In today’s environment, a business needs all the help it can get to protect its assets. As a business owner, you can’t be present everywhere at all times. Fortunately, there are plenty of security options and one of the most comprehensive and affordable options is a CCTV system.

CCTV systems have come a long way. Today’s CCTV systems are much more sophisticated as they are connected to the internet and pack in a lot more features. 

You will naturally have many questions regarding what type of CCTV system you need, what features it should have, what is the right price, and many other questions. 

The blog post is focused on helping you explore various types of video surveillance equipment, why CCTV is necessary for your business and what type of camera you should choose and a few other things to help you make your business more secure.

What Is a CCTV?

The term stands for closed-circuit television. It is interchangeably used with video surveillance. It’s called closed-circuit as the video feed captured by the cameras is sent to a private network and is not available for public viewing.

The system can be used for monitoring live events and storing that footage for later reference.

Benefits of CCTV for Businesses

A CCTV system is a decent investment and every business owner thinks twice before putting up the cash. You might be wondering whether the investment is worth it for your business. Here’s what you should know about the advantages of a CCTV system for businesses:

  1. It helps in deterring criminals from stealing
  2. Security footage from CCTV systems goes a long way in proving criminal activity
  3. It offers peace of mind
  4. It helps in deterring shoplifting as well as employee theft
  5. You can also use it for making your business processes more efficient

Types of Video Surveillance Equipment

There are three basic parts of a video surveillance system: cameras to capture, hard disks for storage and a display system. These three parts could be connected through hardwires or wirelessly.

The biggest problem with choosing the right system for a business is the fact that there are thousands of combinations of these systems with different costs and features. Here is what you should know about each of these components:

Camera

A huge range of cameras is available at various price points. Some cameras are connected through a hard line to the recording equipment but there are also wireless cameras that are connected through Wi-Fi. 

An important thing you need to consider is the field of capture such as a wide-angle camera or a camera offering 360° vision and its focal length as well as the distance up to which it can capture an image clearly.

Some cameras also have infrared capability which means they can capture images in low light. There are also motion-activated cameras that start capturing feed when the sensor detects motion.

Recording Device

The device where the media file is stored is known as DVR or a digital video recorder. The footage is sent to this device which transcodes the data and makes it available in an appropriate format. There are different types of DVR recorders. Some of these systems are capable of storing the data locally and uploading it to a cloud service.

Monitors

These are display devices that can be configured to show feeds from several cameras at one time. There are also IP cameras that send the footage over the internet which means you can also use your phone, laptop or computer to watch the live feed.

CCTV for Businesses

What CCTV Can Do for Your Business

One of the biggest advantages of investing in a CCTV system for your business is the peace of mind it brings. Criminals tend to stay away from properties with visible security systems. While deterring criminals is a big advantage, one of the lesser-known benefits is loss prevention due to employee theft, shoplifting and fraud.

It is estimated that Australian businesses lose more than $2.5 billion each year due to retail shrinkage which is a term that covers employee theft, shoplifting, fraud, breakage, vandalism as well as expired goods. Two of the biggest contributors to this number are employee theft and shoplifting.

A good quality CCTV system has proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent employee theft and shoplifting.

The lesser-known benefit of a CCTV system is that it can also help you improve your business processes and make them more efficient. By recording the day-to-day activity at your business, you can take a holistic view of your business on ways to make things more efficient. 

Which Type of CCTV Camera Is Right for Your Business?

There are thousands of CCTV cameras out there with a particular set of features and in a wide price range. You can pick one up for around $100 but you can also spend over a thousand dollars. Here’s what you should know before choosing the right CCTV cameras for your business:

  • Bullet Camera — This camera looks like a cylinder and can be installed almost everywhere. It typically comes equipped with motorised infrared and zoom options. Since these are bigger in size, they can use big lenses to get the maximum possible range.
  • Dome Camera — These cameras look like a dome and are usually installed on ceilings. One of the biggest advantages of these cameras is their coverage of a large field of view which makes them perfect for big rooms. There are also easy to maintain and are perfect for warehouses as well as similar industrial spaces.
  • IP Camera— As the name implies, these are stand-alone cameras that can be installed anywhere. They can transfer files over the Internet which means it is not always necessary to connect them with a wire.

While these are some of the most popular types of cameras, you should know that not every camera is right for every situation. You should choose a camera based on your particular requirements such as the area that needs to be covered, any special requirements as well as your budget. It is better to get in touch with a professional team with plenty of experience in the field to get the necessary guidance on choosing the right camera for your business.

Ideally, a CCTV camera for business should have:

  • Hi-resolution capture 
  • Infrared vision
  • Ability to zoom 
  • Ability to move the camera
  • Ability to record sounds
  • Wide field of vision

Whatever camera or CCTV system you plan to choose, make sure you consult with experienced professionals to cover all of your security needs. Security professionals will help you choose the right cameras and the right places to install them to ensure that your business is covered from all angles. They will also provide regular servicing and maintenance services in case something isn’t working as it should.

Also, these security professionals are aware of the latest changes in privacy laws. Privacy laws are constantly evolving which means you can’t install cameras everywhere or record sounds everywhere. This is why it’s important to engage the services of a security professional to make sure you are on the right side of the law when it comes to CCTV system installation.

Final Thoughts

Overall, investment in a CCTV system has become essential for all businesses. The right CCTV system not only helps deter criminals but also prevents shoplifting, employee theft and fraud. You also get peace of mind as you can monitor your business 24 x 7 with the right setup. Also, you can monitor the footage to improve your business processes to make things more efficient.

Let us customise your CCTV surveillance system

InnerTelligence is one of the premier security partners in Australia with a focus on helping businesses keep their establishments safe, secure, and sustainable. We have helped hundreds of businesses to make their premises more secure. We specialise in providing comprehensive security systems to cover all your security needs regardless of your industry.

Please give us a call at 1300 312 184 or leave an enquiry to learn more about integrated gym access control and CCTV security solutions today!