Financial institutions rely on two things above all else: the trust of their clients and the safety of their assets. As you might imagine, these two things are interdependent; it is impossible to run a successful bank without robust security measures. If you’re looking to build a better security system for your business, visibility should be your first priority. In other words, your bank needs robust video surveillance coverage.
Banks and similar institutions are prime targets for burglary, fraud, and vandalism. A modern video surveillance system is the first line of defense against these threats. However, not all surveillance systems are built for the unique security needs of banks. Financial institutions require higher-quality resolution, redundant storage, and a strategic camera setup to ensure full protection.
PEAK Alarm has been securing banks across the Mountain West for more than 50 years, providing custom-tailored security solutions to protect assets, employees, and customers alike. As the resident experts on commercial surveillance, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting started.
How Bank Video Surveillance Works
Though today’s criminals tend to opt for digital fraud and cyber theft over physical heists, robbery is still a genuine threat banks must contend with. According to the FBI, robberies still cost banks, credit unions, and related businesses millions of dollars every year—and even if a bank itself goes unscathed, parking lots can be prime targets for individual muggings.
To combat this, bank surveillance systems must be designed to serve both proactive and reactive security roles. Here’s how it works:
Proactive Measures: Visibility & Deterrence
The best case scenario in a security situation is avoiding a breach altogether—and the best bank surveillance systems do just that. A visible, high-quality camera system can ward off a surprising number of threats. Burglars and vandals think twice before targeting a location that is obviously under watch.
Beyond deterrence, however, video surveillance also empowers your bank security with real-time monitoring, allowing response teams to react immediately to suspicious activity. For the most effective protection, your system will need to cover critical areas such as:
Entrances and exits – Monitor who comes and goes, capturing reliable footage of anyone who may need to be identified.
ATMs and teller stations – Monitor transactions and client interactions to deter fraud attempts and protect your employees.
Drive-throughs and parking lots – Extend security beyond the building to prevent vandalism and watch for potential danger.
Vault and secure areas – Reinforce your access control and maintain visibility over both sensitive data and high-value assets.
Reactive Measures: Identification & Investigation
Even the best security systems can’t deter every threat—and that’s exactly why video surveillance is so critical. In the event of a security breach, a bank’s surveillance system can supply clear, high-resolution footage of the incident. This information could be critical to identifying suspects and recovering damages during investigation.
For banks, it’s especially critical to invest in high-quality cameras that capture clearer footage, with features like HD resolution, night vision, and facial recognition. Blurry footage simply won’t cut it when it comes to investigating a crime.
Banks must also consider how to safely store footage for an adequate period of time—both to comply with regulations and to assist with investigations. A 30-day storage period is standard, though the needs of law enforcement may demand additional time to retrieve footage.
Secure Storage: Preserving Critical Footage
On the topic of safe storage, it’s important to remember that a bank surveillance system is only as strong as its data protection. At PEAK Alarm, we implement a two-tiered approach to ensure your surveillance footage remains protected through a hybrid storage model:
On-site storage – Provides instant access to footage and ensures banks can retrieve video without relying on internet connectivity.
Cloud backup – Adds an extra layer of security by protecting footage from on-site threats such as theft, vandalism, or hardware failure.
By utilizing both storage methods, banks and similar businesses can mitigate the threat of data loss due to tampering, corruption, or device damage.
Choosing the Right Bank Surveillance Technology
Not all security cameras are designed for bank-level protection—and even the most technically impressive equipment can fail if not properly implemented. For this reason, when it comes to high-security scenarios, a professional touch is essential. Here at PEAK Alarm, we help financial institutions select the best cameras and configurations to overcome the unique challenges of the field. The most effective bank surveillance systems feature:
- HD and 4K resolution for crystal-clear identification of individuals, license plates, etc.
- Wide dynamic range to ensure clear visibility in bright and dark areas.
- Motion-triggered recording to optimize storage capacity and capture relevant activity.
- Remote access capabilities for real-time monitoring from any authorized device.
Fortify Your Bank With PEAK Alarm
When it comes to protecting something as essential as your financial institution, experience really does matter. PEAK Alarm has been securing businesses in Utah for decades without interruption, providing industry-leading video surveillance through strategic design, cutting-edge technology, and around-the-clock service.
Together, we can design a surveillance system that protects every corner of your bank. Contact PEAK Alarm today for a consultation and take the first step toward unmatched bank security.
Protect what matters most to you. Contact PEAK Alarm today.