Although CCTV security surveillance systems have been around for years, many people did not realize just how important these systems were until recent years. For many years, a lot of businesses operated with little or no security, and some of these businesses prospered without an issue. However, many business owners found themselves wishing that they had installed a CCTV security surveillance system due to a robbery or other crime.
If you are a business owner, it is essential that you understand the importance of protecting your business with a CCTV security surveillance system. Putting forth the time, effort and money now can help to prevent a lot of problems later on down the road, and you will more than likely feel much better knowing that your business is properly protected once you install a CCTV security surveillance system.
Why is CCTV Security Surveillance Important for Businesses?
If you are like a lot of people, you might not realize why CCTV security surveillance for businesses is such a big deal. It is possible that you have been operating your business for years without CCTV security surveillance without any major issues, and you may think that you can continue on without a system. You may also feel comfortable without a security surveillance system if your business is located in a good neighborhood or if there is a lot of security around your area. However, it is better to realize the importance of one of these systems now rather than later.
First of all, you have to understand that crime can happen at any given moment. Just because your business has been safe for several years without CCTV security surveillance does not mean that something can’t happen tomorrow, so thinking ahead can help to keep you, your business and the people around you safe. Even good neighborhoods are subject to criminal activity, and it is better not to depend on the security methods that others around you have employed.
It is important to think about all of the things that can happen at your business. Robberies are becoming more and more common every day, and you certainly don’t want your business to be the target of a thief. Shoplifting is also a major issue for many business owners, and you might be losing more merchandise and money than you think due to shoplifting. Even smaller and pettier crimes, such as vandalism, can cost you a lot of money and can make your customers lose faith in the safety of your business.
Having a CCTV security surveillance system can also help you to keep an eye on your employees. Many people want to think that they can trust their employees, but employee theft is on the rise and could be a problem at your business. Not only do employees sometimes steal money, but some even steal supplies or merchandise if they know that no one is looking. You can lose money in this way, but you can also lose money if your employees are not being as productive as they should be during the day. Although you certainly can’t keep a close watch on your employees every second of the day, a CCTV security surveillance system can work as your eyes in order to help you to catch these types of problems.
Parking lots can also be dangerous. Plenty of crimes have occurred all over the country in various commercial parking lots, and the safety of you, your employees and your customers is at risk. You obviously have to worry about people stealing items from people’s vehicles, but criminals might even steal the whole vehicle from your parking lot if you do not have enough security. Various other crimes, including kidnapping, sex crimes and more all occur in parking lots, and you don’t want any of these things to happen at your business.
Although a CCTV security surveillance camera cannot prevent all of these crimes from happening, having the right security is definitely a step in the right direction. Many would-be criminals shy away when they see a good CCTV security surveillance system, and the simple sight of your security cameras could be enough to prevent these crimes. Even if a criminal gets brave enough to try something in your parking lot or inside your business, however, having a CCTV security surveillance camera can help you to catch the crime and can provide you with the evidence that you need in order to take action. This surveillance can help you to eliminate employees who are causing problems, and it can be just the evidence that law enforcement officers and prosecutors need in order to catch and convict the person who has committed a crime on your property.
People also feel safer when they see these cameras. Due to some of the horrific crimes that have been committed over the years and the warnings that people hear from others, your employees and customers might be more fearful of crime than you think. By having cameras in place, you can help everyone to feel more at ease. Not only will this help to keep your employees happy, but it could even cause you to get more business or to keep business who might otherwise head to a more secure business.
What are the Necessary Components of a CCTV Security Surveillance System?
In order for you to enjoy the most benefit from your CCTV security surveillance system, you will need the right components. Before even choosing your security cameras, you will need to determine what type of system you will be using in order to record, store and play your surveillance footage. Some people choose to use a personal computer for this purpose, and there are plenty of cameras out there that work with computer-based systems. However, many business owners decide to use standalone digital video recorders instead.
Standalone digital video recorders allow you to store months of video surveillance footage so that you can watch it when you need to. They also allow you to stop, fast forward and rewind your footage as you are watching it, which can help you to see the things that you need to see. When choosing a standalone digital video recorder for your CCTV security surveillance system, you should look for one that allows you to burn your footage onto a disc or transfer your video files to an external hard drive. This can help you to make back up copies of important files, and it can also make it easier to share files with the necessary law enforcement officers. You should also make sure that the unit offers plenty of storage space so that you can store the surveillance footage that you need.
You will also need a monitor for your standalone digital video recorder. You can typically use a television or a regular computer monitor for this purpose. Although you certainly do not have to purchase an expensive monitor for watching your surveillance footage, you shouldn’t use a monitor that is too old. Instead, look for a monitor that is large enough and that offers a good enough picture quality so that you can watch your surveillance footage with no problems.
Lastly, you will need to find the right cameras. There are a lot of different cameras out there for you to choose from, and you might feel a bit overwhelmed during your shopping experience. However, it isn’t difficult to find good security cameras that will allow you to capture good surveillance footage.
First of all, you will want to look for a camera that is durable enough for what you need to use it for. For instance, cameras that will be installed outdoors will need to be weather resistant. You can purchase slightly cheaper cameras for indoor use if you want to, but make sure that the camera has the features that you need.
You will also have to choose between cameras that offer night vision and those that do not. Every situation is different, and what works for your business might not work for someone else. It is important to make sure that you get proper surveillance footage at night, however, so choose a camera with night vision if you do not have an adequate light source for a regular camera.
Another thing to consider when choosing surveillance cameras for your business is whether you would like wireless cameras or cameras that have more traditional wires. Cameras with wires can work well if they are installed correctly, but it can be a pain to deal with all of the wires. You also have to make sure that you will be able to properly cover the wires so that they will not be compromised by a criminal. Therefore, you might feel more comfortable with wireless cameras. Not only do you cut down on the risk of tampering by using wireless cameras, but you also have the convenience of an easier installation.
Are There Other Ways to Keep a Business Safe?
Although there are a lot of benefits to installing a CCTV security surveillance system for protection, you should not rely on your system alone in order to protect yourself, your customers, your employees and your business. Instead, you should utilize other security techniques along with your camera for maximum protection.
A burglar alarm can be worth its weight in gold if a crime occurs at your business, so you should consider installing one. Make sure that there are sensors on each of your doors as well as any lower-level windows, and opt for a burglar alarm system that includes monitoring. Although the loud sound of an alarm can sometimes be enough to scare off a potential thief or other criminal, having a system that automatically calls your security company can help local law enforcement officers to catch these would-be criminals.
You should also consider installing adequate lighting. In fact, installing plenty of lighting is one of the main ways to make your parking lot safer. Criminals tend to like dark places when they are plotting and committing crimes, and minimizing these dark hiding places can make your business less tempting for a criminal who is up to no good. Trimming trees, bushes, shrubs and other plants can also help to cut down on these hiding places, and it will also make your business look neat and tidy.
By combining these basic security tips with a good CCTV security surveillance system, you can cut down on a lot of potential crime and can help to keep everyone who patronizes or works at your business.
What is the Best Way to Purchase a CCTV Security Surveillance System for a Business?
Many people get intimidated when it comes to purchasing all of these security-related items, and you aren’t alone if you are a bit concerned about the shopping process as well as the price of all of these security-related items. However, shopping for a CCTV security surveillance system for your business does not have to be difficult.
One great tip for those who are shopping for a system is to shop online. Online shopping is convenient, but there are plenty of other benefits to utilizing the Internet when shopping for your CCTV security surveillance system. For instance, you can find an online retail store that specializes in selling security-related equipment. This will allow you to have a larger selection to choose from when shopping for your system, and it can help to guarantee that you end up with the system that you need.
You can also typically save a lot of money by purchasing your system online instead of in a local store. Online businesses often have much less overhead than your traditional local stores, and this means that they can sell the items that you need for less. Shopping online also makes it easier for you to compare various CCTV security surveillance systems, and this can help you to feel better about your purchase; by reading both reviews and information about a system, you will be able to make a more informed decision, and you will be able to make your purchase from the comfort of your own home or office.