THOUGHT CENTER > Blog > Security Cameras
September 8, 2023
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Are you ready to invest in a CCTV (closed-circuit television) camera system or upgrade for your business or organization?
In this guide, we'll walk you through the key factors you must consider to select the right CCTV equipment and the best CCTV professional installers for quality monitoring coverage.
Identification of vulnerable areas and security system requirements are the foundation of a well-designed security system.
The first step in evaluating your security needs is to identify vulnerable areas on your property. These could include areas with restricted physical access and low visibility, as well as high-security spaces that require tight security and extra surveillance.
Covering all entrances is a no-brainer. But don't just place the cameras anywhere. For optimal coverage, your installer must consider the height and angle of placed cameras.
Intruders often use windows to break into properties. A camera trained on these potential entry points adds an extra layer of security and can capture actionable evidence.
Lobbies, waiting rooms, and hallways are high-traffic areas that should be monitored.
Restricted areas are usually rooms within larger buildings that contain valuable or sensitive data or inventory. Examples of restricted areas in office buildings include spaces containing patient information, medications, and financial data.
Once you've identified the vulnerable areas of your property, it’s time to determine system requirements. Requirements include the number of cameras needed, the types of cameras suitable for monitoring each vulnerable area, and the storage capacity your video footage will require.
Before selecting particular camera types for installation, there are a few basic features that you should demand of any camera included with your surveillance installation.
Only use IP (Internet Protocol) cameras and security systems.
Unlike old-school analog CCTV cameras, IP security systems and devices are able to connect to the Internet securely. This connection empowers users to manage their system and access live streams and recorded footage on web browsers and smartphone applications at any time and from any location with Internet service.
Employees need not be in a centralized CCTV room to monitor all corners of your site. With IP camera systems, they can move throughout your property, all while keeping an eye on your entire security infrastructure using a smartphone app.
CCTV camera resolution is a crucial factor to consider when selecting your CCTV equipment. It refers to the number of pixels that compose an image, with higher-resolution cameras offering greater detail and sharper images.
High-definition and high-resolution cameras capture the evidence needed for effective investigations and suspect identification.
When selecting CCTV equipment, consider the integration capabilities of the system. This includes the capacity to link to other security systems, such as those for access control and threat detection.
Integration capabilities allow for a more comprehensive security system, making it easier to manage your property’s security from a single interface.
Now that you know what core standards to expect from any camera you consider adding to your video surveillance infrastructure, you're ready to consider the different security camera types available for commercial-grade business security systems.
Each of the following camera types has its own unique features, advantages, and ideal use cases. Knowing these key characteristics can help you make a more informed decision when choosing between them for coverage of vulnerable areas.
Bullet cameras offer long-range vision and are typically equipped with weather-resistant features. They're designed to capture images in a fixed direction and are the go-to choice for coverage of areas like backyards and long driveways.
What's more, as the most noticeable type of camera, bullets provide the greatest deterrence. They can commonly be found in areas targeted by criminals, including gas stations and banks.
Turret cameras offer a more discreet profile than bullet cameras. They stand out from other camera types because they have a ball-and-socket design that allows for easy angle adjustment after installation.
These cameras are disguised by dome-shaped housings that make them ideal for indoor surveillance in upscale and hospitality environments where more recognizable cameras may be off-putting to customers.
These cameras are best used for indoor surveillance because they tend to malfunction or break whenever the weather changes.
Dome cameras usually come with a wide-angle lens, making them ideal for monitoring large areas like retail stores and airport luggage carousels.
Known for their ultra-wide-angle lenses, fisheye cameras are famous for providing near-panoramic views of monitored areas. They're often employed in retail stores and large warehouses for overview monitoring.
License plate recognition cameras come equipped with software tailored to capture and record license plates. They’re often implemented at parking lots, toll booths, and gated entrances because they seamlessly capture user data to enable fast but securely controlled entry management with audit trails.
As the name suggests, pan-tilt-zoom security cameras offer a range of movements, including panning (left to right), tilting (up and down), and zooming (in and out).
These cameras are best used in scenarios where artificial intelligence (AI) software or security personnel are actively monitoring surveillance feeds. Their motorized parts allow them to quickly focus on and even follow objects of interest that stationary overview cameras can’t follow or zoom in on.
Multi-sensor cameras incorporate multiple lens and sensor types into a single unit to capture more than one viewing angle simultaneously.
Often used in large outdoor areas, these cameras provide turbocharged coverage by combining the strengths of multiple cameras into one unit. In fact, many multi-sensor cameras are able to stitch together multiple images to create 360-degree views without the distortions commonly associated with ultra-wide-angle lenses.
Storage is essential to functional CCTV systems. Without storage, the data is lost the minute it is live-streamed.
Cloud storage enables you to store video feeds offsite, providing additional security in the event of a fire or flood.
Local storage refers to video security footage data stored on local, on-site storage devices, such as hard drives, DVRs, and NVRs.
Two important factors to consider when selecting video storage systems are the resolutions and frame rates of the footage that must be stored.
The higher the resolution a camera has, the greater the amount of storage space it will require for its data. Similarly, cameras with higher frame rates require increased storage space. A camera's frame rate refers to the number of frames per second (fps) that it can capture. While each additional frame per second will require its own storage, higher frame rates enable smoother video playback.
Lastly, consider the appropriate cabling solution for your CCTV system. This includes dedicated security camera cabling for power and data transmission. For commercial-grade reliability, be sure to avoid wireless systems. They are only as reliable as the Wi-Fi they use to transmit data.
Instead, commercial properties should opt for hardwiring to ensure that their video security system will function reliably.
After evaluating your security needs and understanding how CCTV camera options apply to those needs, it's time to find a professional installer.
When choosing from a range of CCTV installers, it’s important to look for certifications and accreditations to ensure they meet industry standards.
Certifications guarantee that the professional installer has the necessary qualifications and expertise to install your CCTV system professionally and effectively.
An installer with a proven track record of successful installations and satisfied customers is more likely to provide a high-quality service.
Security system dealer installers like Mammoth Security with A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings are significantly more likely than others to resolve customer concerns in a satisfactory manner. Keeping an A+ rating means keeping customers happy by resolving their concerns fairly. Mammoth Security is honored to have earned and maintained its A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Even greater than solid BBB ratings are endorsements from state regulatory bodies. have proven that their business meets the highest standards of quality and integrity in the industry.
For example, Mammoth Security has been certified by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) as a Prequalification Construction Contractor, meaning that cities and towns are no longer required to request and wait for multiple bids before assigning projects to Mammoth Security.
Mammoth Security earned this coveted bidding status only after passing extensive background checks, thorough reviews of CPA-prepared financial documents, and a rigorous evaluation of the following categories:
Make sure your chosen installer has knowledge of privacy and security regulations like HIPAA and experience building systems that comply with such regulations. This helps to avoid potential legal issues and ensures that your CCTV system is operated without violating the law.
For assistance with CCTV installation that respects regulations, reach out to the team at Mammoth Security.
While the goal is comprehensive coverage, it's necessary to respect privacy. For example, cameras in areas like bathrooms and employee breakrooms are generally a big no-no.
Choose an installer with programming and computer networking expertise. This expertise allows the installer to properly configure your system, troubleshoot any issues, and make sure your system is connected to the appropriate networks.
It’s important to select an installer that offers a variety of brand and model options to suit your specific security needs. This ensures that you'll have access to the latest technologies while also having a wide selection of cameras and equipment to meet your needs.
Mammoth Security works with the best security camera manufacturers in the industry. By working with a wide range of security camera manufacturers, our team at Mammoth Security is able to furnish a massive array of camera models with different features and price points.
Lastly, consider the installer’s location. An installer located nearby can provide faster and more convenient service when you need it.
Connecticut is a small state, and our team is mammoth enough to meet you anywhere in it—no problem!
Effective communication ensures a smooth working relationship throughout the installation process and beyond. It’s, therefore, essential to select an installer who is responsive, easy to communicate with, and available to address any concerns or questions you have.
Once you have selected a professional security installer, it’s time to work closely with them to bring your CCTV system to life.
The first step in working with your installer is a site survey and assessment. During this stage, the installer will visit your property to evaluate optimal camera placements, determine necessary equipment and infrastructure, and identify any potential obstacles and blind spots.
This assessment is crucial to designing a CCTV system for maximum effectiveness at your site.
After the site survey and assessment, your installer will provide a design proposal, which should include:
This proposal serves as a reference for both you and the installer, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and that the installation process goes smoothly.
Your chosen CCTV installation team should carry out the installation efficiently, adhering to industry standards and ensuring that all equipment is installed correctly. The installation process includes:
Once the installation is complete, it’s important to ensure that your staff is trained on system operation and maintenance. The friendly security experts at Mammoth Security provide 100% free training for staff and system administrators for every new installation and upgrade. This training covers topics such as camera management tools, system management tools, and best practices.
A successful CCTV camera system requires ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that it continues to function effectively.
To keep your system running smoothly, select an installer that offers maintenance and troubleshooting services.
Regular maintenance helps to identify and address potential issues before they become major problems, and troubleshooting services provide assistance in the event of system malfunctions or failures.
As your security needs evolve, it’s important to ensure that your CCTV system can adapt to meet these changing requirements. System upgrades and changes, such as updating cameras, scaling up coverage, and integrating different security systems together, enhance the effectiveness of your security system.
Cost considerations—such as equipment, installation, video storage, and operating costs—are also crucial to weigh against your security needs and budget.
The average cost of installing a CCTV system depends on the type of equipment and the size of the system. Prices per camera typically range from $600 to $2,000.
We hope this guide has provided valuable insights and practical advice that will help you choose the right components and installer for effective security monitoring at your business or organization.
By following the steps outlined in this guide and working with security installers like those on our team at Mammoth Security, you can be sure that your property is protected by a robust and reliable CCTV system. For a 100% free site survey and security assessment, reach out to our team today!
NOT COMPLETELY SURE?
860-748-4292When choosing between CCTV systems, make sure to take into account budget and features, such as HD or IP technology, camera type, recorder features, and cabling.
The main difference between a CCTV technician and a CCTV operator is that a technician comes in to troubleshoot software and repair necessary hardware while an operator monitors the footage as it is being recorded.
Yes, electricians can install CCTV cameras as they are familiar with the wiring and can do it without causing any damage.
There's a range of CCTV camera options to choose from, including bullet, turret, dome, fisheye, License Plate Recognition (LPR), pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ), and multi-sensor cameras. Each type has its own set of features and ideal use scenarios. For example, bullet cameras are suited for long-range vision, while dome cameras are more discreet and should usually be installed indoors.
Selecting a qualified CCTV installer involves evaluating their certifications, experience, and reputation. It's also important to consider their expertise in computer networking and programming, as well as their familiarity with different types of cameras and privacy regulations.
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