If you are opening a new business, protecting it is one of your top priorities. When considering your options in security systems and all of their elements, most people find that it is much more complex than it seems at the surface level. As they consider these things, one of the first questions business owners ask is, “How many cameras do I need?”.
Since the number of cameras a business needs is dependent on the business and all of its unique operational and risk factors, we will discuss the factors that play a role in determining how many video surveillance cameras it takes to cover a facility effectively.
Determine Your Video Surveillance Goals
The first step in determining the number of cameras you need is determining what you want to protect and how you will be using them beyond security. In many instances, an organization will have several security goals, such as protecting people and assets or providing perimeter protection. Additionally, they may have efficiency or organizational goals such as monitoring traffic, assuring compliance, or preventing fraud. All of these factors play a role in the number, type, features, capabilities, and placement of cameras.
Establish What Areas You Want to be Covered
Budget restraints aside, consider how you’d ideally like to cover your property with video surveillance. Here is a list of indoor and outdoor examples:
- Front entrance
- Waiting rooms and lobbies
- Reception areas
- Points of sale
- Near valuable equipment or supplies
- The retail floor
- Production areas
- Back office
- Storage areas
- Hallways
- Stairwells
- High traffic areas
- Parking lots
Consider Your Risks
Every business will have a different set of risks and crimes they will want to deter. Consider those risks and how video surveillance can play a role in catching and deterring crimes in relation to your risk factors. These are common risks and concerns for most businesses:
- Theft
- Shoplifting
- Fraud
- Workplace violence
- Active attackers
- Vandalism
- Loitering
- High crime location
- Highly trafficked area
- Highly sought product, supplies, equipment
- Remote/vulnerable property
Factor in Needed Features
Another important factor in determining the number of cameras needed is identifying the business surveillance features you most need to accomplish your goals. Some common features include:
- Night vision or low-light settings
- High-definition video
- Pan/tilt/zoom features
- Alerts and notifications
- Facial recognition
- License plate recognition
- Integration
Consideration Your Budget
Next, understanding the vital role video surveillance plays in the success of your business, it is important to establish a budget to meet your security goals. While you may decide to change it later and redistribute funds across the project, it is important to have an idea of how you’d like to distribute the funds.
Talk to a Security Integrator
As you can see, there is no one answer to how many cameras your business will need. The good news is, it does not have to stay a mystery. A security integrator like ATS can help ensure that your business is properly protected by video surveillance while considering budget and risks. An experienced integrator can assess your risks, factor in your security goals, and make suggestions that will fit your budget. In many cases, the right camera choices can cover wider areas and handle various conditions such as low light or glares to reduce the overall number of cameras needed to cover the property.
Since we began in 1984, Associated Technical Services has provided every customer with quality implementations, outstanding service, and innovative solutions. If you have questions about commercial video surveillance systems, call us today! 414-476-4200
