
Property crimes cost businesses millions each year. But many of these incidents are predictable and preventable.
From poor camera placement to lack of backup storage, these common mistakes undermine security and leave companies vulnerable to attack. Learn how to avoid them and fortify your security infrastructure against physical and cyber threats alike. Visit www.thedillonagency.com for more details.
Poor Planning
One of the biggest mistakes companies make when deploying surveillance technology is failing to establish clear goals and objectives. Without a well-defined plan, businesses can easily fall behind in addressing security threats and may find themselves with inadequate results or even exposed vulnerabilities.
A second common mistake is neglecting to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure prior to implementing new video surveillance systems. This oversight can leave the system vulnerable to cyber threats and increase the risk of sensitive data breaches. Companies should always conduct a thorough assessment of their current infrastructure to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities before deploying new technology.
Strategic camera placement is also important to avoid leaving vulnerable areas unmonitored. Businesses should consider high-traffic areas, locations where valuables are stored, and any other sensitive zones when deciding where to place cameras. Additionally, they should consult with security experts, like the team at ABC Fire & Security, to ensure that no critical blind spots are missed.
Finally, companies should implement a maintenance schedule to keep their surveillance system in top condition. This should include cleaning cameras and lenses, checking connections, and ensuring that software and firmware are up to date. For example, a surveillance system that’s utilizing old or low-quality storage may overwrite footage too quickly and erase evidence before it can be reviewed. By implementing monthly health checks, businesses can prevent costly failures and maintain effective surveillance operations.
Neglecting Cybersecurity Infrastructure
While cybersecurity might seem like a low priority to some business leaders, ignoring this area of your security infrastructure can lead to expensive problems down the road. Data breaches often involve stolen customer information, lost revenue from the loss of trust, legal costs, and more. In addition, weak cybersecurity can inhibit innovation and hinder scalability.
A common mistake businesses make is neglecting the cybersecurity of their surveillance systems, which are increasingly connected to the company network. This oversight leaves the entire security system vulnerable to cyber threats, which can compromise sensitive data or leave critical areas unmonitored. To avoid this, businesses should implement a comprehensive change management process and regularly conduct cybersecurity assessments to ensure their systems can withstand emerging threats.
Another mistake is failing to take advantage of new technology as it becomes available. This can lead to a lack of security features and missed opportunities to deter crime and improve efficiency. To mitigate this, companies should set clear objectives for their surveillance systems and establish a structured plan to vet and implement new technology.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can create a more secure business environment and protect your people and property from theft, vandalism, and other risks. By monitoring all access points, upgrading outdated technology, using cameras that can identify faces and license plates, implementing monthly health checks, and partnering with a reputable 24/7 monitoring service, you can reduce security risks and enjoy peace of mind.
Lack of Collaboration
A business’s surveillance system is supposed to act as its watchful eye, protecting it from criminal activity. However, even the most advanced systems can be left vulnerable to serious problems when not managed effectively. This is because businesses often make common mistakes during the installation and management of surveillance systems that can leave them unprotected and exposed.
During the installation process, it’s crucial to involve all stakeholders and communicate the surveillance system’s implementation plan clearly. This helps prevent IT administrators from misinterpreting security measures or exposing the system to malware and other cyber threats.
It’s also essential to implement a schedule for routine maintenance checks that include cleaning camera lenses, checking connections, and updating software. These preventative measures help ensure the system is always working at peak performance, so you can be confident it will be there when you need it. ABC Fire & Security offers maintenance services that can help you stay ahead of the curve and protect your business from surveillance failures. Contact us today for more information.
Inadequate Standardization
A key part of a surveillance audit is the emphasis on continuous improvement. The goal is to ensure that businesses can proactively identify and correct security risks before they become significant threats. In order to do this, businesses need to have the right systems in place. Creating these systems is a challenge, and companies often make mistakes that jeopardize their security infrastructures.
For example, imagine that a company adopts new technology without a structured plan for vetting and protecting the technology. This could lead to privacy breaches and other security issues. A better approach would be to develop a comprehensive change management process that includes assessing and training employees on the impact of new technology as well as updating security protocols.
Another mistake that many companies make is neglecting to create data standards. This is a crucial step in developing a surveillance system that can be trusted and used by all stakeholders. Without data standards, information becomes chaotic and unusable. For example, imagine if you had to sort through a list that contained names written in all caps, lowercase, and weird spellings. Such a mess would be impossible to organize and read.
Taking the time to avoid these common mistakes can help businesses fortify their surveillance systems, ensuring that they remain stalwart sentinels against evolving threats. By avoiding these seven common errors, organizations can ensure that their security infrastructures are functioning as efficiently as possible.
Neglecting Continuous Improvement
The most advanced video surveillance systems can’t protect businesses from property crimes if they aren’t maintained and managed properly. Over time, cameras can get dirty or lenses can misalign and software may become outdated. Without regular health checks, these problems may go unnoticed until a critical incident occurs. Fortunately, a routine maintenance schedule can prevent costly problems and ensure that your security system is fully functional at all times.
It’s also important to keep in mind that security threats are constantly evolving, and your business’s security measures should be continually improving as well. By avoiding these seven common mistakes, your video surveillance systems can remain stalwart sentinels of your company’s physical and digital infrastructure.
Whether you’re paying your security team to watch 16 screens for 12 hours or relying on your camera’s motion detection to flag every single alert, these errors cost companies millions of dollars each year. By recognizing these errors and taking the steps necessary to avoid them, you can turn your surveillance system into a smart, ROI-driven investment for your business. To learn more about how to avoid these security mistakes, contact the team at ABC Fire & Security for a free assessment. We’ll show you how to maximize the value of your CCTV system and help you fend off any potential criminals that come your way. We offer comprehensive installation, ongoing maintenance, and training to help your business thrive in a constantly changing world.
Underestimating Expenses
In some cases, businesses may not fully understand their surveillance infrastructure’s capabilities. They might select equipment that doesn’t have advanced features, such as facial recognition or license plate capture, or fail to consider future upgrades or add-ons. These oversights can result in a security system that fails to meet their business needs or even exposes them to new threats.
Another common mistake is failing to provide backup power for critical components, such as recording devices or cameras. Without a backup power source, camera systems become useless during outages, precisely when criminals are most likely to target your property. The simple solution is to use Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) or home generator systems to keep recording and network equipment operating for hours during a power outage.
It’s also important to choose the right camera type for your surveillance needs. For example, using indoor-rated cameras outdoors exposes them to moisture, temperature fluctuations, and direct sunlight, resulting in a shorter lifespan and a higher risk of failure. Cameras that are designed for outdoor use feature sealed housings, temperature compensation systems, and built-in heaters to maintain operation in extreme temperatures.
Finally, many surveillance mistakes involve paying for human monitoring that isn’t required. While guards are a great asset to any company, they’re expensive and unreliable, especially when dealing with multiple incidents simultaneously. It’s much more cost-effective to let AI assistants like Ranger do the watching and automatically flag threats, while reducing labor costs by up to 90%.






