The cornerstone of virtually any high-risk commercial environment is a robust video surveillance security system. This kind of installation comes with some important decisions, such as: How much coverage is enough? Where will you store your surveillance footage? How much will you realistically need for your system?
These questions can be challenging to answer, especially without prior experience in commercial surveillance. Fortunately, businesses like yours across the Mountain West can rely on Utah’s own PEAK Alarm to provide hard-earned expertise on these important matters. To get you started, let’s talk about the ins and outs of storing footage for your new video surveillance security system.
Storing Footage for Your Video Surveillance System
When it comes to storing significant amounts of footage, there are two primary options to consider: on-site storage and cloud-based storage. Each comes with distinct advantages and limitations. Understanding these unique factors is key to making the most of your video surveillance security system.
The Advantages of On-Site Storage
On-site storage methods involve one of several localized devices, most notably DVRs (digital video recorders) or NVRs (network video recorders). Footage captured by your surveillance cameras can be routed directly by wire to these devices somewhere on the premises. This method has been a tried-and-true solution for years due to a few distinct advantages:
Complete Control
Localized storage allows you to maintain direct control over your footage, how it’s stored, who can view it, and when it’s deleted. This can be especially valuable for businesses with strict security protocols due to threats of cyber attacks.
No Internet Dependency
When your footage is stored locally, it’s accessible even if your internet connection goes down. This ensures uninterrupted recording and retrieval during outages when your facilities may be most vulnerable.
High Bandwidth Efficiency
On-site storage enables your business to be far more economical with bandwidth compared to cloud-based options. This can be especially critical for systems with numerous cameras capturing high-definition footage.
Despite these advantages, it’s important to remember that local storage has its share of drawbacks. For example, physical storage devices may be vulnerable to theft or damage; if the recording device is destroyed, even by something as simple as water damage, your footage could be lost entirely.
The Advantages of Cloud-Based Storage
Over the last several years, cloud storage has skyrocketed in popularity as a solution for video surveillance security system storage. By storing surveillance footage in secure, off-site servers, cloud storage provides a host of advantages in convenience and accessibility, including:
Remote Accessibility
Cloud-based storage allows you to view footage from anywhere in the world from an authorized device, even your smartphone. This is particularly beneficial for business owners who spend lots of time on the road and may be unable to check in person.
Enhanced Security
With cloud storage, your footage is always safe from physical theft or damage to your property. Even in the event of a break-in or natural disaster, your footage will remain safe and accessible.
Scalability
Perhaps most importantly, cloud-based storage can scale with you as your business grows. If and when you add more cameras, you can easily expand your cloud plan without worrying about the limitations of hardware or physical space.
As you might expect, cloud storage comes with challenges as well. For businesses with substantial infrastructure, trying to upload data from too many cameras could put a serious strain on the internet bandwidth and result in higher storage costs over time.
The Ultimate Solution: Hybrid Storage
Given the advantages and limitations of each, there’s a clear solution to get the best possible performance out of your video surveillance security system for a reasonable cost: a hybrid approach to storage. By strategically combining on-site and cloud storage, businesses can create a more efficient and secure surveillance system that offers:
Local Recording for All Cameras
All cameras can route footage to an on-site device, such as a DVR. This ensures you have a complete archive accessible at all times without relying on internet connectivity.
Selective Cloud Storage
Once you’ve identified your most critical cameras, such as those monitoring cash registers, entrances, or high-value inventory, you can configure them to push their footage to the cloud. This ensures your most vital data is safely stored off-site while minimizing the strain on your bandwidth.
Practical Applications for Hybrid Surveillance Storage
Hybrid storage is ideal for a wide range of commercial environments. A retail store, for example, could use a hybrid system to record footage from all cameras on-site while uploading point-of-sale footage directly to the cloud. This way, that business will have immediate access to footage in the event of a shoplifting incident while keeping costs manageable. Some other applications include:
Schools
Over sprawling campuses with multiple buildings, hybrid storage can allow for better accessibility across the property without over-relying on internet bandwidth.
Offices
Office environments can keep critical areas like server rooms and main entrances secure with cloud storage while surveilling common areas with on-site storage.
Warehouses
Hybrid surveillance storage allows businesses to monitor expansive spaces efficiently and cost-effectively while still protecting footage from key zones like loading docks in the cloud.
By balancing the strengths of localized and cloud-based storage methods, businesses can offset the disadvantages of each as well, creating a surveillance strategy that maximizes flexibility, security, and long-term value.
Build Your Video Surveillance Security System With PEAK
Choosing the right storage solutions for your business is a critical step in building a viable video surveillance security system. Though it’s a big decision, you’ll never have to navigate it alone. Here at PEAK Alarm, we provide the technology, experience, and expertise to cultivate a unique security strategy for each commercial location we service. Whatever unique challenges your business faces, our technicians can find the solution. Get in touch to learn more.
Protect what matters most to you. Contact PEAK Alarm today.
