Posted on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 | 615 views
In this article, we will discuss the best places to install security cameras to safeguard your business effectively. Protecting your business from potential threats requires a comprehensive security plan, and one of the essential elements to this plan is the strategic placement of security cameras.
Installing cameras in the right locations not only deters crime but also helps you monitor activities, ensure safety, and gather evidence if needed.
In an study done by the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center, titled Evaluating the Use of Public Surveillance Cameras for Crime Control and Prevention—A Summary, they found that crime was reduced in areas where security cameras were installed.
Another study done by the City University of New York found that CCTV security cameras were associated with a significant decrease in crime. [Source].
It’s very clear that the installation of security cameras do substantially hinder crime and suspicious activity which leaves us with the question of finding the best place to install them.
Continue reading for a guide on the optimal locations to install security cameras at your business premises.
The Top Placements of Security Cameras for Maximum Protection
Elevator Cabs
Elevator cabs can be very vulnerable areas because they are enclosed and offer limited space and escape routes. Installing security cameras inside elevators will help deter criminal activities and unwanted behavior, and provide a safe environment for employees and customers. Elevator security cameras also assist in identifying individuals involved in vandalism, theft, harassment or assault and make it easier to take appropriate action.
Stairwells
Stairwells are often very secluded areas of a workplace. They’re low-traffic areas that can become potential hiding spots for intruders or people planning some type of criminal activity.
Placing security cameras in each of the stairwells will help monitor activity, discourage loitering, and detect suspicious behavior. Well-lit stairwells with security cameras can also make employees and customers feel safer when using these spaces but note that modern cameras are equipped with features that can record in underlit areas and still provide quality footage or live monitoring.
Parking Lots
Parking lots are prime targets for criminals due to the potential for vehicle break-ins, vandalism, and personal attacks but with the installation of security cameras, these behaviours are substantially reduced.
Installing cameras in parking lots allows for the constant monitoring of who is coming and going and will deter crime and help identify wrongdoers. Parking lot security cameras improve overall safety by recording incidents such as hit-and-runs or accidents, allowing for prompt responses and appropriate actions to be taken.
Warehouses
Warehouses are very vulnerable to theft and organized crime because they often store valuable inventory and equipment, making them an attractive target for thieves, but a well-monitored warehouse will increase the overall security of your supply chain.
Installing security cameras in strategic locations of a warehouse like at entry points, loading docks, and storage areas are critical areas to monitory and will substantially prevent thefts by enabling you to monitor employee activity to ensure proper handling of all goods.
Lobbies
Lobbies serve as the primary entry point to your business, making them highly critical locations for the installation of security cameras. Cameras in lobbies help monitor visitor activity, prevent unauthorized access, and some cameras can even detect potential threats.
By placing cameras near reception desks, front doors and main hallways, you can verify the identity of visitors and capture images of individuals who may pose a risk to your business or simply shouldn’t be there. Like in most areas, cameras that are installed out in plain view are known to substantially reduce any form of crime and keep employees safe.
Access Control Points
Access control points such as doors, gates, turnstiles, card readers, and biometric scanners are crucial for maintaining the security of restricted areas. Installing cameras at these particular points will help monitor and verify the identity of individuals entering and exiting the premises and prevent unauthorized access. This type of surveillance ensures only authorized personnel enter specific areas, and detect attempts to bypass security measures.
Loading Docks
Loading docks involve the mass transfer of valuable goods and are quite often the target of theft and other crime.
They are the perfect candidate for camera placement, and help monitor employee activities, deter criminals, and ensure the proper and secure handling of merchandise. They also help you track the arrival and departure of trucks and ships by ensuring timely deliveries, and reducing the risk of inventory discrepancies.
Perimeter Fencing
Perimeter fencing is the first line of defense against potential intruders and trouble-makers. By installing cameras along the fence or property line will help you monitor the area for suspicious activity, detect attempts to breach the perimeter, and provide valuable evidence in the event of an incident – all in real time and accessible from anywhere you are.
This added layer of security can deter criminals from even planning on targeting your business, and allows for a rapid response in the case of an intrusion. In addition to deterring criminal behaviour and enabling a rapid response times, strategically placed security cameras along the perimeter fencing can also help identify potential security weaknesses and allows you to address any vulnerabilities so you can further strengthen your business’s defenses.
Hallways and Corridors
Hallways and corridors are perfect for installing security cameras. They connect various parts of your business and considered high-traffic areas that are used by employees, visitors, and service personnel.
Installing cameras in these particular areas will help your security team monitor movement, identify unauthorized individuals, detect suspicious activities and create a sense of well-being for your visitors. Regularly monitored hallways and corridors also contribute to a safer work environments and discouraging theft, vandalism, and a slew of other unwanted behaviors.
Other Critical Areas
Depending on the nature of your business and how your property and space are built, there may be other critical areas that require surveillance that we haven’t mentioned. These may include spaces like server rooms, cash handling areas, production lines, research and development labs, and high-value storage areas. You can assess your business’s unique risks and requirements and take the lead on your security company’s direction when it comes to determining which areas would benefit most from security camera coverage.
Does Your Business Have Security Cameras Installed?
Each business has unique needs and vulnerabilities that require a customized security plan tailored to its specific needs. So remember that a well-protected business not only minimizes risks and fosters a sense of trust and confidence among employees, customers, and stakeholders, but they also reduce costs and increase your bottom line.