Do I Need a Security Camera? Some things to Consider...

Are you considering adding a security camera to your home or office to make it more secure? These are becoming increasingly popular for their effectiveness and advancements in technology. It’s a great way to watch out for criminals, watch for internal theft in your office, keep an eye out for quality assurance, and just feel a peace of mind. Take a look at why you need a security camera, what it can be used for, and what you should know before making the purchase.

Criminal watch

One of the biggest reasons that people get security cameras is to watch for criminal activity. Whether it’s protecting your home at night or while you’re away, or having your office on watch during the night, crime detection can happen to anyone and by having proof on camera it will only help you recover your items or catch the thief. Most of the time when a criminal sees a camera, they will be more likely to leave to avoid getting caught doing something illegal.

At the office

There are a couple of great reasons to get cameras at work. If you want to make sure you’re getting the quality you expect from your suppliers, have cameras put up for quality assurance. Whether you’re a food manufacturer, a company that has to prepare shipments to your customers, or you want to make sure your sales staff is taking care of your customers properly, putting up cameras will remind your staff that they are being watched and need to perform to their best ability.

If you’ve ever worried about theft happening within the building, it’s a great way to catch any of this in the moment. Internal theft can be a large problem for companies that don’t realize it’s happening since it can go on for a long time and start to add up.

Whether your staff is taking home office supplies or something more serious, like internal records and sensitive customer data, this can become a financial problem or a legal problem. Having cameras up will deter your staff from getting any ideas, while at the same time giving you a chance to see if there are other issues in the office that are slowing down productivity.

Don’t forget claims made in the office that could cost you. Be extra cautious in case someone files a harassment claim, somebody slips and falls in the parking lot, or a customer says they didn’t get the service they expect, you’ll have it all on camera. These types of things can cost you a lot of money, but if you have proof something didn’t happen as it was claimed, it will likely get dropped.

Things to look for in a camera

While it’s nice to have the visual recorded for covering your company or your home’s security, you’ll want to be sure to avoid recording audio. There is an Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 that restricts audio recording.

Keep in mind that just like any other technology, security cameras can be hacked but you can stay secure by updating your password that accesses the cameras on a regular basis. Be sure to choose one that is higher-end and can see up to 100 feet in HD, because the lower-end versions will only reach 30-40 ft. at best with low quality. You’ll also want to look for features that apply to you, such as night vision, video playback, video recording, and have notifications sent to you when motion is detected.

Then decide where you want to place your cameras and if you want them visible or not, since a hidden camera will catch things that normally would happen while those doing the action wouldn’t know they are being watched. Keep in mind that a wired camera tends to perform better and wireless cameras will kill your wireless Internet.

These are some of the things to consider if you are looking to get a security camera for your home or office. They can really give you the peace of mind you need as long as you choose the right setup and understand the best ways to utilize them. Use these tips to get the most of out of your security camera needs.

The pros & cons of wired & wireless security systems

You may be struggling to decide between a wired security system vs. a wireless security system for your home. These are completely different types of systems that will affect your interaction with your security system on a regular basis.

On one hand, you’ll enjoy many excellent features with a wired system while your wireless system has the benefit of being accessed remotely rather than just in one room. There are many considerations when choosing a system but this guide will help you see the main pros and cons of each system so that you can better make a decision.  

Pros of a wired system

It’s less likely to be hacked

One consideration of a wired security system is that you won’t have to worry as much about it being hacked. Since someone would have to physically connect to a wired system in order to access it, this is something that you won’t really need to worry about. In today’s age of information hacking, it’s a feature that many homeowners may truly appreciate.

Works great for a large space

You’ll also find that a wired system works well in a large space. You can actually span one between multiple buildings on a property. It’s going to be able to handle more sensors than a wireless system could.

Has great features

Finally, you’ll enjoy many features that outperform others when you choose a wired security system. You’ll have control panels in multiple rooms, high-def video surveillance, and much more.

Cons of a wired system

Expensive to install

One of the drawbacks of this system is that you are going to find it’s expensive to install. You will need professional installation due to the complicated installation process. This type of system will require connecting of sensors, drilling holes, and wires inside your walls.

Permanent in the home

Because of the way these are installed, it’s going to be pretty permanent in the home. You can uninstall a wired security system but it’s not recommended since you likely won’t be able to find someone to install old equipment in a new location.

Controlled in only one location

Lastly, you‘ll find that being able to only control it from one room can be a pain. The control panel can only be operated from one location in the home rather than remotely with a wireless unit. You’ll have to arm or disarm from the same spot each time.

Pros of a wireless system

Quick to install

One of the best reasons to get a wireless system is the quick installation process. You won’t have to worry about drilling or complicated wires.  A professional can get this up and running in no time.

Easy to remove or modify

If you plan to move at some point, you’ll love that these systems can be moved to a new space. You’ll also find that it’s incredibly easy to upgrade or modify your system if you need more sensors or more flexibility with your system.

Remote access

You can’t beat the perk of remote access on your wireless unit. You’ll get a remote key fob to arm or disarm your system. Additionally, you can communicate with it using your mobile device making it accessible from anywhere that you and your device are located. You won’t have to worry about the one location control panel.

Cons of a wireless system

Risk of hacking

On the flip side, wireless systems are the most likely to be hacked by a burglar. They can do this by jamming the signals to avoid your alarm going off or hacking your password. Choosing one that enables encryption on your route and creating a strong password can help you overcome these vulnerabilities.

Limited length of range

Another issue with wireless systems is that you’ll be limited in distance for how far your sensors will work. They work best if you have a small or medium-sized home making them less useful for a large space.

Could have interference

Lastly, your wireless system could be vulnerable to interference and your sensor’s radio frequency communication could fail. You could find at times that your Wi-Fi disconnects itself or your cell phone can find a signal. Different things can affect the frequency from a wall to a power line.

Consider all of the pros and cons before choosing your security system!

What are the advantages of CCTV installation in the house?

Have you considered a CCTV system for your home? A CCTV security camera is a device you can use to for surveillance around the property that can capture images or video of the location you place them. These video monitors are perfect for adding security to your home, but they have other benefits too. Not only will you be able to capture a potential threat and use it as evidence, but you may actually deter a crime from happening. Take a look at the other advantages of a CCTV installation at your house. 

Deters crime

One of the cool advantages of owning a CCVT at the home is that it not only monitors activity outside, but a criminal would see it and be deterred from taking action as they had planned. Thieves that target your home are less likely to go through with it when they see your cameras outside. Make it really obvious by placing it in easy-to-see places and advertise it on the property. This is one way to protect your family and belongings.

See the entire property

You usually can’t see the whole property from inside the home or without walking outside to that part of the home. if you suspect something is happening, you can look on your CCTV system rather than going outside and facing a potential criminal. CCVT works great for blind spots around the home that you can’t see from a window, so if you were to hear an unusual noise, you check the perimeter of the property without leaving the house. This will calm your fears if you hear a strange noise, or if a guest shows up late so that you can see them without having to answer the door.

Affordable, low maintenance

One of the great reasons to get a CCVT is that there is essentially no maintenance needed to it once it’s set up. Occasionally you’ll want to wipe them clean and have a professional team check up on them, but you won’t need to do anything further. Once you purchase this system, it’s working for you. The best part is that it’s really affordable, which makes it an easy, low-cost, and low-risk investment for you.

Identifies criminals for evidence

If something were to happen on your property, having a CCVT may save you from never getting justice as this works as a way to identify criminals and can be turned in for evidence. You'll hopefully be able to catch the criminal and keep the neighborhood safer. Additionally, you’ll get an insurance deduction with most carriers, and if you are deterring criminals and not needing to make claims, you’ll likely see your policy get reduced over time.

If you want to significantly increase the security at your home, install one of these devices for a simple solution and prevention method. It’s just a one-time purchase that will allow you to reap the benefits for a long time to come. Your insurance rates may go down and you’ll have evidence if anything were to happen and very likely deterrent in the event that someone does consider trying to commit a crime.