Jun 24, 2015

In recent years, wireless surveillance has become increasingly popular, and for good reason. This approach can be more cost-effective than digging trenches and laying wires and is also easily scalable and movable when needs change.

However, some organizations rely on legacy, non-redundant setups for their wireless surveillance as opposed to using a robust mesh network. There are several problems with this approach, which can not only compromise the quality of the surveillance feed but can also impact the overall security. Let’s take a look at why mesh networks are ideal for wireless surveillance:

More than enough bandwidth
Networks depending on a very small number of access points must share limited bandwidth resources, which could cause considerable performance issues. When the network doesn’t have proper bandwidth to support critical surveillance processes, video feeds can become choppy or grainy, preventing officials from getting the clear picture they need.

In addition, if a connection is interrupted or broken, the organization must work quickly to identify the issue and repair it in order to bring the surveillance system back online. With a robust mesh network, like that offered by Firetide, the technology is able to heal itself, ensuring that surveillance is never down.

Potential for hacking
ZoneAlarm also pointed out that many wireless security systems are at an increased risk for cybercriminal activity. In the past, hackers have been able to remotely break into both home and business-based surveillance systems, which could lead to a whole host of problems for the organization. Not only is privacy at stake, but malicious actors could hijack surveillance feeds for a range of harmful purposes.

A mesh network, on the other hand, is inherently more secure, ensuring that video feeds are only accessible to law enforcement and other officials.

Although sticking with a status quo option may seem a convenient choice for wireless surveillance, it is simply not the best option. Investing in a mesh network to underpin surveillance allows for higher quality, more secure connections.

To find out more, contact Firetide today.