The Benefits of Wireless Security Systems for Businesses

Security systems are important for businesses of all sizes. Whether you have a small business with a handful of employees or a large enterprise in multiple locations, business security systems can not only help protect your property from threats but also keep the people in it safe.

A business security system can include several useful features such as alarm monitoring, video surveillance, access control, and fire detection.

When looking for a good and effective business security system, one of the first things to consider is the type of system your business requires. You will have to determine your requirements and make sure that the security system has the right features and functionality to fulfil those requirements.

Business security systems are divided into many types depending on how they work and the level of protection they provide. One main distinction between them is whether they are wired or wireless. Choosing the right one can be a daunting task since both offer unique advantages and cater to different needs.

Many businesses opt for wireless security systems due to their many benefits. Read on to find out all about wireless security systems for businesses, how they work, how they differ from wired security systems, along with their benefits:

SECURITY SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESSES

Business security systems are divided into four main types:

1. Monitored security systems
2. Unmonitored security systems
3. Wired security systems
4. Wireless security systems

The main function of these systems ranges from keeping a watchful eye over the business premises to surveillance of staff members and ensuring customer and employee safety.

That being said, all of these systems have certain functionalities in common that include:

• Deterring and discouraging potential criminals from targeting your property,
• Alerting you as well as the security professionals of a potential incident taking place,
• Documenting the event by recording pictures, videos, and footage so that it can be used for identification purposes.

WHAT ARE WIRELESS SECURITY SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESSES?

Wireless security systems, as the name suggests, are security systems where all the components, from the sensors to the cameras are connected to the control panel via radio signals.

A good and reliable internet connection is a key requirement of a wireless security system. It needs to be connected to the internet to be able to send alerts and notifications in case it picks up any unusual activity.

Due to their flexibility, convenience, and ease of use, wireless security systems have become increasingly popular for business use.

When understanding how wireless security systems work, the best way to differentiate them from their wired counterparts is the absence of wires to connect the various components. Instead of using wires, wireless security systems rely on radio frequency signals to transmit data between the different components of the system. These components typically include:

• Sensors – wireless security systems consist of various types of sensors that detect any unauthorised entry or unusual movement, and then send signals to the control panel. Some of the most common types of sensors include motion sensors, door/window sensors, and glass-break detectors.
• Alarms – wireless security systems often include audible alarms that are designed for deterring intruders and alerting the occupants of the building of the threat. Some systems may include silent alarms that simply notify the monitoring services without drawing any attention.
• Indoor and outdoor cameras – cameras are a core part of security systems and can be used to record different areas of your business including the entrances and exits, reception, offices, store rooms, server rooms, and other high-risk areas.
• Smoke detectors – fire safety is an important part of business safety and security and is mandated by the law. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are placed in key locations around the business where the risk of a fire starting is high. These early detection systems catch the earliest signs of a fire and sound an alarm to alert everyone of the danger.
• Control panel – the control panel is the central hub of the security system that receives signals from the various components and triggers the appropriate response such as sounding the alarm or sending alerts to the business owners or monitoring service.

HOW DO WIRELESS SECURITY SYSTEMS WORK?

Two things make a wireless security system wireless:

1. Wireless components
2. Wireless communication

Once the system and all of its components are properly installed, the sensor wirelessly sends alert signals to the control panel in the case of a detection. Upon receiving the alert, the control panel sounds the alarm and simultaneously alerts the business owners and monitoring centre of the threat via Wi-Fi or cellular signals.

The monitoring centre then verifies the alarm and takes the appropriate action of contacting the owners and requesting police assistance if necessary.

BENEFITS OF WIRELESS SECURITY SYSTEM FOR BUSINESSES

Wireless security systems, as the name suggests, are wireless since they do not require any wires for installation. Instead of hard-wired cables, they are connected via radio waves or infrared.

When compared to their wired counterparts, wireless security systems have their share of benefits. Here are all the reasons why it may be a good idea to go wireless when it comes to security systems for your business:

More secure

The most obvious benefit of using wireless security systems for businesses is the absence of wires and cables. Why is that considered such a good thing? Well, breaking into businesses that have wired security systems takes only a pair of wire cutters.

Criminals can simply cut the wires of the system and disrupt the connection between the components, making the property as unsafe as one without any security systems.

Since there are no wires to cut in wireless security systems, they are considered more secure and much harder to bypass and tamper with.

Also, since the systems come with battery backups, you can rely on them in the event of a fire, power outage, or any other things that could potentially disrupt the wired connection of a traditional system.

More flexible

The lack of cables and wires makes wireless security systems more flexible and easier to install. You can place the components in virtually any location without worrying about connecting them to a power outlet.

This great feature can save you a lot of trouble and allows you to move the components easily without dealing with any wires. The installation process is easy, requires little time, and gives you more freedom in terms of the placement and angling of the components.

When installing security cameras, it makes it much easier to hide the cameras as well, which can be especially useful if you wish to use them as a hidden security measure.

On the other hand, wired security systems restrict you as you can place the sensors and cameras in places where it is easy to lay out the cables and other equipment. You may also need to drill holes in the walls which may ruin the aesthetics of the area.

More scalable

Wireless security systems are a great solution for businesses that keep changing and growing as they do not require any additional wiring to scale and expand the system.

Whether you wish to scale up or scale down the system, wireless security systems are much easier to work with than their wired counterparts.

You can also easily integrate new and advanced smart features to make the systems more effective and give you added control over them.

More accessible

Since wireless security systems are connected over the internet, they offer remote accessibility that allows you to manage and control the systems from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a good internet connection.

You can receive alerts from the system on your smartphone or laptop and always stay in the know, regardless of where you are. You can check the system feed any time you want, which gives you a sense of greater control and security.

In addition to that, most modern wireless security systems save data directly to the cloud, which not only keeps it completely safe but also makes it accessible from anywhere.

DRAWBACKS OF WIRELESS SECURITY SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESSES

When talking about the benefits of wireless security systems in businesses, it is only fair to also talk about the drawbacks when comparing them to their wired counterparts. When deciding between wired and wireless security systems, it is important to look at both sides of the picture.

So, what are the drawbacks of wireless security systems for businesses?

Since wireless security systems are more technologically advanced and come with a range of special features, they have higher ongoing maintenance costs than wired security systems. Although their initial and installation costs are much lower than wired systems due to the absence of wires, their maintenance cost due to battery replacement can be slightly higher.

In addition to that, since the components in wireless security systems are connected to the control panel via radio waves, they can be prone to interference. Other systems using radio waves can interrupt communication between these components and expose your business to security risks. In some cases, the interference can also result in false alarms.

There can be some privacy issues as well where hackers may take control of the wireless system and use them to spy on the business or to disable them to make it easier for them to carry out their criminal acts.

Last, but not least, the components of a wireless security system work using battery power which can become weak over time. Weak batteries can render the system ineffective and leave your business vulnerable to threats.

Luckily, there are ways you can work around these drawbacks by simply changing your perspective and taking a few precautionary measures.

When it comes to the higher ongoing cost of wireless security systems, you must look at it as an investment rather than a cost. Considering the plethora of benefits that wireless security systems provide to businesses; the cost is something that you must factor in for business security and growth.

As far as the interference and privacy issues are concerned, there are some good digital security practices to follow to minimise the issue as much as possible. By using dual-band Wi-Fi, you can prevent other devices from interfering with the radio signals used by the security system.

To prevent hacking and online attacks, you must change default account passwords to more secure passwords, use a VPN to hide your IP address, use security systems with encryption, turn on two-factor authentication, use secure Wi-Fi protocols, and use a reliable antivirus software for the wireless security systems.

In terms of the battery issue, you must replace the batteries after a certain period and have the systems professionally tested and serviced by an expert. You may also use solar-powered batteries.

ARE WIRELESS SECURITY SYSTEMS BETTER THAN WIRED ONES?

Now comes the ultimate question: are wireless security systems better than wired ones for businesses? Well, there is no absolute answer for that since both types of systems have their pros and cons and either can be better for you depending on the type of business you run and its unique security requirements.

When choosing the right security system for your business, there are a few factors that you need to consider such as the budget, technological requirements, maintenance, scalability, and reliability.

Wireless security systems are more cost-effective as they require less equipment and installation labour. Although their ongoing maintenance costs can be slightly higher. Wired systems come with a higher upfront cost due to the need for wiring and professional installation; although they usually have lower maintenance costs.

Wireless security systems are more suitable for buildings where wiring is impossible or difficult to lay out. Wired security systems, on the other hand, are better suited for businesses with a strong infrastructure and stricter security needs.

In terms of scalability, since wireless systems are easier to scale up or down, they are better suited for businesses that tend to expand and change over the years. Wired systems are less adaptable and may require more planning to expand.

When it comes to reliability, wired security systems have always been known to stand out since they are not susceptible to interference or signal loss.

You can easily make the decision based on the factors mentioned above. To get more clarity, you can conduct a security risk assessment that will help determine your business’s unique requirements and come up with the best solution for them.

You can contact a professional security company such as Calder Security that possesses the skill, knowledge, and expertise to guide you best regarding the type of security systems to choose for your business.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards. We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.

We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.

We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.

We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.

We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.

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