Surveillance Systems Site

Physical surveillance is an important part of any home or business security system.  The use of cameras and microphones to capture sound and images form the basis of any strong surveillance strategy.  But often there is a gaping hole in many businesses which can lead to data loss, reduced worker productivity, and exposed intellectual property.  What happens on computer systems throughout the business network can have a significant impact on the security and integrity of even the most protected company.

Enter: Computer Surveillance.  Businesses have increasingly been using various types of computer surveillance to monitor internet use, file downloads, email traffic, and phone calls.  Some even periodically record the screens of employee computers.  And there are valid reasons behind these seemingly overly intrusive measures.  It has been shown that employees are spending significant amounts of company time sending personal email, interacting with social networks, and browsing websites unrelated to their job.  This reduces productivity per employee significantly, but there are even more serious concerns.  Employees who may be engaged in illegal activities over corporate networks or send explicit sexual images to individuals inside or outside the company present a huge risk of legal trouble or unwanted publicity.

Computer Surveillance generally takes the form of a software application that is installed on an employee computer.  This software can be installed directly on the machine or remotely from a server somewhere in the network.  Once installed, the software will track keystrokes, record browsing activity, log mouse movements, and even capture what is on the screen at certain intervals.  The administrator will have access to this data through special web portal, to which all captured information gets sent.  Armed with this information, an employer is better able to take corrective action if a certain employee is found to be abusing company resources.

In many cases, the employee will never know they are being monitored.  The software generally runs in stealth mode, hidden from view even by the most learned computer experts.  In some instances, even a reinstallation of the operating system will not eliminate the application.  Though it is legal for businesses to record employee activity without notifying them they are doing so, many lawyers will suggest that a business make its employees aware that they are being monitored and should stick to work-related activity on their computer systems.  This warning may be all that is needed to eliminate a large amount of unwanted behavior.

Computer surveillance isn’t always intentional, however.  Some programs are installed for surveillance purposes against the will of the employee or employer.  These programs are referred to as “spyware”, and can cause many problems related to computer usage and network performance.  They are not installed on purpose, but rather are accidentally given access to the system due to improper vetting of websites visited or files downloaded.  Spyware programs send data about the users activity outside the network to their home servers, often to be used for marketing purposes or to learn about user habits.  This carries a huge risk for businesses, as it provides a way for private corporate data to leave the company without notice.  Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus applications should be deployed to protect against unwanted surveillance of computer activity with the workplace.

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They’re not just for financial institutions or military installations anymore.  Surveillance systems are now vital to businesses of all sizes and industries.  They are useful in reducing theft, monitoring employees, and evaluating the effectiveness of floor displays and customer traffic.  Here we will evaluate the different types of surveillance systems commonly used by businesses, and provide important information which will help you choose the right system for your business.

Standalone vs PC-Based Surveillance Systems

The first major decision you need to make regarding the optimal system for your business is whether you need a standalone system or one which is pc-based.  Both are great options for keeping tabs on your business, but depending on your expected usage and feature requirements, one may be better for you than the other.

Standalone DVR Surveillance Camera Systems

Standalone Digital Video Recorder (DVR) systems are a great option for an entry-level starter system.  They record from your surveillance cameras directly to a hard drive - no PC involved.  You can get great quality video recording, and some systems even allow for remote viewing.  You can move video footage over to your computer with an included software application for editing or to burn to DVD.  Standalone systems are generally more economical than their PC-based cousins.

PC-Based DVR Surveillance Camera Systems

DVR Surveillance Systems which are PC-based offer the optimal amount of features and performance, but generally cost more than a standalone version.  They record directly to your PC hard-drive via a DVR card that installs in one of your available card slots.  Most offer remote viewing through a web browser and some even allow for monitoring on mobile devices.  These systems offer the highest quality resolution and can be expanded easily as your business grows.

Choosing the right camera for your system

Once you decide on the type of system you require, the next step is to choose the camera you’ll be recording with.  Business surveillance cameras come in many styles, offering differing capabilities and benefits to each.

Outdoor Surveillance Cameras

If you wish to monitor your parking lot, entry gates, or doors and windows, outdoor cameras are a necessity.  Many offer night-time recording capabilities in low to no-light conditions.

Indoor Dome Surveillance Cameras

Indoor dome cameras are a common sight near the ceilings of many businesses.  Most conceal camera position so a subject never knows where the camera is looking at any time.  Additional features on some models include light and motion sensing capability.

Infrared Surveillance Cameras

If your surveillance needs include areas that dark or have minimal light, an infrared camera might offer a solution.  These cameras project a beam of infrared light toward the viewing area of the camera.  This beam is invisible to the human eye, but illuminates the camera image for recording.  These cameras vary in price depending on the size of the viewing radius.

Hidden Surveillance Cameras

If you require a bit of discretion when monitoring, consider going covert with a hidden camera system.  These cameras are extremely small and are usually disguised as a common item found around the workplace, such as clocks, sprinkler heads, or wall decorations.  There are even wireless options, but be prepared to pay for such features.

PTZ Surveillance Cameras

Finally, you may opt to choose a PTZ (Pan\Tilt\Zoom) camera.  Most of these cameras can be operated remotely, allowing real-time repositioning of the camera without requiring a physical presence.   You can control the camera either by remote or from the computer hosting your surveillance system.  They provide great flexibility but tend to stay in the higher price ranges.

For most situations, standard surveillance equipment will provide enough security to satisfy the home or business owner.  But there are always cases where one might need something a bit more exotic.  It may be that you have a room which is prone to theft, or you need the ability to record on the go.  And it is quite possible that a situation may arise where you need something much more covert.  In this post, we will describe a few alternative surveillance options which may provide the extra pair of eyes or ears you require.

Two-Way Mirrors

A very useful and available tool for covert surveillance in certain circumstances is the two-way mirror.  Most often associate with police interrogations, these mirrors provide a one-way unrestricted view of the area on the opposite side.  These mirrors have a special coating that reflects an image back to its source, just like a standard mirror, while individuals on the reverse side can see through it, like a window.  You can find these mirrors in several stores online, as well as local spy and glass shops.  You may choose to install these in between rooms so an area may be watched by a live person, or you may opt to simply setup a spy camera on the window-side of the mirror instead.  Remember to keep the viewing side in much lower light than the mirror side, or you may be able to see through it from both locations.

Snake Cameras

If you are ever in a situation where you need to see around corners, in tight spaces, or under doors, a snake camera may be the tool for you.  These cameras are designed to be thin and flexible, so you can bend them around most objects.  Snake cameras come in various lengths, thicknesses, and camera quality.  Some even have the ability to withstand water to some degree.  Make sure you carefully evaluate your intended uses for one of these cameras and compare the specifications to your recording equipment to ensure they are compatible.  If you only need a camera of this type for a single use, consider locating a security or surveillance shop in your area to see if they have snake cameras for rent.

Cellular-Based Hidden Audio Devices

If you do not need visual surveillance, but are only concerned with hearing what is happening in a particular location, you may want to look into cellular-based hidden audio devices.  Sometimes called GSM hidden audio systems, these devices look like regular household or office items, such as a fully-functional surge protector or power strip.  They include a very-sensitive small microphone, which can be activated either by voice activity or a phone call.  Simply use any phone to call the number this device is attached to and you will immediately be able to hear everything going on near the device.  Currently, both AT&T and T-Mobile have plans that will work with these devices.