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.
