When it comes to business security, few investments do more to protect your assets than CCTV cameras. Used correctly, CCTV systems provide you with 24/7 protection and the ability to record, in high-definition detail, everything going on in the workplace. Not only does this make preventing break-ins easier, but it can even be the catalyst you need to catch workplace malpractice and other issues!
However, as you might already have discovered, CCTV cameras can be hard to place. Making sure you get full coverage of your facilities is not easy. So, where should you think about placing CCTV?
This guide, put together by a professional Bradford locksmith, provides you with professional insight into the subject. Our locksmith-approved positions for CCTV cameras will make it easier to get full coverage of your property. Where, then, should you prioritise placing your next investment in security cameras?
What Features Do My CCTV Cameras Need?
Before we look at placement, professional locksmiths recommend that your CCTV cameras provide:
- Wide-angle coverage so each camera can take in as much scenery as possible
- High-resolution cameras so you can get the clearest detail on any signs of concern
- Motion scanning so your cameras can pick up signs of well-hidden intruders
- Zoom functions so you can zoom in on identifiable features of perpetrators
- Facial recognition software so you can identify people who shouldn’t be on-site
Some of these features might be outside of your budget, of course. You might not need every feature, either. However, a locksmith should be able to help you find cameras that provide the majority of the features you need within your set security budget.
The Best Places To Put CCTV Cameras In Your Workplace
To make sure you get as much coverage as possible, locksmiths generally recommend you cover:
Exterior Entryways & Exits
The most obvious place (and forgive us for insulting your intelligence!) is to make sure CCTVs cover your entrances and exits. This is especially true if you have multiple entry and exit points, such as:
- Main and back doorways into your business
- Side entrances and fire exits on premises
- Safety entrances for your security team
- Entryways used by delivery teams
CCTV cameras covering the entrances and exits in full, from all angles, are a must-have for any security team. Locksmiths can give you a security audit and look for the best places to install CCTV for your entrances and exits. That will ensure all blind spots are covered and all locations are taken into account. If a criminal sees CCTV around all entry and exit points, they will likely think twice before taking action. Try to aim for wide-angle spots that reduce redundancy in camera placements.
Interior Entryways (Receptions)
Of course, you need your security systems to cover the interior of your business as well as the exterior. That is why most locksmiths and security professionals would recommend installing CCTV cameras in your interior entryways. This includes your reception area or foyer, where people wait.
CCTV cameras can be ideal for any reception area that feels like it can get increasingly crowded or busy. We recommend that you have CCTV functions that can cover all angles, so you might need more than one camera installed.
Elevators & Stairways
You should also think about having CCTV cameras fitted in your elevators and stairways. Not only are these great for spotting people dilly-dallying around and not getting their job done, but they can be ideal for spotting potential health concerns. For example, someone collapsing in a lift or falling down stairs might not be noticed until it is too late; with CCTV cameras, you can spot the issue immediately.
Storage & Staff Facilities
Shrinkage is one of the easiest ways to lose your business money, right? So, it makes sense to have CCTV cameras in your storage facilities. CCTV cameras not only reduce the risk of theft taking place from your storage areas, but they can also be great for spotting staff who seem to take a little too long to find what they are looking for. It could also spot disciplinary areas like staff using smartphones or smoking when they are prohibited from doing so.
Remember that storage rooms tend to be less well-lit than other parts of the building. Therefore, it might be good to have CCTV cameras with high visibility features and even night vision or thermal tracking capabilities included. A locksmith can recommend the best CCTV cameras for storage rooms.
Warehouse Storage
If you have a warehouse area for storing your goods, then you might need multiple CCTV cameras to cover the whole area. These cameras should be wide-angle so they can take in as much as possible, with high-resolution imagery and zoom functions so you can really zoom in on potential intruders or theft taking place.
Warehouses need to have exterior and interior storage. They tend to be places with limited human traffic after traditional working hours, so CCTV cameras are great at warding off increasingly brave criminals looking to break in. Motion detection would be a wise choice, too, as it makes it easy to spot staff moving between storage areas within the warehouse. Again, this is ideal for health and safety, too, so you can spot potential health issues or safety risks with staff.
Blind Spots
Look for areas of your business that could be open to potential exploits, too. CCTV cameras should be fitted in places where you might not normally have visibility and thus could pose an access risk. Think about windows that are close to fencing, or areas that have limited visibility and are rarely frequented by staff.
This will include secluded areas of the business that are rarely used. A locksmith or security expert can carry out a perimeter property review and look for areas that are not traditionally protected and/or are more secluded than you might think.
Protect Your Property With Bespoke CCTV Camera Placement
It goes without saying that having CCTV cameras in place will make your business safer. Not only will it make it easier to deter criminals from trying to break in in the first place, but it will also act as an excellent source of proof. You can also find CCTV cameras lessen the risk of indiscipline and/or of staff stealing, committing crimes, or generally causing trouble for your business.
Of course, operating and managing a CCTV system is not easy and is something that should be left to your security department. By working with a local locksmith, you can have the system installed and maintained by professionals who are part of the security industry. Over time, this will ensure that you get a better protocol for business security, all the while making it easier for staff to work while feeling safe.
Contact a local locksmith in your area or a commercial security company, and have them carry out a business audit. They might be able to offer some valuable, pinpoint advice on what CCTV camera features you need and where cameras should be placed so you can get maximum visibility 24/7. The benefits of having CCTV cameras are numerous; now, with the above, you can cover every essential area!