Whether it’s to deter crime or to monitor and respond to incidents when they occur, business security systems with cameras provide many essential benefits.
In addition to acting as a preventative measure and deterring criminal activity, remote security cameras can also help businesses mitigate liabilities with concrete evidence. They also allow for insights that improve operations and increase productivity.
Digital
Digital security systems use cameras that record digitally, then send those images over a network. Depending on the system, the images can be watched by authorized users remotely, allowing businesses to monitor activity from anywhere.
Many digital camera systems offer higher image resolution, wider viewing angles and night vision capabilities. They are also more likely to incorporate edge computing, which processes information closer to the source of data generation. This reduces bandwidth usage, speeds up response times and improves the quality of video images.
With a digital surveillance system, business owners can check in on their business remotely and quickly assess situations or alert the team. This helps to reduce the risk of a security breach, even when staff are not on-site, and gives them peace of mind that they can keep their property safe. In addition, some smart surveillance systems can be paired with artificial intelligence (AI) software programs to detect specific behaviors or patterns.
Wireless
Many home and business security systems include wired cameras. While hard-wired cameras do have their benefits, wireless models have risen in popularity due to ease of installation and convenience.
Wireless cameras use Wi-Fi signals to communicate with each other. A transmitter connected to the camera sends a video feed over a wireless signal to a receiver that decompresses the data and transforms it into viewable footage on a monitor or recording device.
The most popular option for transmitting data is Wi-Fi, but some systems use cellular networks. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks. Wi-Fi-based cameras can be monitored from anywhere with an internet connection, while cellular networks offer better reliability in remote locations and for areas without a stable broadband connection. Some wireless systems also connect to a cloud or local storage service for remote access and backup. These features may require a subscription or an additional fee. They also depend on power from the battery or solar energy and may run out of power if not regularly charged or replaced.
Audio
As security camera technologies advance, they are becoming more sophisticated and incorporating audio recording capabilities. This new functionality enables businesses to monitor activity in their premises in more ways than just visuals, and provides important information that can improve situational awareness.
Security cameras that record audio either have a built-in microphone or a connector to add an external one. If you’re not sure whether a particular security camera has audio recording capability, find its serial number and do a search online to look up its specifications. You’ll also want to consider any applicable legal restrictions.
Adding audio capabilities to your business security system allows your staff to interact with individuals in public spaces, deter vandalism or dangerous behaviour, and promote safety. Two-way audio allows your team to speak directly to customers, offer assistance, or provide personalised guidance. This can increase customer satisfaction and even boost sales. It can also reduce false alarms, which can cost your business in the form of fines.
Motion detection
One of the biggest challenges to commercial security systems is ensuring that only motion events get recorded. When recording everything, storage fills up quickly and you miss important footage.
Smart motion detection enables cameras to only record when an event happens. The camera first learns what your property looks like when nothing is happening by analyzing pixels for changes and then using object analysis (size, speed) to determine if the change is caused by a person, animal or vehicle.
When an event is detected, the camera records and sends you a notification to let you know. This can trigger lights, security cameras, and alarms depending on the type of event. Motion sensors can also be paired with smart lighting and environmental sensors to automatically turn on lights when a person is in the room or set off an alarm when glass breaks. These are great ways to deter crime and save energy at the same time.