Sep 08, 2015

According to recent industry research, wireless surveillance systems are being adopted at increasing rates, helping transportation, public safety and law enforcement groups maintain an eye in the sky.

A 2015 study from 6Wresearch found that this is especially true in India, where the IP video surveillance market is poised to reach $1.4 billion within the next six years. This expansion supported several factors, including boosted needs for surveillance at public infrastructure construction sites and increased government security spending to address terror concerns. These needs, combined with the current availability of more cost-effective surveillance technology, is helping this and other regional marketplaces see significant growth.

Selecting the best surveillance system

However, when it comes to video surveillance, there are more than a few options available. Decision-makers will have to carefully weigh these options and factor the organization’s pain points and requirements in order to choose the best one. Let’s take a look at a few considerations managers should make when selecting a video surveillance solution:

1. Where will cameras be located?IFSEC Global contributor Julian Rutland noted that business leaders must consider the location of the cameras as well as what purpose these devices will serve. For example, the organization may need specific mounting or housing equipment for an outdoor deployment. By the same token, the company should also consider if the cameras are meant to serve as a deterrent, or if the components should be more discreet.

“Box cameras can be some of the largest and most obvious, reminding people that they’re being monitored and reducing the chance of theft,” Rutland wrote. “Dome cameras are the best to use for discretion due to their small half-spherical shape – the ultra-compact models are so small that they can fit in the palm of your hand.”

• What type of image clarity is needed? It’s also important to take image clarity into account. Rutland pointed out that the highest resolution isn’t always necessary, as small areas like offices or reception rooms might only require a low resolution. However, when considering image clarity, it’s not just the cameras that should be factored into the decision. The supporting network will also have a lot to do with image and audio quality. A mesh network topology, for example, can provide a more reliable feed for real-time deployments where high resolution images and high quality audio is required.
• Will the system need to expand? Scalability is also critical to think about. Certain systems, including traditional, hard-wired CCTV systems, are difficult to expand. Solutions supported with a wireless network, on the other hand, can easily grow to accommodate increased needs.

“It is therefore important to choose IP cameras which connect over a wireless network allowing you to easily grow and scale any installation as you need,” Rutland noted. “Adding IP cameras to a network works in much the same way as adding a phone to a VoIP network – it’s simple and easy and there’s no wiring to change or update.”

• How reliable is the technology? Reliability is an essential factor to consider, particularly if the deployment hinges on real-time feeds. A wireless mesh network topology, for instance, is one of the most resilient systems, able to heal itself in the event of an outage at any point in the network. This ensures continuous, real-time access to surveillance feeds.

Selecting a surveillance system is one of the most important decisions a business leader will make for the security of its organization. With a mesh network like that provided by Firetide, the surveillance solution is flexible, scalable and much more reliable. To find out more, contact Firetide today.