A CCTV system is useful to have, but they’re only good if they’re being used properly. Without proper use, you’d be spending up to thousands of dollars on a useless system. In this article, we will be covering a few common CCTV system mistakes that you might be making.

Neglecting CCTV System Maintenance

The biggest mistake that you could make when it comes to your CCTV system is not doing regular inspections. Even though nothing may be broken, performing routine maintenance is necessary to ensure that your system is working properly. Neglecting maintenance could potentially put your property at risk if something is broken or if the cables are not connected properly. For the best performance, you should hire a professional for a comprehensive maintenance check and do routine upkeep yourself with this checklist.

Not Reviewing CCTV Footage

Another frequent mistake that owners make is not reviewing their CCTV system footage. Regularly reviewing footage takes up time so a lot of people only playback footage when there’s a specific incident they’re looking for, but this is a necessary task. Doing so will allow you to catch any events that you might’ve missed or help you prevent any incidents in the making. For example, many burglars may plan for a robbery by scoping out the property days in advance to figure out the best time to attack. Reviewing footage will allow you to notice any suspicious people and prevent planned crimes.

Improper Camera Placement

Having the proper camera placement is necessary to ensure that the cameras record all areas of interest. Making sure that your cameras are in the correct positions should be an ongoing process, not something that is just reserved for the initial installation. Constantly checking the camera placement will allow you to improve the coverage and eliminate any blind spots. Additionally, you should remember to adjust the position of the cameras every time you rearrange a room to make sure that the cameras are still pointing towards important things. For example, if you move the location of a cash register or safe, then you should alter the position of the camera to point in the new direction.

Inadequate CCTV System Security

Although a CCTV system is meant to provide a property with security, the systems themselves require protection. One common mistake is that many people forget to secure their CCTV system against hackers which compromises their privacy and personal information. To protect against hackers, you should secure your network and change your passwords often. Additionally, you should vandal-proof your system to prevent criminals from stealing or disabling your system.

Purchasing Low-Quality Products

A good quality CCTV system is an investment, but it’s a worthwhile investment. It may be tempting to just buy the cheapest products to get the job done, but saving a little money now might actually cost you more in the long-run. Cheap products tend to be low-quality which means that they will break down faster and have more issues regarding reliability. Additionally, cheap products won’t come with professional support and services so you might get stuck on your own when something goes wrong.

Ignoring CCTV System Laws

Even though the CCTV system might be installed on your own property, there are still a few laws and regulations that you must follow. Some important guidelines include: do not use hidden cameras in private places, avoid pointing cameras into another person’s property, be mindful of your state’s wiretapping laws, and more. Failure to abide by these rules may land you into trouble with the law.

When In Doubt…

If you have any doubts about your CCTV system, then it’s always best to consult with an experienced professional. A reputable CCTV professional would be able to guide you to the right products and advise you on how to improve the use of your system.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions