Theft, vandalism, loitering…these crimes are on the rise, and your business might be the next target. However, there is a way to make the odds much less likely. Live video surveillance can drastically improve your protection against break-ins.
For more than 15 years, Sirix has helped thousands of organizations secure their outside perimeters. If you want to maximize your business’s protection against crimes, you will appreciate these 8 actionable video surveillance tips.
Let’s get right into it.
What is perimeter security?
It refers to the safeguarding of a property’s boundaries. Most threats come from outside your premises. The goal is to protect your business from intruders before they can cause any harm. By implementing simple practices and the use of video surveillance, you can increase your perimeter security and keep trespassers out.
Tip 1: Ensure the continuous safety of your organization with regular security device testing
Why is it important?
Security devices must be tested on a regular basis to ensure that they are working properly and successfully protecting your company’s premises. Without regular testing, devices may malfunction and fail to detect possible threats, leaving your organization open to security breaches.
Furthermore, regular testing enables the identification and adjustment of any vulnerabilities or flaws in the security system, so ensuring the business’s and its assets’ ongoing safety.
How to perform walk tests of your security devices?
We can perform walk tests in the following ways.
1. Visual Inspection
When they are accessible, start by taking a look at the security devices around your perimeter, such as video surveillance cameras, radars, and motion detectors. Check for any damage or wear and tear that could affect their performance. Report any equipment deterioration to your security installer.
2. Functional testing
To do this, call your security installer. They will then work with the security operations center to test your security devices thoroughly. For example, they will check if cameras are recording clear images and motion detectors are detecting movement. They may ask you to walk in front of your business video surveillance cameras or motion detectors. This will help make sure the devices can identify possible threats and tell the difference between actual dangers and false alarms. To ensure that the camera gets clear images, conduct the tests when it is dark outside.
3. Analytics testing
You should also get help with this step from your security installer. With the security operations center, they will test the analytics capabilities of your security devices, like your business cameras. They will make sure that your security equipment can accurately find and track objects, and send alerts when they need to. Again, they should test when it is dark outside.
4. Network testing
Do this step the first time you set up live video surveillance and every time you add a new device. Your security installer should organize regular network connectivity testing with the security operations center. The goal is to make sure your security devices can communicate with your other equipment and systems, such as perimeter alarm systems and security management software.
5. Periodic testing
The best way to make sure your organization is always safe is to test it at regular intervals. The objective is to verify that all of the devices are working optimally and to find any problems that may have developed over time. This is the most effective method of preventing robberies and break-ins.
Summary
It is important to test your security devices regularly so you can identify problems and fix them. This way, you can make sure that your business and its assets are always protected. Visual inspection, functional testing, analytics testing, network testing, and periodic testing are the 5 steps to thoroughly evaluating your security devices. Request that your security installer perform frequent functional, analytics, and network testing.
Tip 2: Avoid false alarms by giving yourself and your staff a way to disarm the security system
Why is it important?
All employees and subcontractors who regularly enter your secured perimeter during video surveillance hours should have a means of disarming your business video surveillance system.
Here are the major reasons:
1. Less false alarms
Many employees or subcontractors might enter the security perimeter during video surveillance hours. For example, the cleaning crew might work at night.
The delivery personnel may show up after hours. Or the first employees who arrive on the premises in the morning. Giving them a way to disarm your security system makes it less likely that it will go off by accident.
False alarms cause unnecessary disruptions and can slow down the work of your employees and subcontractors. Some alarm or remote video monitoring centers may also charge you for too many false alarms.
2. Less time wasted
If employees have to wait for security personnel to disarm the system before they can get in, their work can be slowed down or interrupted. If they can turn off the system themselves, they can start working right away, without any delays.
3. Trust and ownership among employees
Trusting employees to disarm the system can promote a sense of ownership among employees. They will care more about the safety of your business or organization.
Disarming options and how to choose the best one for your business
There are many disarming options available for your business. Here are a few of the most popular:
1. Mobile Applications
This option is especially practical when you have many employees entering and exiting your business premises. First, you download the security company application on your phone.
You then use your phone to arm and disarm your security system. The app can only be used on your site by people who have been given the account password.
Many apps offer the option to remotely arm or disarm your site. Moreover, some apps also allow authorized users to view live footage through your business video surveillance system.
2. Remote Control
When you press a button on the remote control, it sends a unique code to the security system’s receiver. The receiver then checks the code to see if it matches the one in the security system’s memory. If it does, it will either arm or disarm the system, depending on what the code says. You can find remote controls of different security levels. Those with a rolling code feature make it especially difficult for intruders to hack your system.
3. Access Control
Access control is used to make sure only authorized personnel can enter and exit your building. When an employee comes to work, they either enter a security code, swipe a keycard, or submit themselves to a biometric analysis. The access control system checks the employee’s credentials and grants access to the building.
As the employee enters the building, the access control system sends a signal to the security system to disarm it. When the employee leaves the building, the same story happens. They use their keycard or enter a security code, or submit themselves to a biometric analysis at the access control reader again.
The access control system verifies the employee’s credentials and grants access to exit the building. As the employee exits the building, the access control system sends a signal to the security system to arm it.
Here is another advantage to this option. The system can also log the time of entry and exit of an employee. This makes it possible to keep track of who is in the building at all times, which could be helpful for security reasons and also for keeping track of how long employees are there.
Genetec’s Synergis access control system is worth a look if you want a unified security solution that can connect to a wide range of third-party access control devices.
Now, How to choose the arming/disarming option that will fit your business the best?
Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision:
1. Security level
Think about how much security you need and how much access you want to give employees. For example, if you want a higher level of security, you might want to use an access control system with biometrics.
2. Convenience
Think about how simple and easy it is for employees to turn off the system. For example, if employees need to get in and out of the building often, a keypad or mobile app that lets them quickly and easily disarm the system may be the best choice.
3. Integration
Think about how the system integrates with other security devices and systems. You can discuss this point with your security installer. They will be able to tell you what kind of technology will work best with your current security structure.
4. Cost
Think about how much different options will cost and whether they are within your budget.
5. Scalability
Consider whether the technology can be easily scaled as your business grows. You should talk to your security expert who can figure out what your business needs and suggest the best way to protect it.
Summary
You, your regular employees, and your subcontractors should all be able to turn off your security system. This reduces the number of false alarms, cuts down on work delays and interruptions, and gives employees a sense of trust and ownership. When choosing from the different options for disarming, your business should think about things like security level, the convenience of use, integration, cost, and scalability.
Tip 3: Catch intruders quickly with adequate lighting
Why is it important?
When using AI for remote video monitoring, there needs to be enough light. Indeed, the AI uses what it sees from the business cameras to make decisions and perform tasks. When there isn’t enough light, it can be hard for the AI to figure out who or what something is.
This can cause its analysis and decisions to be wrong or not as good as they could be. Having enough light also helps make sure that the video footage is clear and of high quality, which is important for both live monitoring and later review.
How do you make sure your site has enough light?
Set up enough lights in key spots around your site. Your security installer can help you with this task. The goal is for all of the cameras to have enough light so that the images are clear enough for the AI to understand. When necessary, add more light sources. Preferably, do not use cameras with built-in infrared.
In fact, light is reflected on the lens by things like heavy rain, snow, spider webs, fog, and obstacles. This makes the image unclear and hard for the AI to understand.
This can cause its analysis and decisions to be wrong or not as good as they could be. Having enough light also helps make sure that the video footage is clear and of high quality, which is important for both live monitoring and later review.
With Axis Communications’ Lighting for Network Video’s guide, you can learn more about how to make better lighting in dark places to protect your business.
Summary
Adequate lighting on your site is required for the camera AI to correctly analyze images and draw the right conclusions. If there isn’t enough light, it might make a mistake and leave your business open to break-ins. Make sure to add enough light sources on your site so that all cameras see clear images. Your security installer can help you with this task.
Tip 4: Stop break-ins by checking to see if anything is blocking the cameras’ view
Why is it important?
It is important to make sure that nothing is blocking the fields of view of your business’s security cameras. If a camera is blocked, it will not be able to see or record possible security threats or incidents, making it hard to find them and take action. Indeed, a blocked camera can create blind spots in the monitored area. This makes it easier for intruders to get into your property or take things without being seen.
How to keep things out of the way of your cameras’ fields of view?
Security cameras’ fields of view must be checked and maintained regularly to ensure proper operation and to keep people out of your business’s perimeter. What to look for?
1. Branches
Tree branches or bushes might grow in front of your cameras. Check the plants on your property regularly. Go ahead and cut what is blocking the way.
2. Flags
Depending on which way the wind blows, the company’s flag may move in different directions. Make sure it never gets in the way of the view of one of your security cameras.
3. Spider webs
Spiders might make webs right in front of your video surveillance cameras. Use a cloth to get rid of webs.
4. Dirt
Your cameras can get dirty from things like rain, snow, air pollution, and sand. Use a cloth to clean the lens when needed.
Summary
Blocked cameras cannot see or record potential security threats, leaving your business at risk. You should regularly check and maintain your cameras’ fields of view. Look for obstruction by elements such as, branches, flags, spider webs, and dirt.
TIP 5: Keep criminals away from your property with regular voice talk-down audio testing
Why is it important?
Voice talk-down is used to keep people from breaking into a property by making it clear that the area is being watched. A recorded message or a remote security operator warns intruders that they have been detected and that they should leave the property immediately. Or else, the authorities will be called. Voice talk-down is a powerful crime deterrent.
How to do audio testing for voice talk-down?
Just talk to your security professional. They will set up a test with the security operations center. Make sure to do these tests on a regular basis.
Summary
Voice talk-down is a powerful deterrent. It notifies trespassers that they have been detected and must leave the premises immediately. Talk to your security professional to schedule audio tests on a regular basis.
Even though they have nothing to do with it directly, the next 3 tips will support your company’s live video surveillance solution. They give you more protection against crime. Whether or not you use camera for business security, you should implement them.
Tip 6: Secure the perimeter of your business with an undamaged fence
Why is it important?
If your business is surrounded by a fence, make sure it is in good condition. A fence can be a physical barrier that makes it hard for intruders to get in. It can also make people think twice before doing something. If the fence is broken, it loses its ability to keep people out and makes it easier for trespassers to break into the property. A broken fence can also make it look like the property is not protected, which could make criminals more likely to break in.
How to use a fence to keep your property safe?
Check the whole surface that the fence surrounds on a regular basis. Fix any holes or tears right away.
Summary
When a fence is broken, it’s easier for people to get in. If your business has a fence around it, make sure it is in good shape. Immediately fix any holes or tears.
Tip 7: Discourage intruders with live surveillance warning signs
Why is it important?
Setting up live surveillance warning signs can be an efficient strategy to safeguard your business. Even if your organization does not use live video surveillance, this is still a good way to protect it. These signs serve as a visual deterrent to potential intruders, letting them know that your property is being monitored and recorded.
Also, having video surveillance cameras and warning signs can give employees, customers, and visitors a sense of security and make them feel safer while they are on your property. It is also a legal notice since it can be used as proof if someone commits a crime on your property. In some places, it is also the law that surveillance warning signs be put up.
Where should live surveillance warning signs be placed?
Live surveillance warning signs should be put in prominent places on your business’s property so that potential intruders can see them.
Here are a few important locations:
1. At the entrance of your property
2. All around the perimeter of your property
3. Near the video surveillance camera
4. Inside your property
Choose a font size and color that is easy to read from a distance and in a variety of lighting conditions. Put the signs where they can be seen without being blocked.
Summary
Putting up live surveillance warning signs is a good way to discourage crime, make your employees and visitors feel safe on your property, and comply with the law. Make sure your signs can be seen from a far distance and at night. Put them at all the entrances, near your security cameras, and inside your property.
Tip 8: Stop burglary and robbery with strong locks for gates and storage areas
Why is it important?
Strong locks deter vandalism and loitering while also protecting your business and valuables. What does it do exactly?
1. It deters intruders
Strong locks can serve as a deterrent to potential intruders, making it more difficult for them to gain access to your property.
2. It protects your assets
Strong locks can protect your business’s assets by keeping them secure and preventing unauthorized access.
3. It helps your business comply with regulations
Using strong locks can help your business follow any regional or national laws or regulations that require certain security measures.
4. It helps you meet the requirements of your insurance policy
Strong gates and storage area locks might help your organization meet insurance policy security criteria.
5. It gives you peace of mind.
Strong locks can give the business owner, employees, and visitors peace of mind that the property is safe and their belongings are safe.
What are the various types of locks available?
Deadbolts
They secure a door with a metal bolt. They are often used for gates and storage areas because they are thought to be very safe.
Padlocks
They can be opened with a key or a set of numbers. They are considered very secure and often used in combination with other types of locks.
Electronic locks
They use a keypad or a card reader to unlock the door. They have the benefit of letting authorized people in without a key and of being able to keep track of the time and person who entered the area.
Smart locks
They can be controlled by a smartphone or another smart device. They have the advantage of being able to be opened from a distance and letting authorized people in without a key.
Biometric locks
They can be opened with fingerprints, a face scan, or other biometric information. They have the benefit of being extremely secure and being able to let authorized people in without the need for a key.
Find out more with this complete guide on commercial locks.
Where should I place the locks?
Gates on your property and storage areas where valuable equipment, inventory, or private documents are kept should have locks. Some of the locks mentioned above require a power source. Then, they should be placed where power is available.
Summary
Strong locks can keep people from breaking in, protect your belongings, help your business meet national regulations and your insurance policy’s requirements, and give you peace of mind. There are many kinds of locks. You should choose the one that works best for your business’s needs.
Bottom Line
Now, you have it! 8 simple tips to protect your business perimeter against crime. Which strategy from this post are you most likely to try first? Or maybe you are already implementing them all? Either way, let us know by leaving a comment below.
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