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Best CCTV Surveillance Systems for Business

CCTV surveillance systems have gained immense popularity over the years and have become a common sight all over the world. The size of the global CCTV market is growing at a substantial rate, with estimates of continual growth over the coming years.

While CCTV cameras are used mainly for security purposes, this growth is in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to the implementation of strict SOPs and the need for increased use of surveillance technologies for several reasons.

The pandemic has changed every aspect of our lives, from how we work and socialise, to how we communicate and collaborate, with businesses in almost every industry re-evaluating every aspect of their operations.

This new business landscape has brought with it new challenges when it comes to security and surveillance, with employees working remotely and sites being monitored remotely as well.

While using CCTV cameras for securing your business is an extremely effective security measure, it must be done right. Read on for our picks of the best CCTV surveillance systems for businesses in 2022 and how to choose the best one for your unique needs:

WHY DO YOU NEED A CCTV SYSTEM FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to adopt the best security measures, regardless of the type and size of your operation.

No business is immune to burglaries and a small business is just as susceptible to safety and security threats as a large one. In fact, for many small businesses, threats such as thefts and burglaries may make it very difficult for them to bounce back.

CCTV surveillance systems provide a plethora of benefits to businesses other than just deterring burglars. Here are all the reasons why you should invest in an effective CCTV surveillance system:

Deterring crime

Crime prevention is one of the biggest benefits that come to mind when thinking about business CCTV cameras. Their presence has proven to lessen crime rates, making them an effective deterrent against burglaries, intrusions, vandalism, and other similar threats.

The fear of getting caught on camera is 100% real, with ex-cons claiming that they would stay away from properties under CCTV surveillance.

Monitoring employees and customers

CCTV systems don’t just deter criminals from the outside from attacking your business but also help keep a check on your employees and customers.

Similar to how the presence of CCTV cameras makes criminals wary about targeting your property, it also helps maintain peace and decorum within the business premises, particularly regarding employees and clients committing mischief, fraud, or felony.

This is particularly beneficial for large-scale businesses, where keeping an eye on everyone becomes a challenge since every inch of the property cannot be personally monitored by senior staff members.

Monitoring COVID-19 protocol breaches

The post-pandemic world is an entirely different place where large crowds and bodily contact is seen as a violation of safety protocols.

In a bid to minimise the spread of this contagious virus, businesses all over the world, including the UK, have implemented policies where social distancing and crowd control are the norm.

With several businesses around the world welcoming their employees back to the office, it is important to make sure that safety protocols are being followed.

CCTV cameras with modern technologies play a huge part in successfully implementing the relevant regulations that remain in place as the world emerges after the pandemic, or that may return in case there is a resurgence.

Thanks to their advanced features, CCTV cameras can be used to monitor whether or not the employees and customers are wearing their masks or if there are more than a few people present at one place at a given time.

Evidence collection

CCTV surveillance systems not only allow you to remotely monitor the CCTV footage in real-time but also allow you to record it to be viewed later.

This great feature not only provides added convenience but also serves as evidence in case of a safety or security breach.

You can easily go back and check the recorded footage, which not only fares well as legal evidence should there be a court hearing but can also be used to file an insurance claim. CCTV footage also benefits law enforcement agencies by helping them solve crimes faster.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERA CODE OF PRACTICE

Before we list our top picks of the best CCTV surveillance systems for businesses in 2022, you must understand their appropriate and effective use so that these systems serve as valuable tools that contribute to public safety and security while maintaining their trust and confidence.

According to the surveillance camera code of practice, all CCTV operators must adopt the following 12 guiding principles:

  1. Use of surveillance cameras must always be for a legitimate purpose.
  2. The user of the system must take into account its effect on the individuals under surveillance and their privacy, with regular reviews to ensure its use remains justified.
  3. There must be as much transparency in the system’s use as possible.
  4. There must be clear responsibility and accountability for activities related to surveillance camera use, including footage collected, stored, and used.
  5. There must be clear rules, policies, and procedures, which must be communicated to all those who need to comply with them.
  6. CCTV footage mustn’t be stored for longer than is strictly required and must be deleted once the intended purpose is fulfilled.
  7. Access to CCTV footage and information must be restricted, with strict rules in place regarding who can access it and for what purpose.
  8. Surveillance system operators must consider any approved operational, technical, and competency standards relevant to the system and work to meet them.
  9. CCTV footage and information must be subject to appropriate security measures to safeguard against unauthorised access and use.
  10. There must be effective review and audit mechanisms to ensure the legal requirements, policies, and standards are complied with.
  11. Surveillance systems must be used in the most effective way to support public safety and law enforcement.
  12. Any information that compares against a reference database used to support a surveillance camera system must be kept accurate and up-to-date.

TYPES OF BUSINESS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

Depending on their specific features and options, there are various types of CCTV cameras available for businesses to choose from. Some of the most common ones include:

Dome CCTV cameras

Dome cameras get their name from the dome-shaped vandal-resistant casing they sit in and are one of the most common types of CCTV cameras suitable for both indoors and outdoors.

They are ideal for deterring crime since they are not hidden and their shape makes it difficult to figure out which way the camera is facing.

Bullet CCTV cameras

Bullet CCTV cameras are long, cylindrical-shaped systems that resemble a bullet, and are made to withstand extreme temperatures, water, and dirt. Their look is recognisable to everyone, making them a highly visible deterrent.

Used in applications that require long-distance viewing, they are usually found in open spaces that include parking lots, back and front yards, shopping centres, offices, factorieswarehouses, and farms.

PTZ Cameras

PTZ (Pan/Tilt/Zoom) cameras allow more control over what is being recorded and can pan sideways, tilt up and down, and zoom in and out of objects with the tap of a button.

Accompanied by impeccable video quality, they can capture the finer details of a subject and, depending on the need, they can easily be adjusted to record a certain area of interest. Best for remote monitoring, you can have one PTZ camera do the job of multiple static cameras.

Day/Night Cameras

Built specifically to effectively work during both the day and night-time, regardless of the lighting conditions, day/night cameras are ideal for business premises that require round-the-clock CCTV monitoring.

They have extra sensitive chips that help capture clear and crisp images even at night, due to which they are great for 24/7 outdoor use. In addition to poor lighting, they can also withstand direct sunlight, glare, and reflections.

Infrared/Night-vision cameras

Generally more expensive than day/night cameras since they can work in pitch-black darkness, night vision CCTV cameras use infrared technology to record images and videos.

They can withstand fog, dust, and smoke, and record coloured footage during the daytime while capturing black and white footage during the night.

Due to their optimal night-time functionality, they are used by those who need very reliable surveillance even in complete darkness, such as banks and manufacturing plants.

Wireless CCTV cameras

Wireless CCTV systems minimise the use of wires and cables, allow greater flexibility and scalability, and are much quicker and easier to install.

They are ideal for businesses that plan on scaling their CCTV system in the future by adding more cameras and locations such as tourist attractions where the presence of wires would be unappealing.

HD CCTV cameras

HD (High Definition) cameras offer unparalleled video quality and deliver high-quality images with zooming capabilities. They are particularly useful in high-risk areas where foot traffic needs to be monitored closely.

HD CCTV cameras come in a variety of resolutions ranging from 720p going all the way up to 4K. Quite obviously, the higher the resolution, the better the image and video quality, though compression has a big part to play as well.

Network/IP CCTV cameras

IP (Internet Protocol) cameras are connected over a network that allows the live footage to be accessed from anywhere in the world via the internet.

All modern CCTV systems use IP cameras because of their ease of video sharing and remote monitoring. In addition to sharing the live feed, they also allow storing archived footage on network video recorders (NVRs) and digital video recorders (DVRs).

They are an ideal choice for business owners who are often away or on the move since the easily accessible footage gives them the ability to view the footage from absolutely anywhere. All you need is a smart device such as a phone, tablet, or laptop, and a good internet connection.

BEST CCTV SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESS 2022

Hikvision is one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers and the most popular CCTV brand used in the UK, making it our top pick for the best CCTV surveillance systems for businesses in 2022.

They offer state-of-the-art security systems that help improve your business’s operational efficiency and make the general workflow more seamless and intelligent.

Whether you run a small to medium-sized business that requires only a handful of CCTV cameras or a much larger organisation with complex security needs, Hikvision provides great value for all with solutions tailored to each business’s special needs, based on the industry, function, and scenario.

In addition to providing entrance/exit solutions, alarm expansion, ANPR, and perimeter protection, Hikvision offers solutions to businesses to adjust to the ‘new normal’ in this post-pandemic world.

With features such as temperature screening, mask detection, density control, and facial recognition terminals, they make it easier for business owners and managers to implement COVID-19 protocols.

A few standout surveillance systems from Hikvision include:

2 MP DeepinView ANPR Moto Varifocal Bullet Camera

Perfect for perimeter protection for your business premises, this bullet camera offers high-quality imaging with a 2 MP resolution.

With clear imaging against strong backlight due to its LightFighter technology and excellent low-light performance via its DarkFighter technology, it is ideal for both day and night time.

It includes licence plate recognition and uses efficient compression technology to save bandwidth as well as storage.

It is water and dust resistant, vandal-proof, and uses advanced streaming technology to enable smooth real-time monitoring and data self-correction when the network quality is poor.

12 MP DeepinView Immervision Lens Fisheye Network Camera

A feature-rich CCTV camera with a high resolution of 12 MP, this fisheye network camera captures clear images even when de-warped into a 4-image PTZ mode.

It has a built-in IR light with a range of 15 meters to provide good visibility and clear and detailed images in low-light conditions and even environments with zero light.

With a built-in microphone and speaker, the system supports two-way communication for real-time monitoring.

In addition to that, it can count people and present an intuitive heatmap based on deep learning algorithms, which can be particularly useful for crowd control and social distancing.

4-MP DeepinView Indoor Moto Varifocal Dome Camera

This dome-shaped camera offers high-quality imaging with 4 MP resolution, excellent low-light performance via DarkFighter technology, and clear imaging against any strong backlight due to 140 dB WDR technology.

It is vandal-proof and consists of advanced streaming technology enabling a smooth live view of the footage.

By using efficient H.265+ compression technology, it saves bandwidth and storage and uses 5 streams and up to 5 custom streams to meet a wide variety of applications, in addition to offering facial recognition capabilities.

Temperature Screening Thermographic Bullet Camera

A useful tool in every workplace in this post-pandemic world, this temperature screening thermographic bullet camera can be placed at the main entrance to offer a reliable temperature detection alarm system.

With a high-sensitivity thermal module with a 384 x 288 resolution and a high-quality optical module with a 4 MP resolution, this system can be used to detect symptoms of fever in employees, customers, clients, and other staff members.

It uses leading thermal image processing technology and produces a bi-spectrum image fusion (picture-in-picture preview).

CHOOSING THE BEST BUSINESS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Choosing the right CCTV camera for your business is crucial since it plays a huge role in your business’s overall security.

Since different types of businesses have different requirements and security needs, you, as a business owner or manager, need to keep a few factors in mind when investing in the right surveillance system or your property.

You need to run a risk assessment and find answers to the following questions to make an informed decision:

  • Do you need a discreet or visual deterrent?
  • Do you require indoor or outdoor surveillance or both?
  • Is the area small or large? Is it covered or open?
  • What are the lighting conditions like?
  • Are there any environmental factors that need to be considered (sunlight, rain, hail)?
  • What camera quality and resolution do you require?
  • How flexible and scalable do you want your system to be?

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

Calder Security offers a comprehensive solution for CCTV cameras that are state-of-the-art and comply with CCTV laws and regulations.

We understand the special security and safety needs of various properties and offer professional installation services for CCTV systems bespoke to each business.

We are expert SSAIB-approved security system installers and supply only high-quality CCTV equipment from trusted brands such as Hikvision, one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers.

We conduct every aspect from surveys, design, specification, and installation ourselves, and our professional repair and maintenance services ensure that your CCTV systems work in the optimal condition all year round, guaranteeing effectiveness and compliance with the law.

We also offer professional CCTV monitoring services that help detect criminal activity and security breaches as they are in progress for the appropriate action to be taken, even when the property is empty.

Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 9799 to talk to our security experts right away!

 

Photo by Benjamin Child on Unsplash