Four Places You Should Cover with CCTV Systems

CCTV systems used to be a very expensive way to provide security for your private or business property. In the past decade, though, the price on high quality CCTV security systems has come down enough to make them affordable for most business and property owners. In most cases, you can provide adequate surveillance coverage for your needs for considerably less than $500.

One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when designing your CCTV security system is where to place surveillance cameras. If you choose a wired security system, your choices may be constrained to some extent by your wiring. Even if you choose a wireless CCTV system, you may still have to position your security cameras within range of an electrical outlet. Even with those considerations, though, there are four areas you should cover with surveillance cameras.

Main Entrances

If you’re setting up a security system for your home, it’s essential to cover the entrances and approaches to your home for safety sake. A security camera that covers the driveway, front and back entrances will provide plenty of warning that someone is approaching the house and allow you to check who is at your door before opening it. Surveillance footage can also allow you to go back in time and see who might have come to your front door while you were out or at work.

Areas Out of the Line of Sight

Your security cameras should also cover any areas that can’t be seen easily from your house. If, for example, you have an attached garage on one side of house and no windows that look out in that direction, a surveillance camera aimed at that side yard gives you a set of eyes where you can’t physically keep an eye on things.

Areas of Your Store that Are Blocked from Sight

In a small retail store or commercial establishment, position your security camera to provide an eagle eye view of the entire store. Pay particular attention to areas of the store that are blocked from the view of a clerk at the counter or register by aisles, end caps and other store hardware.

Point of Sale

A CCTV camera positioned at the register provides an ongoing record of every transaction carried out by each employee. That serves at least two purposes: you can keep an eye on your employees and discourage them from stealing from the till while at the same time protecting your employees from false accusations of overcharging, rude behavior and other misconduct.

CCTV systems are only as good as the surveillance they provide. Choosing the best vantage points for your security cameras is an essential part of your security plan.