Proper Video Surveillance Camera Placement Ensures Optimal Security

Surveillance Camera Placement Increase Monitoring Efficiency

Video Surveillance cameras are crucial in bolstering security systems, and their strategic placement is essential for optimal effectiveness. Common areas for camera placement include entrances/exits, parking lots, loading docks, manufacturing floors, secluded areas, and customer interaction points.
The goal is to tailor camera placement to address vulnerabilities and monitor critical areas efficiently.

6 Places to Install Video Surveillance Security Cameras for Businesses

Some common areas are recommended for every business, regardless of industry, when installing video surveillance cameras.

Front And Back Entrances

Security considerations often begin with the entrance of a building. While many company premises employ security personnel at the entry point, enhancing the physical security of the entire property can be achieved by integrating security cameras.

Given the constant flow of people entering and exiting the building throughout the day, focusing on this area is crucial for maintaining a comprehensive understanding of everyone accessing the premises.

Optimal security camera placement involves strategic choices, prioritizing capturing each entrance and all approaches to the entrance. This can be achieved by installing cameras on a pole near the entrance facing opposite directions to capture as wide an area as possible as employees, guests, and even potential bad actors approach the premises.

When determining camera placement, keep the following in mind:

• Identify locations that enable the camera to capture the entire interior entry hall.
• External cameras must encompass approaches to the entrance from all directions, often requiring a minimum of two cameras.
• In spaces with many corners, select angles that minimize the need for additional cameras while maximizing efficiency.

Elevators

Installing security cameras in elevators serves a dual purpose: monitoring individuals entering and exiting and providing visibility inside in the event of a breakdown. Elevator safety is just as critical as any other part of your building, and since it’s such a closed-off area, having a visual record is beneficial. Cameras in the elevator can also be particularly comforting for individuals who experience claustrophobia.

Storage Rooms

Depending on their nature, many businesses utilize storage rooms to house office equipment, products, paperwork, and various company-related items. Regardless of the contents, if your establishment has storage rooms, it is essential to install security cameras.

While contemplating potential theft scenarios may be unpleasant, taking preventive measures is always preferable. The mere presence of cameras in storage rooms is a deterrent, discouraging any thoughts of misuse or unauthorized access to company assets.

Additionally, companies with expansive warehouses where employees handle packages using various equipment and vehicles can benefit from camera installations. In the event of an accident, cameras allow personnel to identify and respond to incidents promptly and provide an evidence trail in case there are legal considerations.

Offices

Office security cameras are crucial in safeguarding employees while positively impacting productivity and efficiency. While achieving comprehensive coverage in environments with cubicles can be challenging, the most effective approaches include placing cameras on the ceiling for an overarching view of cubicles or situating them in the room’s corners.

Deciding between the two options will depend on your company’s goals and budget – since ceiling cameras may be more cost-effective, but corner-mounted cameras provide a more accurate and detailed viewing angle.

Secluded Areas And Potential Hiding Spots

One of the most common goals of installing video surveillance equipment is to leave no room for hiding spots or secluded areas. However, the feasibility of achieving this depends largely on your budget since having a camera trained on every nook and cranny requires more equipment.

If covering all areas inside the building is not financially feasible, a strategic approach is to prioritize main corridors, stairways, and common areas such as break rooms or lobbies. From there, it may be beneficial to consider spots a bad actor may try to access and hide – like conference rooms, closets, or unused office space. 

Building Perimeter

Monitoring the outside perimeter of a building is just as important – and potentially more so – than monitoring the interior. However, you don’t want to monitor just the immediate exterior of the building. Your viewpoint should cover everything within the property’s borders, including parking lots, garages, and outbuildings like storage sheds or maintenance areas.

When considering outdoor security, installing night vision cameras is particularly advisable for businesses with warehouses or night shifts or those that carry valuable merchandise or equipment and could become a target for theft. Night vision cameras enhance surveillance capabilities during low-light conditions, providing an added layer of security to ensure comprehensive property monitoring, especially in areas prone to reduced visibility during nighttime.

Places To Install Video Surveillance Cameras For Different Industries

While the ultimate goal of camera placement is to ensure that the widest area is captured with the most detail possible, depending on your industry, certain areas may be more important to monitor than others.

Retail and Hospitality

There are two constants in the retail and hospitality industries: guest experience is the top priority, and financial transactions are taking place all day. In these types of businesses, ensuring that every Point of Sale (POS) station is within clear view is important. Similarly, in the public areas where guests primarily congregate (lobbies, the front desk, the dining room), it’s important to have cameras in place to capture any incidents that may take place. 

Similarly, installing cameras in the kitchens and store rooms can help deter theft, ensure employees follow protocol, and capture any accidents. Also, body cameras are a great addition to such environments.

Construction

Construction job sites are often unattended at night and over the weekend, with thousands of dollars of expensive equipment and materials left behind. Video surveillance cameras situated around the job site can help deter theft or – if one occurs – provide evidence to law enforcement. 

As with the hospitality industry, construction sites are also notoriously dangerous, and having cameras on site can help document any accidents and ensure that all team members follow the appropriate procedures to avoid incidents. Contrary to the hospitality sector, construction sites can derive significant advantages from mobile surveillance platforms, offering a higher return on investment and greater convenience.

Utilities

With remote substations and facilities spread across many miles, it can be difficult to maintain coverage across the entire service area. With video surveillance cameras, you can keep a watchful eye on your facilities and equipment without having any personnel physically present on site.

About MCA

MCA is one of the largest and most trusted integrators in the United States, offering world-class voice, data, and security solutions that enhance the quality, safety, and productivity of customers, operations, and lives.

More than 65,000 customers trust MCA to provide carefully researched solutions for a safe, secure, and more efficient workplace. As your trusted advisor, we reduce the time and effort needed to research, install, and maintain the right solutions to make your workplace better.  

Our team of certified professionals across the United States delivers a full suite of reliable technologies with a service-first approach. The MCA advantage is our extensive service portfolio to support the solution lifecycle from start to finish.