Instances where poor video surveillance installations result in detrimental impact on forensic investigations remain common, leaving end users unhappy and frustrated. In this article, Iain Cameron of Mirasys details some of the most common mistakes made by installers and/or end users, which reduce the efficacy of surveillance infrastructure, and presents some advice on how these common downfalls can be avoided through thorough planning and understanding.
Instances where poor video surveillance installations result in detrimental impact on forensic investigations remain common, leaving end users unhappy and frustrated. In this article, Iain Cameron of Mirasys details some of the most common mistakes made by installers and/or end users, which reduce the efficacy of surveillance infrastructure, and presents some advice on how these common downfalls can be avoided through thorough planning and understanding.
1. IDENTIFYING REQUIREMENTS
Lack of awareness around surveillance requirements of any given customer/location is one of the biggest problems associated with the technology today. Installers need to identify the core business needs of the customer, and whether the infrastructure is required for security, to act as a deterrent, for data gathering or a combination of all three. Too often, installers jump to the design and installation phase without meeting the end-user requirements first, which could lead to critical aims and objectives not being met once the implementation is complete.
In neglecting this essential step, end users may find that they have surveillance solutions installed, which either are insufficient for purpose or include unnecessary features which they are paying for and simply not using. Businesses looking to implement a surveillance system go to installers for experience-based advice, and it is, therefore, essential that end users and installers work together from the start and communicate needs to ensure the chosen solution suits them.
For example, businesses should evaluate whether they are looking to observe static or moving objects, people or locations, in dim or bright light; each of these factors, and many others, will impact the solution and its outcome.
2. OVER SPECIFICATION
With a proliferation of new technology being brought to market and the advancement of features like VCA, another common mistake is for a business to implement technology for technology's sake, demanding higher specifications than may be actually needed. For example, businesses today often look to meet too many requirements at one time, and in a surveillance context, this may mean wanting HD or even broadcast grade as well as high frame rates. Achieving this can often be financially unrealistic, as broadcast-grade video recording at a high frame rate can cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Similarly, multimegapixel cameras may struggle in low light or when expected to monitor fast movement such as traffic. Installers, therefore, have a responsibility to identify these limitations to end users to set expectations appropriately. Equally, customers need to be open to expert advice around getting the best results for any given surveillance area. For example, balancing a lower-resolution camera with a higher frame rate can achieve similar results as utilizing an HD camera, while still keeping costs low.
3. LIMITED MARKET UNDERSTANDING
The plethora of highly functional and feature-rich video solutions on the market would make designing an installation “into a corner” a real mistake. Getting the most out of a surveillance platform and deriving value for money are important, and require a scalable and flexible solution that can accommodate future changes as technologies continue to evolve.
For example, a situation where updated camera or analytic technology cannot be folded into an existing infrastructure due to a closed, proprietary implementation is an oversight which is made too often. For businesses who want to take full advantage of what is on offer in the marketplace, utilizing an open platform which supports technologies from multiple vendors is much more effective, particularly when ensuring that a business' surveillance needs can be supported as security requirements evolve.
In particular, companies which design their installations based on budgetary constraints as opposed to requirements are failing to recognize that quality solutions will deliver more effectively over a longer period of time. If the initial investment is lacking, then solutions may fall short of their intended purpose. Installations which fail to address all considerations at the outset are frequently found to be of less use when they are needed. For example, end users need to be educated on features such as VCA, mobile access and remote monitoring; this will help ensure that they get the most out of solutions.
4. POOR MAINTENANCE
To avoid potential system failures, it is important to keep all equipment properly maintained. Having a good maintenance schedule and structure means that a business can ensure all cameras are functioning as they should be and that system integrity is up to scratch. Neglecting maintenance is likely to result in faults later down the line. Within the context of IT and data management, maintenance schedules such as rebooting devices, clearing caches, removing unwanted data and ensuring system performance through commonly scheduled maintenance events are important in order to ensure that solutions are running efficiently.
In recent discussions with law enforcement agencies, it is also apparent that the ability to produce usable and admissible evidence is absolutely imperative, so in certain cases, the systems used should be able to provide both easily viewable, re-encoded footage as well as the native recordings, without having to take the systems off-line. End users do not always understand these basic maintenance tasks, and so one way to combat this is for installers to include these schedules within a managed service to ensure the long-term performance of the solution. Offering this service is also a great way for installers to stand out from competitors.
Furthermore, it is important to point out that the higher the specification of the implemented solution, the more maintenance is required. Often, users of VCA solutions such as ALPR do not realize that maintenance is also required here to keep on top of the vast quantities of data required to run algorithms which result in enter and exit filters, dwell filters and even object filters. When upgrading a solution, maintenance schedules also need to be upgraded to meet new demands.
5. AN IT ISSUE
The increasingly complex nature of security installations, particularly when employing IP-based solutions, means that video surveillance is — more than ever — becoming an issue for the IT department instead of a concern solely for security staff. A common error is the failure to adequately consider the capabilities of the IT department when choosing and implementing security solutions, and evaluate whether these match the requirements of complex surveillance technologies.
For example, transmission of IP footage requires high network bandwidth availability and data center storage; these are clearly issues which should be discussed with the IT team before any significant infrastructure decisions are made. Too often, IT personnel will inform security teams that video surveillance is not permitted to run on the existing infrastructure due to issues such as company policy, which can lead to a poorly implemented system not fit for purpose.
Addressing common missteps when implementing video surveillance solutions means that installers and end users alike can ensure platforms meet business requirements. By addressing these challenges at the outset, any project — whether it is “ripping out and replacing” or upgrading an existing implementation — should be successful for both the installer and end user. The long-term benefits of careful planning are evident, forming the basis of any successful implementation which offers high performance, longevity and cost-effectiveness.