What You Need to Know About Video Security Systems

The primary goal of video security ― improving safety ― hasn’t changed much since businesses first embraced video surveillance. But everything else has. The days of blurry, low-resolution video, bulky hardware, and limited storage have given way to a new wave of video technology.

Today’s systems are designed to prevent crime and feature powerful tools that are more user-friendly and affordable than ever. Staying current on the latest trends and technologies can help you choose a system that works for you. Here are some important developments in modern video surveillance.

What Are The Components of Secure Video Surveillance?

Older surveillance systems were primarily built around viewing live and recorded footage. While capturing real-time video is still a centerpiece of video security, it’s now just one part of a more extensive array of safety options. Here are several pieces of a comprehensive security approach.

	Security Cameras Provide visual coverage for a business, both indoor and outdoor, with wireless, hi-def, and AI capabilities.
	Alarm and Sensor Integration Connect your video system with a network of motion, noise, and entry sensors to trigger a response in the event of a security incident.
	Live Monitoring Support in the form of live, professional monitors who are on-call and ready to respond to alarms, verify threats, and alert authorities.
	Remote Access Easy-to-use management tools and online apps make it possible to maintain access and control over the video security even if offsite on a laptop or smart phone.

What Are The Essential Features of Modern Security Cameras?

The progression of security technology has manifested most obviously in the cameras. It’s not just the clarity of the footage that’s improved, but the full range of capabilities.

High-definition lenses

Ensures clear footage in variant conditions with resolution specs now as high as 4k and 8k.

Night Vision and Low-Light Recording

Provides high visibility in dim and dark settings.

Motion Sensors

Records footage only once movement has been detected, optimizing energy and storage.

Enhanced with Artificial Intelligence

Assists in distinguishing between harmless and real threats, capable of recognizing behavior patterns, and can provide analytic insights that improve overall performance.

Wireless Capability

For control and access that extends off-site.

What’s The Advantage of a User-Friendly Web Platform?

The development of online and mobile management tools has made video security systems easier to access and control. It’s now possible to maintain full system visibility from anywhere using a smartphone. This allows a security or safety manager to monitor one or more properties at the same time, and conduct tests, pull reports, and change settings no matter the location or time of day.

What Impact is AI Having on Video Surveillance?

The sudden adoption of AI technology has had a dramatic impact on video surveillance. Modern security operations are putting AI to work in numerous ways.

Increased Efficiency

Using specific security algorithms, AI-enhanced cameras can be trained to continuously analyze live footage and determine the proper response to various scenarios. This includes recognizing abnormal behavior or unusual activity that could pose a threat. These advancements can reduce false alarms while improving response times.

Facial Recognition

Video surveillance systems today increasingly use the ability to identify an individual by mapping their facial features. Businesses can use this tool to monitor who’s on their property. Using AI-powered technology, they can match a face against a watchlist database to analyze for potential threats.

Threat Detection and Prevention

By constantly evaluating data from relevant security inputs, AI-enhanced devices can distinguish between real and non-threats, preventing incidents before they occur. The more footage and data an AI-powered camera is exposed to, the more effective it becomes at recognizing patterns and determining a response.

Seamless Integration

When combined with other major components of a security operation, including access control and alarm systems, AI-analytics can improve the overall performance of the system by utilizing resources more efficiently.

What Are The Benefits of Cloud Storage for Video Surveillance Systems?

Historically, storage has been a major issue, and businesses have struggled to balance accessibility, size, and cost. The rise of cloud-based storage has helped simplify the way businesses approach storage.

Here are 4 benefits to cloud storage:

	1. Convenient Live and recorded footage can be accessed anytime and from anywhere via mobile app or web platform. You can also adjust cameras, change settings, and get alerts remotely.
	2. Secure Footage stored on physical, on-site recording devices is more easily damaged, lost, or prone to tampering. Footage stored in the cloud is backed up and secure, preventing data loss in the case of equipment failure or damage.
	3. Flexible Customization to fit your specific security and budget needs will not require any physical installation or equipment changes, whether you need more or less storage.
	4. Scalable Major upgrades or downgrades to your security system won’t hinge on any on-premise restrictions, making it easier to scale as needed.

How Does Live Monitoring Work?

For added security, many video systems include a live monitoring component. This gives businesses additional support and expertise when faced with a security incident. How does live monitoring work?

Here’s an example of a step-by-step response to a security incident by a video surveillance system featuring a professional monitor.

How Does Security Video Surveillance Prevent Theft?

The best way to deal with theft or vandalism is to prevent it before it occurs. Dealing with the aftermath of a security incident is a huge headache, not to mention a financial burden. That’s why deterrence is a point of emphasis for video surveillance systems today.

Here are ways that video security surveillance stops theft and vandalism before it occurs:

	Safeguards perimeter areas Virtual fence technology protects large outdoor areas by responding to any movement that crosses the perimeter, stopping trespassers from getting closer to equipment and inventory.
	Recognizes suspicious patterns and people Cameras embedded with AI analytics can detect abnormal activity and behavior before it results in a security incident and identify individuals with a record of crime who may pose a security threat.
	Proactive protection Automated responses such as warnings sent via loudspeaker send a clear, loud message to intruders that they are being watched and need to leave.
	Layered detection Motion, noise, and perimeter sensors ensure any kind of intrusion will be noticed immediately.
	Live monitoring 24/7 expert support deters crime by verifying alarms and sending additional warnings to potential intruders.
	Data collection AI-analytics, using information gathered throughout the entire security operation (camera footage, incident logs, alarm records, etc), can help illuminate security strengths and weaknesses and improve prevention measures.

Will It Easily Integrate with Existing Systems and Devices?

Older video surveillance systems tended to be inflexible when it came to meshing with other systems and equipment. As video security technology has evolved toward wireless devices and cloud-based software, integration has become less complicated for businesses with pre-existing security systems in place.

A New Era of Video Security Surveillance Systems

Protecting your business has always been a priority, but the tools at your disposal have never been so powerful. The advancement of video surveillance technology allows you to not only proactively prevent security events, but do it with speed, flexibility, and convenience.

From AI-enhanced security cameras to virtual fence technology and cloud storage, your next video security surveillance system can provide customized protection like never before.

No business needs to go it alone. Reach out to one of the security experts at Bay Alarm today to discuss your alarm response strategy and optimize it for your unique needs.