5 reasons NOT to use Wireless Security Cameras for your business
There are a lot of reasons to use security cameras for your business. They can help protect your property and deter crime. However, there are a few reasons you should not use wireless security cameras. Here’s my top five:
1. Wireless connectivity is not as reliable as wired connections.
Wi-Fi is a shared medium. That means that your security cameras are sharing the same bandwidth as your cell phone, laptop, and any other devices that are connected to your Wi-Fi network. And because security cameras are constantly streaming video, they can use up a great deal of bandwidth. This can cause performance issues both in your security system and your daily internet usage, especially if you have a good number of cameras.
If you’re relying on wireless security cameras, it’s important to place them as close to your wireless access point as possible. The closer they are, the better the signal will be and the more reliable the connection will be. If you have to place them further away, or through walls made of materials more difficult for wireless signal to pass through, consider using a wired Ethernet connection instead. Wired connections are much more reliable. You don’t want to have a situation where the footage you need is missing, because the camera dropped off of the wireless network at the time.
2. The camera will need to have a power cable run to it anyway, so why not use a wired camera?
The power requirements of a security camera are important to consider when planning your install. Most security cameras require 12V or 24V power to the camera, so a wire would be needed in some regard anyway. There are battery powered wireless security cameras available on the market, but the batteries don’t last very long.
Another advantage of more modern wired cameras is that they can be powered directly from the same cable that the data is coming over. This is most common in network cameras with “Power Over Ethernet” or PoE, but there are also analog options where the power can be sent over the coaxial cable.
3. Wireless signals can be easily intercepted, which could compromise the security of your footage or data.
One way to prevent this is to encrypt your wireless signal. Unfortunately, not all encryption methods are created equal. Older methods can be cracked very quickly, and newer ones are only effective in the long term if they have long and complex passwords.
If you’re using security cameras for your business, it’s important to be aware of the potential security risks of having that information exposed over the air.
4. Battery-powered cameras may not last very long, especially if they are constantly recording footage.
The amount of time a security camera can run on batteries really varies. For example, a trail camera that only takes still images every few minutes might be able to last much longer than a wireless security camera with IR illuminators for night vision.
Generally speaking, though, most battery-powered security cameras won’t last an entire day of recording without needing to be recharged or have their batteries replaced. This is something to keep in mind if you’re considering using these types of cameras for your business. Security is important, but so is making sure your cameras are always up and running. Wireless options might seem cheaper up front because of the added costs of running cables, but they could save you money and hassle in the long run.
5. There’s no risk of the signal being interrupted by interference.
There are a limited number of wireless channels available for your entire area. Neighbors who are operating on the same or overlapping frequencies could cause poor performance even on your network, which could cause the wireless connection between the camera and access point to disconnect. The symptoms would be similar to if the camera was near the edge of the wireless networks’ range. Spotty connections, which also means missing footage.
Businesses should take this into consideration when installing security cameras as part of their surveillance system. Security cameras that rely on a wired connection are not susceptible to this type of interference, but they are often more expensive to install. Wireless security cameras offer a more affordable solution, but it’s important to be aware of the potential for signal interference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to installing security cameras in your business. While wireless security cameras can be easier to setup and are fantastic options for home users, in the world of business and risk management you can’t go wrong with a good old fashioned wire.
What do you think?
