The threat of theft and vandalism is always present for any business. The more resources a company has, the more likely it is they will be targeted by criminals.

A surveillance system can help to deter crime and provide evidence if something does happen.

To decide what type of surveillance system best suits your needs, you need to know:

  • What are your priorities?
  • What level of security you need?
  • Where are you most concerned about theft or vandalism happening?
  • How much money are you willing to spend on a security system?

You should always have a security system in place, regardless of your budget. Once you have established what your priorities are, you can choose a security system that fits within them. Security systems do not need to be expensive or complicated.

Businesses that want complete protection should consider installing a combination system to maximize the benefits they get from their cameras.

Read on to learn more about how you can choose the best surveillance system for your company.

What factors do you need to consider when choosing a business surveillance system?

When choosing a business surveillance system, there are several factors you need to take into consideration.

  • Interior and/or exterior cameras. Interior cameras are what most people think of when they think of a security system. These cameras monitor the interior of your building, however they can also be used to monitor outdoor areas, such as parking lots and walkways. Outdoor cameras are more weatherproof than their indoor counterparts because they’re made to withstand harsher conditions.
  • Number of cameras. The number of cameras you need will depend on your priorities and how much money you are willing to spend. If you have a large building, for example, it might be useful to put cameras in every room so you can cover all angles.
  • Advanced systems. Many businesses are looking for more advanced systems that can detect objects or people. These types of security systems use built-in analytics to track movement and identify objects in real time. Will you need to capture license plates, have facial recognition, read temperature or require other sophisticated cameras?

These are just a few factors to consider when choosing a business surveillance system. A good company will help you walk through these factors and more to customize a system tailored to your business.

How much does a business surveillance system cost?

The cost of a business surveillance system will vary depending on the features and quality you need.

On average, for a 5 camera system on a commercial property, you’re going to be looking at around $7,500-$10,000 for that system.

The costs can go up over $10,000 if lifts will be needed to get cameras in higher areas, long distances requiring longer than normal wire runs, more cameras that need to be installed, and high-quality recording capabilities.

What are the benefits of having a business surveillance system?

There are numerous benefits of having a business surveillance system. For one thing, these systems provide peace of mind for your employees since they know that their safety is being monitored.

Surveillance systems also protect your assets by providing evidence in case something happens to them. The presence of a surveillance system can also help prevent crimes from happening.

What are the different types of business surveillance systems?

There are two main types of business surveillance systems:

  • Analog. An analogue system is usually made up of a DVR and small black-and-white monitors that only monitor the monitor, not the area being monitored.
  • IP/network camera systems. IP or network camera systems rely on internet connectivity to monitor their area of coverage. This type of system is typically digital and can be viewed on a computer, smartphone or other device. It also offers more advanced features such as motion-sensing capabilities and the ability to monitor specific areas of your business depending on your needs.

IP/network camera systems are particularly useful if you have a lot of moving parts in your building since you can control individual camera settings from a central location. You can also have several employees monitor the system at once rather than relying on one person to watch all of the screens 24/7.

Analog systems do not require internet connectivity, so they are usually more cost-effective if your only concern is security. There are some drawbacks to analogue systems, however.

For example, analog cameras usually only record when motion is detected so they will miss important events that take place in between these moments.

How can you make your business surveillance system more effective?

There are several factors you can take into consideration to make your business surveillance system more effective.

For one thing, it’s important to install the cameras in locations where they will be able to capture video footage of the area under surveillance. You also need to make sure that there is sufficient lighting in these areas; otherwise, the images captured by the cameras may not be of high quality.

It’s also crucial to complement your surveillance system with other security measures, such as an entry/exit control system and access cards for employees.

Finally, make sure that the people you hire to monitor the surveillance footage are up to the task; otherwise, these systems won’t work properly or provide you with any benefits.

Where should you install your cameras?

You’ll need to make sure to focus on the most vulnerable areas of your business.

These areas will change based on the type of business and the time of day.

Think about the following:

  • What are areas that get a lot of foot traffic throughout the day, but aren’t attended to by employees during these times?
  • Do you have areas near cash registers or where products are stored?
  • Are there areas that don’t have a lot of foot traffic, but are attended to by employees throughout the day?
  • What about areas where there is no foot traffic at all, like backrooms or garages?

How many cameras will you need?

The amount of cameras you purchase will depend on how large your business is and the areas that you would like to monitor.

When deciding how many cameras to purchase, consider:

  • What is the size of your building?
  • What areas would you like to monitor?
  • How may entry and exit points do you have in your building?
  • Where are important areas in your business located that have valuable assets?
  • What about other valuable resources that could increase the chance of theft or vandalism?

How can you keep your business surveillance system up-to-date?

The equipment and software used in a business surveillance system may become outdated over time, which means that the images captured by these systems will not be of good quality.

This is why it’s important to conduct routine maintenance on your business surveillance system, as well as keep an eye out for any signs that its hardware or software require replacement or updating.

With this in mind, you should schedule periodic visits from the company that installed your surveillance system so that they can handle any issues with your equipment or provide you with recommendations.

The more proactive you are about monitoring and updating the security system at your business, the more opportunities you’ll have of preventing losses due to theft or other crimes.

It’s also a good idea to replace your equipment from time to time, in order to keep up with the latest technology and ensure that it keeps working properly.

To learn more about the benefits of having a business surveillance system and what features you should look for when choosing one, contact us. We

can provide you with more information about business cctv cameras thats customized to your situation.

Related: How to Properly Secure an Office Building

Summary

Experts recommend that business owners invest in a surveillance system as part of their overall security strategy.

It’s also important to update these systems on a regular basis to ensure they continue working properly.

The more proactive you are about monitoring and updating your business surveillance system, the more opportunities you will have for preventing losses due to theft or other crimes.

To learn more about business cctv cameras and the potential risks and benefits of installing these systems, contact us today.

Joseph Ferdinando is the visionary founder of Building Security Services, a leading security company renowned for its comprehensive security services. With an illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the security industry, Joseph has been instrumental in elevating the standards of security guard services for a broad spectrum of businesses and organizations. As an influential member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) in both New York and New Jersey chapters, Joseph has played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and practices.