercial security professionals at (877) 388-1248!
Virginia DCJS Private Security Services ID #11-6085