Ever realized the video surveillance system for your business wasn’t recording properly or storing footage? Or, have you scrolled through your surveillance footage only to realize something is obstructing the view?
Unfortunately, most businesses only discover issues with their video surveillance systems when it’s too late – after a security incident has occurred or when they want to look through video footage.
Installing a video surveillance system is a great first step to protect your business or get better productivity from your people.
However, security cameras are not a set it and forget it solution. Without regular monitoring, you could run into a variety of issues that will prevent your video surveillance system from working when you need it most.
Here are just a few of the most common issues businesses face with their video surveillance cameras:
When your security provider installed your video surveillance system, they ensured the cameras had a good view of your facility, entryway or parking lot.
However, just because your cameras were set up properly, it doesn’t mean they will stay that way. Anything from trees, debris, and animals to human interference can prevent cameras from doing their job.
If you live in the Nashville area, you know that we can have some pretty strong spring storms. That’s why it’s not uncommon for tree branches and debris to get blown around and get in the way of your security cameras.
Cameras can also get bumped or moved, which could cause them to have a less than optimal view of the area you want to film.
Oftentimes, businesses see the live CCTV feed on their monitors and assume the video is being recorded. But, that’s not always the case.
Just because you can see the live feed doesn’t mean that the surveillance system is recording. The issue can be as simple as not having the recording function turned on or occur as a more complicated failure with the recording system.
If your recording function isn’t working properly, you might not have video footage when you need it.
One of the biggest issues we see with commercial video surveillance systems is that there are not enough cameras to cover the designated area. Oftentimes, a business will try to make one or two cameras do the job that five or six cameras should do.
Forcing a camera to capture a wide angle and also be able to zoom in and get a lot of detail will rarely work well for your business. And as a result, you’ll have poor image quality that won’t help you see your footage well.
Another issue we run into often is dirty or foggy lenses. If the camera lenses are not regularly cleaned, you might have trouble capturing quality video footage.
Just like your computer system, your video surveillance cameras need regular hardware and software updates to function properly.
If you haven’t updated your security system hardware or software in a while, you could run into issues with the system if you don’t keep it up to date.
Whether your cameras are wireless or hard-wired, they must have power running to them to work properly. While that seems like a no-brainer, it can become an issue if the power gets knocked out or if the batteries fail.
That’s why you must make sure your regular power sources and backup power sources are working and ready when you need them.
Your cameras might be working, but are they communicating with the network and your security system?
With any kind of wireless communication system, you can run into issues with signal strength or interference. If your cameras are not communicating with the system or the remote access point, you will lose the control you need for the security cameras to do their job.
So, what can you do to avoid or prevent these video surveillance system outages?
Regular monitoring and maintenance of your video surveillance system is critical to ensure your cameras are functioning as intended.
The problem is that most businesses don’t have the time or expertise on staff to stay on top of this task. That’s why it pays to work with a security integrator that can perform regular preventative maintenance on your system.
And if you want to take it one step further, ACT is the first security provider in Nashville to provide remote monitoring and diagnostics of your video surveillance system. Once a month, we’ll run a check of your system to look for lens clarity, obstructions, video recording and retention, time stamping and more.
Although you can’t prevent weather interference or power outages, you can be prepared for these issues and make sure your system will work when they arise.
Contact ACT to make sure there’s nothing standing in the way of capturing crisp, clear video footage of your business. We’d love to help!
Looking to take your security or technology to the next level? Request your free site assessment today. We’ll review your goals and walk through your building or home to help you determine the best solution.
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