Today’s security buzzwords — ransomware, cybercriminal, phishing, etc. — leave business owners more worried about their firewalls and anti-virus solutions than they are about their physical and conventional security solutions.
Don’t forget to take the other side of security into account. If you run a business that has a lot of interaction between potential customers and your products, then you need to do your part to deter thieves.
Video surveillance is the best way to do so.
Why Do You Need Security Camera Systems?
Video surveillance remains an undeniably effective way to promote a safe work environment for your staff and secure business for your clients.
With a functioning security camera system in place, your employees and clients can be confident that they’re safe while at your place of business.
Don’t forget that, in the event of a theft, your security camera system will give you a lot to offer law enforcement in finding the perpetrator and bringing them to justice. Clear footage stored safely on your hard drive and easily navigable by date makes follow-up as simple as can be.
Are Security Camera Systems Only For Security?
Absolutely not – although you are not required to have a security camera system, don’t assume that there aren’t any other benefits of installing one beyond being secure:
- Track Changes In Your Inventory: No matter what you store on-site, a security camera system can help you keep an eye on it remotely. With the right configuration and deployment, you can use your surveillance system as a form of inventory management, double-checking and confirming what your staff reports on an ongoing basis.
- Ongoing Organizational Record: By watching your business around the clock, you also gain a unique perspective into the hour by hour, day-to-day, and month-to-month operation of your business with the live recorded footage.
- Promote A Positive Workplace Environment: Video surveillance will also help to mitigate instances of harassment and poor customer service because everyone on your premises knows they are being recorded.
Do You Need Expert Assistance With Your Security Camera Systems?
While you may be tempted to invest in a security camera system and set it up yourself, it’s important to note that management isn’t as simple as you may assume:
Ineffective Default Security
Beyond getting the cameras set up in the right place, turned on, and connected to your network, would you know what else should be done to enhance security?
Not necessarily – in fact, Forescount researchers recently ran a white-hat experiment to test the security capabilities of security cameras. They found that, under default configurations, these camera systems were extremely easy to penetrate, and even swap real footage for a fake stream.
Without the right skill set, it’s likely that you won’t know how to configure these devices to enhance their security. In setting up a surveillance system as simply as possible, you would leave your business vulnerable.
That’s not even considering how you have to manage these systems as a part of your business. Do you know how to implement robust and secure access management protocols? Who can access the footage, and who can’t? How is access provided?
These are the types of questions you need to be able to answer.
Tedious Ongoing Maintenance
Beyond the initial setup, you also have to consider the ongoing management of these devices.
A key consideration is data storage – what are you going to do with all the footage you gather? At what interval will you archive or delete footage to make room for more?
That’s not all — as with any technology, from time to time the manufacturers will identify a vulnerability in their firmware, for which they will release a patch.
Be honest: how often do you update your software when prompted to? If you’re like most of us, probably not that often. Unfortunately, when it comes to security cameras, this can also put you at serious risk of a breach.
Inconsistent Quality
What separates a worthwhile security camera from the rest? Price point? Color HD video streams? Swivel and rotate capabilities?
Even beyond those considerations, you also have to think about digital security. VHS tapes can’t be hacked, but security camera footage can. Even before installation and maintenance, you need to consider whether you know what to look for in a surveillance system’s security capabilities.
Encryption of your video feeds is a great way to protect yourself – this is something a professional would know, but a layman may not.
Envizion IT Will Help You Manage Cost-Effective Security Camera Systems
When properly deployed and managed, security camera systems create a robust defense for your physical premises. There’s plenty to consider when it comes to your business’ physical security – why bother managing it on your own when you could have Envizion IT take care of it for you?
We specialize in helping our clients to harness the technology solutions they need at an affordable rate. The Envizion IT team continuously re-assesses our clients’ IT expenses in order to find new opportunities for cost reduction.
With our help, you can enjoy the security capabilities of a robust security camera system, without exceeding your IT budget. Get in touch with our team to get started.
