Whether they’re protecting your people, your buildings or your critical assets, the latest CCTV systems offer numerous benefits and are now considered standard security for organisations across the UK.
This guide will help you understand the benefits of CCTV and make sure you can make informed decisions about achieving the best coverage, whatever your security budget.
What are the key reasons to invest in CCTV?
Given the ubiquity of CCTV in all walks of British life, its benefits may seem obvious. However, there’s often more to CCTV than many realise, and recent developments in the technology have introduced a range of new uses. JLA’s own security division has grown quickly in recent years, with many of our customers reporting the following positive outcomes following a bespoke installation or existing system upgrade.
A professionally installed CCTV system allows you to:
- Spot and identify unauthorised or suspicious individuals, both retrospectively and in real-time
- Monitor your business-critical assets and key areas of your business, such as stock rooms, for maximum security and peace of mind
- Keep track of the behaviour, movements and progress of staff and visitors, particularly in hazardous or high-risk areas
- Proactively deter illegal, undesirable or anti-social behaviour
- Reassure employees, visitors and contractors so that they feel safe and secure in the workplace
- Reduce the requirement for on-site security guards through remote monitoring
- Resolve disputes with recordings used as evidence
How can you maximise coverage in your building?
Full building CCTV coverage – both internal and external – provides peace of mind as well as protection. For that reason, it’s always worth making sure your CCTV cameras cover your building reception and other key entry points, areas with high-risk assets, car parks, and any communal areas.
So-called ‘vulnerable areas’ should also be considered for camera installs – these might be locations where there’s a higher risk of theft, which could include employee locker rooms, car parks and stock rooms.
To keep tabs on who’s coming and going, there’s also good reason to install CCTV at the perimeters of your site, along with doorways and entrances.
Camera placement: what else should I know?
The latest cameras have sharper resolutions and brighter pictures than ever. But if you’re installing new cameras, it’s always best practice to make sure the area is well-lit, that the cameras are pointing to the key areas from an appropriate height, that the angle of the cameras is effective (i.e., no blind spots), and that your new cameras can’t be easily tempered with.
You shouldn’t fit hidden cameras in your building, and staff should always be informed before any installations. For privacy reasons, cameras should never be installed in toilets or changing rooms. They may, of course, be fitted outside of those rooms.
How do CCTV systems work alongside other security systems?
It’s often said that a security system is only as strong as its weakest link. CCTV systems should be used in conjunction with other security systems to deliver maximum safety and
protection for your organisation. A single weak point – like a poor access control system – can easily undermine even the most advanced security equipment, and make your often-expensive measures far less effective.
This is why we always recommend a full, proactive security audit to help highlight any potential problems and tighten coverage across your site.
The importance of regular servicing
CCTV cameras that are faulty, inoperable or damaged will inevitably create risks for your organisation. But if you take a proactive approach to upkeep by arranging regular servicing and preventative maintenance, you’ll prevent issues later down the line and keep your whole system running smoothly.
For more help and advice with your commercial CCTV and security systems, get in touch with our experts today.
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