Read more online at www.securitymattersmagazine.com Surveillance Camera Procurement Feature
Time is money
Once the security professional has
examined the reliability and quality of
the cameras for potential procurement,
the next important consideration is the
support the security solution provider
can offer when it comes to the initial
set-up and configuration of the chosen
security surveillance system.
When the cameras arrive on site, the
unpackaging, configuration and
installation of the devices can be time
consuming. Picture the scene: a project
involving 1,000 cameras and all of them
have to be unpacked, checked and then
packed away. Even if the average time
taken were to be around one minute per
box (and you would be quick if that’s the
case), it’s a lot of time.
Look for a supplier that has
considered these important set-up
requirements and delivers its cameras in
an ‘Easy Kitting’-style format to make
the camera set-up process as simple and
time efficient as possible when the
chosen models arrive at their
destination. For example, will the box
containing the cameras have a window
opening so the technicians can plug-in a
cable and configure the cameras without
having to unbox them before they’re
sent to the point of installation?
Next, consider whether the provider
offers a comprehensive solution for
setting up multiple IP cameras
simultaneously. A good configuration
tool eases the set-up of the network
cameras, disk recorders and video
encoders by enabling batch accessibility
of the devices upon initial set-up or
firmware upgrade and also affords a full
listing of all the devices and IP address
settings for easy reporting purposes.
Such easy set-up and configuration
tools really do combine to deliver a
substantial total of hours saved.
Downtime is costly time
Once installed, the costs of maintaining
a security camera system can quickly
outweigh the initial purchase price. On
that basis, it’s advisable to look closely at
the features the cameras offer in terms
of minimising maintenance.
For example, simply keeping the
camera lenses clean and free from dirt
and dust can be a real drain on time.
Look for cameras with a special
hydrophilic coating and a self-purification
effect which is applied to
the outside hemisphere of devices to
provide an invisible protective layer
against dust and grime. These coatings,
which can last for at least seven years,
When talk turns towards the procurement of CCTV cameras,
there are two unavoidable topics to be addressed: the
potential for cyber attacks and the safeguarding of personal
data in accordance with the General Data Protection
enable rainwater to run straight off the
surface of the camera rather than form
droplets to which dirt might attach.
There’s also no need to be concerned
during the set-up and installation of the
cameras. The coating can be touched
without any deterioration in
effectiveness. As a result, the latter
assists with better surveillance visibility
in the rain, even at night with IR
viewing, and prevents a build-up of dirt
meaning fewer maintenance visits and
saving costs, while also providing clear
and unobstructed high quality images.
In addition to rainwater ingress,
another cause of security camera failure
can be condensation from the
atmosphere building up inside the unit
and obscuring the lens. Traditionally,
moisture crystals or gel packs are used
to soak up the water droplets, but even
these become saturated over time.
To overcome this issue, look for
external cameras that have purpose-built
dehumidifiers fitted to them. The device
works for the life of the product,
separating the hydrogen and oxygen
atoms present inside the hemisphere
and duly dispelling the hydrogen
through a breathable membrane. This
keeps the moisture level inside to a
Regulation (GDPR)
minimum and prevents condensation on
both the cover and the lens. That
electrolysis-based technology doesn’t use
any heaters or fans and is therefore safe
and environmentally friendly in nature.
Don’t make cyber slip-ups
When talk turns towards the
procurement of CCTV cameras, there
are two unavoidable topics to be
addressed: the potential for cyber attacks
and the safeguarding of personal data in
accordance with the General Data
Protection Regulation (GDPR) initiated
by the European Union (EU).
As well as looking for physical camera
systems that are built to last and
minimise maintenance regimes, it
should also be a priority to make sure
the integrity and security of the system
is maintained. The increasing threat of
cyber attacks can take vital security
systems down, while the loss of personal
data through such attacks can lead to
significant fines under the GDPR.
Best Practice is to seek out camera
manufacturers who continuously review
their operations in this area to ensure
their camera systems are secure and the
threat of attacks and data leaks is
minimised. For example, has the
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