When it comes to high-risk fields like banks and credit unions, secure video surveillance is more than a precaution — it’s an all-out necessity. Financial institutions face a myriad of unique challenges, from protecting cash and sensitive data to reinforcing safety measures for those who enter the building. Proper commercial security begins with surveillance.
5 Technical Upgrades for Secure Video Surveillance
PEAK Alarm has been the Mountain West’s leading name in security and surveillance for more than fifty years. In that time, we’ve equipped and serviced countless commercial locations with cutting-edge technology tailored to address the threats in their field. If your financial institution needs a big change in security, we’re here to help.
Here are five steps you can take to elevate your secure video surveillance strategy.
1. High-Resolution Footage for Useful Evidence
Blurred or unclear footage is a common issue with outdated surveillance systems, but it can be solved with a simple installation. Modern high-resolution cameras provide crystal-clear image quality, even in low-light conditions. Footage captured in 4K or similar definition can provide clear detail in faces and license plates when identifying suspects, resolving disputes, or collecting evidence of an incident.
High-stakes locations like banks — where accountability is critical to their success and reputations — rely on sharp, clear video footage. Modern security cameras offer a level of detail that allows users to operate with confidence and can even support the efforts of law enforcement in the event of an investigation.
2. 360-Degree Coverage and PTZ Cameras
Blind spots in surveillance coverage can be a liability for your business, especially in areas like vaults, entryways, and parking lots that require uninterrupted monitoring. Modern technology has given rise to 360-degree cameras, which create panoramic views to eliminate blind spots in your most critical areas.
Pan-tilt-zoom (or PTZ) cameras can provide even greater flexibility by allowing you to zoom in on points of interest and track movements in real time. This can be especially useful for identifying suspicious behavior that could precipitate a crime, such as loitering or unauthorized access attempts. For a bank, the ability to respond immediately to threats in progress could mean the difference between preventing theft and dealing with the fallout.
3. Smart Threat Detection and Video Analytics
Today’s secure video surveillance systems can do much more than capture footage — they actively analyze it with AI-driven analytics. Smart motion detection technology such as AlarmVision can distinguish between routine activity, such as employees moving through restricted areas, and suspicious behavior, such as someone attempting to access a secure zone. This allows you to mitigate false alarms to focus on legitimate threats.
For financial institutions, advanced video analytics can be an invaluable tool for identifying threats before they pose a danger to your staff, customers, or property. Facial recognition features allow you to identify potential perpetrators, while object detection technology can flag abandoned bags or other potential physical threats.
4. Cloud-Based Storage With Remote Access
Storage can be a substantial challenge for institutions with outdated surveillance technology. Traditional on-site storage systems, like DVRs, pose serious risks — they can be tampered with, stolen, or damaged during a break-in. Modern systems with cloud-based storage mitigate these risks by securely storing footage off site, meaning no physical attack can interfere with your logs.
There are a few key advantages to cloud-based storage. For one, your footage can always be accessed from an authorized remote interface like your smartphone. Cloud systems are also endlessly scalable. If you need to store larger amounts of data, you can upgrade your storage without the limits of physical space. This can be especially useful for multi-branch organizations, allowing centralized oversight and rapid response to incidents across locations.
5. Integrated Access Control and Surveillance
If there is anything more vital to the security of a financial institution than secure video surveillance, it’s comprehensive access control. Modern access control systems allow you to exercise greater control over who comes and goes from secure areas beyond the traditional lock-and-key approach. These systems can be elevated still further with proper surveillance.
When surveillance cameras are integrated with access control systems, footage can be automatically linked to access events, such as someone swiping a keycard to enter a restricted zone. If there’s any doubt about access control, entry logs can be cross-referenced with footage to verify what happened.
For financial institutions, this level of integration enhances both security and efficiency, reducing the risk of breaches while improving accountability.
Protect Your Bank With Secure Video Surveillance
Your financial institution deserves more than the bare bones of security — protect your people and your profits with secure video surveillance you can count on around the clock. PEAK Alarm carries the most advanced surveillance and access control technology available on today’s market, and we perform expert installations tailored to the needs of each location. Our central dispatch station monitors your alarms 24/7 for proactive security around the clock.
With more than half a century of experience in commercial security, PEAK Alarm is proud to be our community’s leading resource for full-service protection. If your bank or credit union is trudging ahead on outdated technology, get in touch today. We’ll provide a free consultation and comprehensive site assessment to give your business the security its industry demands.
Protect what matters most to you. Contact PEAK Alarm today.
