Safeguard your system

Improve Your Business Surveillance System

Published July 17, 2019 | By admin

Video surveillance is a great asset for businesses, keeping properties, inventory, and employees safe. Should anything happen, security cameras provide video footage and evidence to help capture suspects. And while your surveillance systems are meant to secure your business, you must also protect and maintain your system to ensure optimal performance. Here are some smart business surveillance tips.

Secure Your Surveillance System From Hackers
Many business surveillance systems utilize IP security cameras, which require Internet connection to allow you to view your feed remotely. Unfortunately, this makes IP surveillance systems susceptible to hackers. Thankfully, there are ways to keep them at bay:

Change your system password every three months and practice proper password management.
Never keep default usernames and passwords. These can easily be found online, thus, leaving them in place gives hackers free admission to your system.
Secure your business network – an unsecure network risks leaving open access points in your system, giving hackers the opportunity to access your surveillance cameras.
Never connect your cameras to a public network. Hackers can easily access information (like video credentials) through shared networks.
Choose cameras with encrypted signals – encryption disguises information sent over the internet, making it challenging for hackers to identify valuable data.

Avoid Video Surveillance Legal Liabilities
As long as you inform employees and customers that they are being recorded, as well as refrain from monitoring areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy, your security system should be free from legal liabilities. Here are the areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy:

Bathrooms
Dressing rooms
Exam rooms
Locker rooms
Hotel rooms

Remember, the laws vary from state to state. Be sure you fully understand the laws regarding video surveillance, do not invade customer and employee privacy, and review the camera privacy laws in your state.

Strategically Place Cameras
Security cameras locations are crucial for complying with laws, as well as the effectiveness of your system. Be sure your camera locations meet these requirements:

Install cameras in sensible areas, such as offices, stockrooms, behind cash registers, above entrances and exits.
Place security cameras under sufficient lighting to provide clear quality images.
Position cameras to capture wide angles for fuller surveillance coverage.

Store Video Footage In The Cloud
Cloud storage solutions offer excellent benefits and are a great alternative to traditional analog systems. You may consider employing cloud solutions as they are:

Cost-effective – Cloud storage eliminates the need for onsite digital video recorders (DVR) or network video recorders (NVR).
Accessible – When your data is stored in the cloud, it can be viewed remotely via smartphone, tablet, or desktop web browser any time.
Flexible – New users, locations, and cameras can be easily added to your existing infrastructure without rewiring.

Increase Business Security With Additional Camera Features
Additional features can help to enhance your surveillance system overall. Some additional benefits include:

Adjustable Angles – PTZ cameras can pan, tilt and zoom and cameras that are mobile allow for multiple views.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology – Security cameras hosted on monitoring platforms powered by AI alert users about important or unusual events.
Day/Night Capabilities -Night vision cameras utilize infrared LEDs and are helpful for those who need around the clock surveillance.
High Resolution – These cameras provide the best quality images.
IP-based vs. Wired – No video cables are required for IP systems.
Weatherproof – Weatherproof cameras and housing are built to withstand outdoor conditions to extend performance.
Remote Access – With the mobile app, you can use your smartphone to view footage and remotely control your system.

We offer a wide variety of affordable security cameras and surveillance systems – browse our stock online at SecurityCamExpert.com or call 888-203-6294 to speak with one of our experts. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Posted in Business Security Camera System, Security Camera Tips, SecurityCamExpert.com, Surveillance, Surveillance Systems, Video Surveillance | Tagged Business surveillance system, Safeguard your system, security tips

Hiding Security Camera Wires

Published December 12, 2018 | By admin

If you have chosen a wired security camera system for your home, concealing the wires should be one of your priorities. Dangling and exposed wires are not only unappealing, but give intruders an easy opportunity to disable your security camera system by cutting cables.

Hiding your security camera cables is another way of safeguarding your system. Here are some smart and helpful ways you can keep your cables hidden.

Paint the wires.
Help your cables blend into the environment by stapling the cables to the walls (via staple gun) and painting the wires the same color of your walls. This makes the cables less noticeable from a distance.

A similar alternative would be using a cord cover. If you can find one that matches your walls perfectly, you can eliminate the painting step.

Hide wires within baseboards.

The narrow wooden boards that run along the lowest part of the wall are known as the baseboards and can be a helpful ally in concealing your wires. If you have enough doorways in your home, this method can be especially easy.

Remove the baseboards and fish the cables in the gap between the wall and the floor. Make sure the wires are in the proper position before replacing the baseboards.

Aside from the baseboards, you may also hide the security camera wires inside or behind large pieces of furniture (ex. bookshelves, mantels, under the carpet).

Be sure to plan the wiring route first and then fasten the hanging wires with binder clips behind the nearby pieces.

Use a plastic tube.
If you are hiding the cables of your outdoor security cameras, using a plastic tube not only covers the wires, but can also protect the cables from harsh weather conditions and external damages.
- Because this method involves drilling through studs and threading the tube, you may want to contact an experienced installer.
  Note: Unless you seek professional help, the wires will be almost inaccessible in case of power failure.

Run wires through the walls/ceilings.
If the power source or monitor for your security camera happens to be on the other side of the wall or ceiling, you can take a shortcut by drilling holes in the wall and threading the wires through. The camera, in turn, would be the only visible part.
- For your own safety and the safety of your equipment, be sure to turn off the power source before you run security camera wires.
- Begin by drilling holes in the position where the outlet or monitor will be, and use a straightened metal coat hanger to look for any unforeseen obstructions within the wall.
- Feed the wires through the walls or ceilings to where you need them to go.

Install a completely wireless security camera.
If you don’t want to deal with concealing security camera wires, you can always opt for completely wireless security cameras. Wireless security cameras are powered by batteries or solar-panels and can make the installation process easier. But remember, wireless security cameras are not always wire-free. You may need to run wires to power the plugged-in wireless IP cameras.

If you need help installing your security cameras and hiding the cables, please feel free to contact us at 888-203-6294 or visit SecurityCamExpert.com. It’s our pleasure to help you find the CCTV surveillance system that suits your security needs. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Posted in Safety Tips, Security Camera Tips, Security Tips, SecurityCamExpert.com | Tagged Conceal your wires, Hide Security Camera Wires, How To, Safeguard your system, security camera cables