License Plate Security Camera are hardware devices that take pictures or record video indoors and outdoors to help prevent theft, vandalism, and crime. These cameras can also help police solve crimes and identify suspects.
Look for a wide field of view and two-way audio. Many models include local storage and can integrate with smart home devices. Some offer geofencing, remote arming and disarming, and voice command integration.
While studies and statistics support security cameras having a deterrent effect, they will not stop criminals who are determined to commit crimes. However, when coupled with other security systems, such as lights and locks, they can help thwart certain kinds of crime. Moreover, homeowners have shared numerous anecdotes of how their camera systems helped them catch package thieves and other trespassers in the act.
In fact, the mere presence of surveillance cameras sends a message to would-be criminals that the property is being watched, which can make them think twice about entering the premises and engaging in unlawful activities. In case of an incident, the video footage from the camera can provide law enforcement agencies with crucial evidence to identify the perpetrators and apprehend them.
Some security cameras are designed to actively deter trespassers and other unwelcome visitors by lighting up with a visual or audible warning when a parameter is met. This active deterrence can come in the form of an on-board siren that can emit a loud noise and flash red, white, or blue LEDs, or an intelligent system like Optiview’s IP5MPTZ-4XAD-NCV that automatically activates the built-in siren when detecting people in a specific area or sending motion detection alerts to a smartphone or tablet.
Many camera systems also have features that can help prevent accidental triggering of the device. For example, some systems allow you to manually deactivate the alarm by tapping a button on your smart device or computer. Others can be programmed to disable the alarm when no movement is detected after a certain amount of time. This feature can be especially useful for households with small children or elderly loved ones who are prone to wandering.
Security cameras can be used to monitor employee and customer behavior at retail and commercial spaces as well. In addition to providing valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not, security cameras can be used to spot trends that can lead to better business decisions and improved productivity.
Although some privacy concerns remain around the use of security cameras, the reality is that the vast majority of professional-grade camera devices are highly secure and cannot be hacked. If you choose a reputable security camera brand, and keep up with software and device updates, your cameras should be as safe as any other Internet-connected devices in your home.
Evidence
Security cameras help protect your business from theft and other forms of criminal activity by providing law enforcement with hard evidence that can be used to identify, capture and prosecute suspects. Additionally, video footage can be valuable for settling disputes, either between employees or between customers and your service staff.
The deterrent effect of security cameras is well documented – studies have shown that areas with widespread surveillance experience dramatic drops in petty crime, such as burglary and vandalism. The simple fact that a camera is present often makes would-be thieves think twice about taking the risk of getting caught, especially if your camera has good image quality to clearly show their face and other important details.
Many security cameras operate 24/7, ensuring that no matter what time of day or night it is, you’ll have a record of any activity within your view. This can be a big benefit for businesses that operate around the clock or homeowners who wish to keep a log of everyone who visits their home.
In addition, security cameras can be invaluable for corroborating other types of evidence. For example, if you have a witness statement that includes a description of the suspect, investigators can use your camera footage to determine whether that person was actually in the area at the time of the crime.
One drawback of security cameras is that they can be easily destroyed. They’re susceptible to dust, smoke, fog, power outages and tampering. However, a security system that uses an offsite server addresses this concern by storing recorded data in the cloud. That way, it can’t be destroyed by an intruder or anyone else who wants to see your private information gone forever.
Another important aspect of a security camera is that it provides real-time visibility for security personnel, giving them the ability to respond quickly when a problem arises. For instance, if your employees are stealing from you, a surveillance camera can help catch them in the act and allow you to reclaim your inventory. Additionally, security cameras can also be used to monitor workflows, allowing you to see where products are going or when they need to be restocked.
Motion Detection
As the name suggests, security cameras detect motion and trigger recording. They usually use a passive infrared sensor or microwave motion detection technology to detect changes in the scene that would indicate movement, such as people, animals, cars, and so on. This allows them to eliminate the need for power-hungry video cameras, reducing both electricity and storage requirements.
Depending on the camera, sensitivity settings and customization options can help mitigate false alarms from insignificant scene changes such as wind and light change. Some security cameras even allow users to set a threshold, so that only significant changes in the scene are recorded. This helps reduce bandwidth and storage needs, as minor changes are ignored.
In addition to motion detection, some security cameras feature person detection. This enables them to differentiate between inanimate objects and humans, allowing them to focus on moving subjects while ignoring background activity and ensuring that nothing gets overlooked or missed. This feature is especially helpful in residential security, where it can help keep tabs on children and pets while preventing the unnecessary use of resources.
Another benefit of security cameras is that they can provide clear evidence in legal scenarios. This is useful when settling disputes, whether it be within your family or between a customer and your service staff. Oftentimes, eye witnesses can give a biased account of events that have transpired, and this can be disputed by presenting security camera footage.
A security camera can also be a valuable tool for law enforcement, by capturing evidence in cases of crime or trespassing. For this reason, it is important to make sure that any surveillance cameras that you buy or use are compatible with your local police department’s system and regulations.
If you are concerned about the potential for hackers to track your camera or access your video footage, it is important to invest in a device that uses strong encryption. In addition, you should look into the company’s history of breaches and cyber attacks. Lastly, be sure to choose a camera that uses secure Wi-Fi, preferably using a dual-band router. This will prevent your home’s network from becoming a honeypot for hackers looking to gain access to your camera and data.
Cloud Storage
Traditionally, surveillance camera footage has been stored locally on the cameras themselves or within onsite system recorders. But the advent of new technology has changed the game. With cloud storage, a network of high-capacity servers stores and manages the video data for easy viewing at any time. This eliminates the need for bulky and unreliable local storage and reduces maintenance and management overhead.
In addition, cloud storage offers 24/7 access to footage, whereas local storage is only accessible when the camera itself is physically present at the location where it’s being recorded. This means you’ll never have to worry about missing critical events or weeding through several hours of video footage to find what you need.
Additionally, many modern systems use a combination of both local and cloud storage to provide the best of both worlds. This allows for a more comprehensive security system by storing important footage in one place, while still having the option to capture additional video evidence on the premises at any time.
The cloud also makes it possible to store high-resolution footage without the risk of damage or loss due to temperature fluctuations, humidity, or other environmental factors that can compromise traditional storage methods. This is ideal for commercial security systems that need to capture data for extended periods of time.
Finally, cloud storage is incredibly cost-effective. While local storage is more expensive than the cloud in terms of total cost, there’s a significant reduction in operational and maintenance costs when using the cloud for your security camera footage. In fact, a trusted cloud provider will handle most of the work for you, freeing up your valuable security and IT resources to focus on other initiatives.
IGZY’s expert team can help you determine the right cloud storage solution for your security needs. We’ll evaluate the size of your premises, the number of cameras you have in use, and the length of time you’ll need to keep video data on site. From there, we’ll recommend the appropriate storage capacity for your business. The beauty of the cloud is that it’s scalable to accommodate changing requirements.