Video surveillance is essential to protect all types of businesses, as it acts as a deterrent to crime and provides evidence to capture a suspect. To make sure your corporate video surveillance system is working optimally, here are some basic tips and advice.
1. Store video footage in the cloud
Cloud storage can help you increase the storage capacity and accessibility of CCTV footage. Cloud-based systems thus offer a solid alternative to traditional analog systems. It is indeed cost-effective, accessible (the sequences can be viewed at any time via a Smartphone, tablet or computer) and still flexible.
2. Protect yourself from hacking
Advances in technology have allowed hackers to gain access to video surveillance cameras. Today, many companies use IP cameras that require an Internet connection to operate. There are a few tips to protect yourself against piracy:
1. Change the password of your video surveillance system very regularly
2. Never keep default usernames and passwords as they can be easily found online, making it easier for hackers to access your system.
3. Never connect your cameras to a public network
4. Choose cameras with encrypted signals. Encryption masks information sent over the Internet, making it difficult for hackers to identify this valuable data.
3. Place cameras strategically
Strategically placed cameras will help you easily identify and react quickly to potentially dangerous situations. CCTV cameras are most effective when installed in sensitive areas, placed in sufficient light, or positioned to capture wide angles.
4. Make sure you know your rights
If you rightly attach particular importance to the security of your business, you must still take care to preserve the confidentiality of your employees and customers. So remember to inquire when installing the cameras to know where you are allowed to place them and which areas you can monitor. For example, you cannot monitor changing rooms, toilets, bathrooms, examination rooms, etc.
What crime in retail stores and how to stop it with video surveillance?
The retail industry loses very large sums of money each year due to the crime that seems to target it a little more each year. This is not only due to uncontrolled shoplifting, as there are also organized retail crime networks that steal very large sums of goods from stores around the world. Whether the product is stolen from a distribution center, in transit or from the store itself, losses continue to increase and these crimes will not go away anytime soon. However, a large percentage of these losses could be avoided with a simple prevention program, notably using video surveillance, an indisputable weapon against crime.
Shoplifting
One of the first threats to your business is shoplifting. Aside from ordinary people, there are networks of seasoned shoplifters who can make huge profits without anyone realizing it right now. Hiring more employees to keep an eye on customers is one way to combat shoplifting, but it can be extremely expensive and not always very effective. The best option is to install a video surveillance system that will deter thieves.
Vandalism
Vandalism is a major risk for retail stores. These acts of vandalism can be expensive and result in more property damage if not cleaned and repaired. Having an effective video surveillance cameras System in Chicago is then an obvious asset, to dissuade vandals or produce evidence if they persist despite everything.
Discounts between relatives
Even if you don't think much about it, a common crime is that of remittances made by employees to their friends or relatives. This crime is particularly difficult to spot, but video surveillance makes it possible to dissuade employees who feel observed and curb this practice.
Internal theft
Depending on the size of your business and your product offering, internal theft can be a major concern for your store, even if you do background checks and interview candidates several times. Some skilled workers can even chase flights for years without anyone noticing. The best way to combat internal theft is to install an access control system to your stock areas.
Make your building “intelligent” thanks to a video surveillance system
Equipping a building with a video surveillance system is a way to secure it, but also to optimize a large number of activities. This will save you time, money, but also customers and investment opportunities. Here are 5 ways to make a building smart.
Give it a centralized system
Most modern buildings are constructed using complex systems, which have led to effective day-to-day problem management.
Now, video surveillance has made functions such as security, fire alarms, HVAC systems, door stations, digital signage, parking management system and other systems much more efficient than before because automatically working with each other so that routine operations and incidents are dealt with instantly.
It is this ability that several independent systems have to work together and automatically, that will make your building truly intelligent.
Vehicle management
License plates can be automatically identified as soon as they enter the car park. This helps to recognize cars on the black list in order to alert security, but also to anticipate the arrival of an important client for example, which will allow you to anticipate your contacts and the handling of their arrival.
Increased energy efficiency
A smart system helps cut costs by automatically controlling air conditioning, lighting and other power systems. It can also detect a window left open for too long, for example;
Access control
This is a very effective feature. Face identification is used as an additional security feature of identity cards. In the event of an identity mismatch, the system will not give access to the holder, then send a video notification.
Evacuation in case of emergency
If there is an emergency such as a fire; digital signage, access control and video verification will be activated for evacuation assistance. This type of system can guarantee a minimum of breakage if an accident should occur.
How to optimize the placement of the camera for perfect visibility?
Once you have decided which locations to monitor, you should also define a strategy for placing and installing CCTV cameras in Chicago. Whether inside or outside your company, here are several tips to optimize visibility and ensure you have perfectly clear images of what you have chosen to record.
Where to place a camera outside?
Decide if you want the camera to be visible or hidden.
Visible CCTV cameras are an effective deterrent against burglary, but they are also targets of theft and vandalism. Some owners choose to visibly install a dummy fake camera and back it up with a slightly more hidden real camera, while others add hardware or a rugged housing around the camera to make it more difficult to damage.
Install cameras 2-3 meters above the ground.
This height is low enough to capture the smallest details but high enough to be out of the reach of thieves and vandals.
Do not point the cameras directly at the sun.
Bright light causes reflections and high contrast in your sequences, making the image difficult to read. Take into account the movement of the sun and orient your cameras accordingly.
Protect the camera from the elements. The best outdoor CCTV cameras are weather and water resistant enough, but not all of them perform well. Choose a camera suitable for your climate and place it under a roof or in another semi-protected area if you can.
Where to place a camera inside?
Hanging an indoor camera in the corner of a room usually gives you the greatest possible perspective. Pointing a camera out of the window can degrade its image quality. Many CCTV cameras have infrared (IR) light technology, which facilitates motion detection and allows the cameras to operate in low light conditions. Infrared light can be reflected on windows and other glass objects and darken your images, especially in the dark. If your images appear washed out or bleached, there is probably a reflection problem. If it is really necessary to point a camera through the window, position the lens as close to the glass as possible and / or backlight the outside area.
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