7 Security Camera Tips for Businesses

February 27, 2024 by Anas Mustafa

In today’s world, where everything we do is via the web, from banking to shopping, there is a lot of focus on ensuring your online presence is secured. Yet, it doesn’t remove the need to protect your physical location. However, criminals are counting on this.

Websites have security plugins to help and other services to ensure your online business is secure. However, security cameras are still the essential front-line force for your real-world location.

1. What Are Your Needs?

“We need cameras everywhere!” is a line heard that often leads business owners to over-install cameras. Take a moment to assess your actual needs as cameras have a wide range of vision and can operate in different situations.

Key areas to consider when assessing your needs are:

• How many exits and entrances do you have?
• Where are the high-traffic areas?
• Where are your blind spots? (e.g. Alleyways, parking lots, and an area on the service floor are not visible from the cashier’s desk.)
• Which offices should be a priority? (e.g. Cash Office, HR, etc.)

Once you know where you are the most vulnerable, you can effectively use cameras to your advantage.

2. We Are Watching You

Displaying signs to advise people that cameras are watching is a good way to deter potential thieves, but it also informs your customers that you take their security seriously.

Signs in vital areas, such as the entranceway, every other aisle, the warehouse, and above other exits, let people know that if they are planning on taking something out of the store via another exit or slipping something under their clothes to conceal it, it won’t work.

It will also help your case should an event result in court action. You can state that signs are posted to advise people that there are cameras in your location. Should a criminal try to say that they were “unaware of the cameras”? You strengthen your case, and you are protected.

3. The Right Place at the Right Time

Placement is everything. Following your assessment of your location needs, you must look at the different cameras to find the one that’s right for you. There are a range of cameras available on the market. Some have pan-tilt-zoom features, while others capture a larger area or record in colour at night.

Cameras work best when unobstructed. So, avoiding corners, low beams, or hanging signs is essential. Do not situate the cameras too high, or they will miss important details. If they are too low, they can be covered or tampered with. Approximately 8 to 12 feet high will get the best results and coverage.

4. Wired or Wireless

To get the most out of your business security systems and cameras, consider which one is the best for your property. Wired cameras work for expansive locations as multiple cameras can connect to the recorder. However, once wired, you can’t move them.

Wireless cameras allow you to move the cameras as needed but work better in smaller locations. Consulting your security professionals will give you the best insight and guidance.

5. Keep Technology Safe

Regardless of the camera, you should ensure you have a secure network to protect this vital data. The information recorded can go to the NVR on site and/or to “The Cloud,” where you can access it. The network the cameras use and subsequently use to upload should have adequate and regularly updated security protocols.

Keeping up with updates and patches will help ensure the network has the most current security to keep data away from hackers.

Having a dedicated and separate network from the rest of the business is the best way to ensure the camera data is secured and the rest of your company’s corporate and vital information is protected and untouched.

This separate network will also prevent all systems from slowing down due to usage but can also operate on a backup should there be a power outage due to weather or tampering.

6. Light the Way

Despite many cameras operating in low light, with enhanced features and infrared technology, properly lighting the area helps the cameras get the best images. It doesn’t mean you need to set up floodlights all over the property, but ensure that the darker areas, such as hallways, parking lots, and side entrances, have a light source.

Customers and staff will feel safer walking around at night. Cameras will get a better view, and the data will hold up better in court.

7. Preventative Maintenance Is Better Than None

Keeping up with regular maintenance ensures the life of the cameras and the rest of your security system. It doesn’t just extend to the security updates on the network but also checking the cameras, wires, and the areas of the building that they watch over.

Detecting early problems, such as damages to the property or fogged-up lenses on the cameras, will allow you to deal with them before they become an issue financially and safety-wise.

Customize Your Business Security Systems With the Professionals

Our security professional team can help you get the most out of your business security systems and cameras.

With dedicated cellular secure networks, backup options for power outages, and more, Canadian Security Professionals can help you get what you need for a price that works with your budget.

Call 1-877-494-9911 or contact us here for a free online quote, and check out our Business Packages to see how we can protect you and your customers now and in the future.