Remote Camera Monitoring is a security technology that turns cameras into virtual security guards, and allows owners to monitor their property. Learn more about this service, its benefits, top providers, and considerations for choosing the right solution for your home or business.

This requires a secure network that’s robust enough to transmit video footage to remote monitors without delay. Dedicated networks help sites with more complex security needs.

Theft is a common problem that can have serious financial consequences for businesses. Thieves often take goods, equipment, tools, and other items to sell or use themselves — resulting in lost profits for the business owner. The same goes for property damage caused by vandalism.

A video surveillance system can be a powerful tool for deterring theft and other crimes. When criminals know they are being monitored, it is more likely that they will choose a different destination or simply avoid the area. Additionally, having a talk-down feature allows for criminals to be confronted in real time and potentially apprehended before they can leave the premises.

With the help of smart video analytics, your remote camera monitoring can be even more effective in detecting and preventing suspicious behavior. With features such as intelligent facial recognition and object detection, suspicious activity can be instantly detected and analyzed. This information is sent to your central station, which can then notify law enforcement to immediately respond if needed. This process is much faster than traditional sirens and audio alerts — and can also prevent the risk of false alarms caused by animals or other things that may trigger an unnecessary response from the central station.

In addition to providing security benefits, remote camera monitoring can be a great way to keep an eye on your property from far away. Whether you are on vacation or just want to check in on your home or business, you can do so with the click of a button. In addition, many people utilize remote camera monitoring for farm and ranch surveillance or to view large areas of land like a school campus or business park.

If your cameras are connected to a network, ensure that the connection is secure. Using strong passwords, WPA3 encryption on Wi-Fi, and keeping firmware updated regularly can protect your cameras from hacking and other malicious activity. Also, consider setting your cameras up on a separate network from other devices to further safeguard privacy and reduce compatibility issues. You can also set up port forwarding to enable remote access on your camera without internet or WiFi connectivity.

Damage

Using remote camera monitoring equipment provides homeowners and business owners with a sense of security. However, it is important to remember that these devices are not completely foolproof and can be damaged. Some damage can be caused by physical harm to the cameras themselves, technological issues with the cameras or storage system, and environmental factors like weather. These issues can be signs that it is time to perform routine maintenance on your remote camera monitoring system.

If your camera footage looks blurry or grainy, this is a big indicator that it’s time to have a maintenance technician take a look at your camera system. Blurry footage can be the result of a number of different factors, including damage to the camera housing or a loss of focus due to a change in lighting conditions.

Another common cause of damage to security camera systems is unauthorized use. Specifically, people who live nearby can sometimes use laser pointers to blind or otherwise damage the cameras’ image sensors. This can cause the camera to stop working or to stop recording, resulting in lost footage. If you have a neighbor who is continuously pointing a laser at your security cameras, it may be helpful to reach out to community justice or mediation services for help addressing the situation without further escalation.

If you lose the ability to remotely monitor your security camera system, this is a major red flag that it’s time for maintenance. A maintenance technician can ensure that all necessary components are connected and working properly, which will restore your remote monitoring capabilities. They can also address any other issues that might be contributing to the problem, such as a loss of communication between the camera and storage method or an unstable internet connection.

Liability

As you probably already know, many security systems now offer remote viewing capabilities. This provides a host of benefits that go beyond protecting your assets. It also reduces liability, which is critical for a small business. Liability can come in the form of a customer having an accident on your property, a lawsuit from an employee, or even a lawsuit from an insurance provider. Video records of incidents are invaluable to help you prove your case in these situations.

The main benefit of remote monitoring is deterring criminal activity and preventing theft and damage to your property. This is especially important for businesses that are open after hours, such as car dealerships and construction companies. Criminals often strike when the property is unattended.

Unlike unmanned surveillance systems that may not be reviewed regularly, remote monitoring services watch over your site in real time and can immediately alert the authorities when an alarm is received. This allows security professionals to investigate the incident and respond accordingly. This is often more effective than trying to track down criminals after they have left the scene.

Aside from reducing the risk of theft and damage, remote monitoring also collects valuable evidence for insurance claims and investigations. It can also be used to catch employees who are stealing or damaging equipment and retrain them.

In addition to providing security benefits, remote monitoring can also help to reduce the cost of labor for a small business. It can be difficult to justify hiring full-time security personnel for a small business, but remote monitoring allows you to cover larger areas of your property with fewer agents.

For a large residential community, remote monitoring can be useful for reducing the incidence of vandalism and other crimes. Rather than relying on an unmanned system that may only notify the property management when an alarm is triggered, a remotely monitored solution with advanced video analytics can detect the crime in progress and trigger a response without any human intervention.

While it may be tempting to include a remote monitoring feature in your home security system, you should consult your attorney and local law enforcement for advice before proceeding with this type of surveillance. Additionally, be aware that your homeowners association may have specific rules about security cameras in residential neighborhoods.

Compliance

Whether it’s opportunistic theft or damages from people who are looking to profit, these behaviors can take a serious financial toll on your business. Fortunately, remote video monitoring can significantly reduce these losses by deterring criminals and aiding police in tracking them.

Choosing the right equipment is vital for your remote camera monitoring system. Start by assessing your needs. Consider things like how you’ll be using the cameras (monitoring inside or outside? capturing live or recorded footage?) and whether you want to monitor one room or the entire property. Once you have determined what type of equipment you need, select a provider that meets your budget and offers an excellent return on investment.

In addition to reducing costs and preventing losses, remote monitoring can help you stay in compliance with a variety of regulations. For example, schools can use cameras to monitor students, verify FERPA compliance and ensure an environment conducive to learning. However, it’s important to note that constant monitoring can cause some employees discomfort. To avoid this, it’s best to communicate with your employees about why the cameras are there and how they can improve the environment for everyone.

Then, make sure you follow network and cyber security protocols to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to your remote camera monitoring system. This is particularly crucial if you’re recording eHI or private information on your system. It’s also a good idea to ensure that your cameras are airgapped, which means they’re not connected to the internet and can only be accessed with a local network connection.

Finally, make sure you have a robust and secure network that’s ready for the added load of remote monitoring. This includes ensuring the speed of your network is sufficient to support video streaming and confirming firewall and security settings are properly configured. For the best results, choose a remote camera monitoring solution that’s compatible with your existing security infrastructure. This will prevent the need to invest in additional equipment and maximize your savings.