Business Security Information

This summer, I helped a friend install a DVR (digital video recorder) for his business security camera system.  I also helped him configure the DVR and his network to allow remote viewing of the security cameras for him and a few key employees.  While helping him with this project, I realized how much physical security systems have changed over the past few years.  More and more of them are being manufactured with network capabilities with many of them being installed on the business network.

Let me begin by saying that I am not a big proponent of using security cameras to secure a business.  I have dealt with a number of businesses that install security cameras without looking at their overall security needs.  Businesses that have installed security cameras often think they have adequate security but find out they don’t when a theft occurs.  Even though they have a nice recording (if the camera image quality is good) of the theft or other security incident occurring, the cameras did not stop or prevent the event from happening.  Security cameras can be used as a part of security to protect a business but should not be the first, and definitely not the only, element of security they use to protect their business.

Video Analytics is some times called video analysis or intelligent video but is very different than the older technology of basic video motion detection.  Video Analytics is basically computer software or algorithm that can be configured to analyze specific behavior that the security camera sees.  It usually encompasses a combination of hardware and software.

Traditional video motion detection uses a simple rule that when a set number of pixels change in the video, an alarm is sounded or the video starts to record the movement or both.  Video motion detection has a high false alarm rate due to the fact that any motion, not just security incidents, causes changes in the video picture.  Currently, this technology is used mainly to reduce storage space needed to record security cameras.  This way, security camera footage is only recorded when motion is detected.