Best Practices for Optimal Security Camera Placement 

Security cameras are an important feature of the commercial security and residential security of your property. It’s a worthwhile investment that ensures you have eyes on your property at all times. This can be applied to a variety of industries from retail security to cannabis security. However, without proper installation and strategic placement, your security plan won’t be effective.

Where Should I Place Security Cameras?

There are a few key areas to place security cameras that can improve your overall commercial security and residential security.

1. Exits and Entrances

Points of access should be monitored so you have a clear record of who exits and enters your property at all times. Not only will you have on record exactly when they entered or exited, but you will also be able to see what they brought or took with them. If theft or vandalism occurs, you will have evidence of who did it and when it occurred. This can be vital information for the police to apprehend criminals.

2. Parking Lots

Wide-open spaces like parking lots should be closely monitored. If someone enters your building, they will likely gain access through the parking lot so having high-quality security cameras here is important. Ensure that you have a wide field of view to get maximum coverage in this area. Having security cameras here will also ensure that you can zoom in on license plates if you need to identify any vehicles. Visible exterior security cameras can also be a deterrent for criminals.

3. Employee Lounges

Break rooms and employee lounges are places where employees oftentimes converse before and after shifts, so added surveillance here can be beneficial. You will be able to reference any workplace disagreements and incidents for not just your own liability, but the protection of your employees. 

4. Lobbies and Reception Areas

The reception area is a very high-traffic spot and monitoring it is crucial for commercial security and residential security. It’s easy to have someone slip under your radar with such a high volume of traffic occuring. Installing security cameras here will allow you to see exactly who enters and exits your property. Keeping these hidden can help strengthen your security presence and in the event of a robbery, perpetrators can be identified.

5. Supply and Storage Rooms

Most properties have a supply closet or storage room where valuable items are stored. To prevent theft and vandalism, placing security cameras here will allow you to monitor when employees enter and exit this room as well as keep track of your inventory.

6. Dumpsters and the Rear of Properties

The dumpsters for a property are usually in a secluded area away from the main building. The rear of a property is often neglected because it isn’t an area frequently used, which is why these spots can be a common entry point for criminals. Security cameras can record criminal activity, monitor employee activity to prevent internal theft, and keep employees protected from potential robberies.

What Are Some of the Best Practices for Security Camera Placement?

A site survey and assessment are risk management services that identify potential risks and their impact on the overall commercial security or residential security. This aspect of risk management allows you to have the best placement for your security cameras. A site survey and assessment will take a look at your exact needs and the unique layout of your property to give you expert recommendations.

1. Maintain Good Lighting

Security cameras need to have good lighting and a clear line of vision to effectively monitor your property. Avoid excessive back-lighting that can distort the video captured. Dramatic changes in lighting can adversely affect the quality of a recording.

2. Opt for a Professional Installation

Many ponder about professional installation vs. self installation for security cameras. While doing it yourself is a more affordable option, having a professional installation vs. a self installation guarantees the setup is done correctly and without any hiccups. 

3. Choose the Right Security Cameras

All security cameras aren’t the same. Some have a narrow field of vision which is better suited for small areas and others have a wider field of vision to accommodate large spaces such as parking lots. Some cameras work well with low lighting and others don’t. This is another reason why many people opt for a professional installation vs. a self installation—the technical details are better left in the hands of experts.

About OPS
OPS Security Group has over 80 years of combined experience protecting executives, businesses, residents, guests and government officials throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C. and New Jersey. As a regional security alternative with a service-first approach, we offer a level of customer service that international providers are too big to deliver. If you’d like to learn more, you can contact us at https://opssecuritygroup.com/contact/