Buying a video surveillance system for your business? Follow these 7 steps. [infographic]

Video surveillance camera
2 minute read  

There are many options when it comes to protecting your property, but a video surveillance system can play a big role. It’s tough for thieves to escape the watchful eyes of a well-designed video surveillance system. Video surveillance provides you with evidence that can help you and the police catch criminals on your property. But just like movies, the quality of video evidence can widely vary. Some are blockbusters, while others are box-office bombs. You should know what system is best for your business before purchasing one. These 7 Speilberg Steps will help you set up the right video surveillance system for protecting your business. Check out the infographic below!

7 Spielberg Steps for setting up your video surveillance system

  1. Scout your location. Similar to The Goonies’ search for buried treasure, the layout of a video system begins with a map. A simple map of your property will help define where cameras should be mounted and aimed.
  2. Aerial Shots or Close-Ups? Certain camera angles are effective in certain situations. A high-mounted dome camera with a wide-angle lens can capture criminal activity in a parking lot, while a longer focal length lens aimed at vehicle-height will help identify getaway drivers. Cover as many angles as possible.
  3. There’s a camera for every occasion! Each type of camera is designed for a specific task. A Pan-Tilt-Zoom model can help track suspicious activities in real time. A bullet camera with infrared lights can extend visibility at night. Determine which camera is best for your business.
  4. Old Faithful vs. New and Improved. Choosing between CCTV and IP can be tough. On one hand, IP-based video surveillance systems offer much higher resolutions than CCTV. That said, high-quality video costs more and can overwhelm a company’s IT infrastructure unless properly managed. Determine what your business is able to manage.
  5. Record and store. The video of a crime in action is helpful, but other valuable clues may be recorded in the preceding days. Were certain employees lingering in areas they didn’t belong? It’s tempting to delete these scenes but they can be used to identify accomplices and help prevent future crimes.
  6. Lights, camera, action! Proper lighting helps to ensure that thieves cannot hide in the shadows. The cameras themselves can also make a difference. Models with a low lux rating and infrared (IR) capabilities will offer better views in low-light situations.
  7. Protect your footage. Video recordings are governed by privacy laws, so cameras should only be aimed in public areas. Company policies are also required to include timelines concerning how long video is stored, logs to record those who view the contents, and added security for the recordings themselves.

TruShield Video Surveillance System Infographic

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