SpyGearCo: Spy and Surveillance

Workflow disruptions caused by equipment maintenance and installation can have a serious impact on your production. One of the primary reasons for summer shutdowns at plants and manufacturing facilities is to allow for preventative maintenance, installation of new equipment, and completing major projects like security camera installations without having to worry about impacting production.

If your security camera system needs an upgrade or you’re looking to install a new system, there’s no better time than during a summer shutdown. Make the most of your summer shutdown by installing a new or upgraded security camera system.

Making the case

As any plant manager worth their salt will tell you, security cameras are a huge benefit in manufacturing. Not only can security cameras help reduce inventory loss through theft by identifying unscrupulous employees or catching burglars in their tracks, but cameras can also save your company money by providing your procurement team with footage to review equipment utilization and identifying potentially fraudulent workers’ compensation claims.

By scheduling your security camera system upgrades and installation during summer shutdowns, you can minimize the inconvenience to your workforce and avoid potential delays due to some areas not being accessible during production hours. Working with the security camera installation professionals at CameraSecurityNow.com ensures that your project is completed on time and on budget.

Stop deferring maintenance

Just like all of your other equipment, security cameras require regular maintenance to stay in good working condition. Most maintenance may not be terribly disruptive, but some work may require more intrusive activities. In addition to cleaning lenses and housing, maintenance includes more technical tasks like adjusting the focus of the camera to ensure that images stay in focus, checking cables and connections to ensure that they aren’t worn, frayed, or loose, software and firmware updates, and examining storage issues. We offer a comprehensive scheduled maintenance package that can even notify you when a camera view is obstructed by a growing tree, new signage, or other objects!

Time for an upgrade

If your security cameras are more than a couple of years old, it may be time to start thinking about an upgrade. Luckily, upgrading to a digital security camera system isn’t as expensive as you may think. We can even add new digital IP cameras to your existing analog camera system to make your coverage more robust – allowing you to replace your older cameras over time rather than all at once. Our experts work with you to identify the parts of your system that are still viable and those that may need to be replaced, giving you greater control over your project budget.

Plan ahead

With so many plants and factories electing to close up shop for a week or more during the summer, it’s a busy time for security camera system installation companies and other contractors. As soon as you know when your summer shutdown will occur, you should begin scheduling any outside contractors you’ll be working with to complete maintenance, upgrades, and installations. Don’t risk having to go with a second or even third choice – contact us today to schedule your summer shutdown security camera upgrades or installation.

CameraSecurityNow.com has more than 30 years of plant security camera installation experience and our expert technicians can answer any questions you may have about securing your business. Get a quote for all of your plant security camera needs.

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Apartment Building Technology for Security Network attached security devices can provide walls of defense that increase safety in apartment buildings. Security can be provided by a number of different IP technologies such as door access control, IP camera systems, and IP intercoms and paging systems. Much like the walls of a castle, they provide increased […]

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The International Security Conference and Exposition (ISC West) is kicking off on April 10 in Las Vegas. ISC West is the biggest security trade show in the US, allowing attendees to explore the newest security products and technology, stay current on training opportunities, network with other security professionals and so much more!

With all the best security equipment brands, companies, and displays of the latest gear, ISC West is the place for security-focused companies in April – and we can’t wait to see you there!

The details

With more than 30,000 security professionals and over 1,000 exhibitors, ISC West is a must-attend event for serious physical and IT security professionals, including dealers, installers, engineers, and consultants. With so many different events, exhibits, sessions, and educational opportunities to offer, you’ll find that ISC West provides the best ROI of any security trade show or conference.

Why attend?

Want to see the latest security tech on display? From video surveillance and biometrics to access control and public security solutions, ISC West offers security experts a glimpse into both the latest products and those on the horizon. More than 1,000 exhibitors representing the best and brightest companies in the security industry, there’s no better place to get a glimpse at what’s next for the industry. While we’re not exhibiting, we look forward to seeing some our favorite vendors, like GeoVision, at ISC West!

Beef up your knowledge

Keeping up with continuing education requirements to maintain your certifications can be a challenge for busy security professionals. But now, you can get your CE hours in while networking at ISC West! SIA Education@ISC qualifies for CE hours with many of the most reputable security industry accreditation associations. More than 85 educational sessions will be offered covering many of the most important and emerging topics in the industry. Are you a new security camera installer in the industry? Basic installation and configuration of video surveillance solutions is just one of the many training opportunities that can help you hit the ground running.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Whether you’re going to learn more about the latest tech, to catch up on your continuing education credits, or for the incredible networking opportunities, ISC West is the place for security industry professionals. Along with thousands of other security experts, the professionals at Rentacomputer.com and CameraSecurityNow.com can’t wait to see you at ISC West.

Ken Senser, Senior Vice President of Global Security, Aviation, and Travel (GSAT) for Walmart, has announced his retirement, and Brian Murphy has been named Vice President of Global Security and Aviation, effective March 2019.

FedEx introduced the FedEx SameDay Bot — an autonomous delivery robot designed to help retailers make same-day and last-mile deliveries to their customers.

Everything you wanted to know about IP camera systems So you would like to purchase an IP camera system. You may have some idea about your goals. But, are those expectations realistic?   The more you know about the capability of the IP camera system, the better you can select the system that meets your […]

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How the Door Reader, credential and access control software work Door access control has become a very important part of our security structure. The door readers control the electric lock and determine who enters the building.   The access control readers use credentials which can be cards that fit in your wallet, or thick lanyard […]

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A man was sitting reading his papers when his wife hit him in the head with a frying pan.   ‘What was that for?’ the man asked. The wife replied,   ‘That was for the piece of paper with the name Jenny on it that I found in your pants pocket’.   The man then […]

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a new investment in school safety to better protect teachers and students and prepare against the threat of violence.

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Security at events is a tough job in any scenario, but when you add in high-profile guests, the stress of ensuring safety goes through the roof. Physical security guards are the industry standard for security, but when your event features politicians, athletes, movie stars, and other celebrities you need an additional layer of security. Security camera rentals can be used to support your physical security guards. Your staff can’t be everywhere all the time – that’s where security camera rentals come in. While the rest of your staff are walking about and monitoring entrances and exits, your cameras can be easily monitored by just a few security professionals. Read on to learn more about how security camera rentals can help increase security for your prominent guests at your next event.

Your eyes in the sky

Your security camera rental system should support (not replace) your physical security. While your security guards walk the floors and monitor entrances and exits, your security cameras serve as your eyes in the sky. Your cameras can be used to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, large groups of suspicious people, and scan the crowd for signs of potential violence, while remote viewing on smartphones and iPads allows designated security staff to respond to issues in real time.

If your event has a green room or backstage area for your celebrity attendees, security cameras can also help you keep an eye on who is coming and going in these areas. A visual record of who is in these sensitive areas will help your guests feel safer while offering video evidence in case an incident does occur.

Big site…no problem

No matter the size or location of your event, we have security camera rental options to fit your needs. Even if your event is outdoors without an internet connection, we’ve got a solution for you. Our wireless networks are rated for long distances – one of our wireless devices is even rated by the manufacturer as 50Mbps at 3 miles with plenty of bandwidth for smooth transmission of several camera feeds. As long as your location has power, we can meet all of your security camera rental needs.

On-site support

When you trust your event security camera needs to CameraSecurityNow.com, we provide a technician to set up your system and tear down once the event is over. Your designated security expert will even remain onsite during the event for tech support if needed. Our experts work with your security personnel before your event to determine your camera needs and layout. Once onsite, our techs work with your security staff to ensure that setup goes smoothly and that all sensitive areas are covered.

Security camera rentals when you need them

When your event features high-profile guests, you need to go above and beyond standard security practices. Security camera rentals support your physical event security. Whatever your event security camera needs, our experts work with you to review your budget, site plan, and discuss the best options to meet your security needs.

CameraSecurityNow.com offers surveillance cameras with a variety of features, including license plate and facial recognition, infrared imaging for night time and low light recording, and wireless connectivity. With more than 30 years of experience, our expert security camera installers and technicians can answer any questions you may have about security camera rentals for your event. Get a quote for all of your security camera rental needs today.

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Travel to and within the U.S. grew 3.6 percent year-over-year in December, according to the U.S. Travel Association’s latest Travel Trends Index (TTI).

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed A764, also known as “Alyssa’s Law”, requiring all New Jersey public schools to install silent panic alarms that will alert law enforcement during emergencies such as an active shooter, or to employ an alternative emergency mechanism approved by the Department of Education.

More security camera systems than ever have facial recognition capabilities. Though the software as it exists now can be hit or miss (often influenced by factors like changing lighting, hairstyles, and eyeglasses), many companies are identifying practical uses for facial recognition systems in the event industry, workplace security, and law enforcement, just to name a few. As facial recognition technology continues to improve, now is a good time to begin considering how your organization may benefit from this technology in the future.

How facial recognition works

Facial recognition technology allows your cameras to recognize human faces. These systems use biometrics to map facial features from a photograph or video. The system then compares those faces to known faces in its database. While the 2017 market for facial recognition stood at $4 billion, due to the multitude of commercial uses for the technology market is expected to grow to $7.7 billion in 2022.

Event applications

While the uses of facial recognition are limitless, perhaps their greatest commercial potential lies in the event industry. Event organizers may soon be able to use the technology to speed the check-in process at conferences or speed up the ticketing lines at concerts. In fact, Ticketmaster recently invested in a startup called Blink Identify, which claims to have developed sensors that identify individuals walking pass at full speed in less than a second. The technology would require that attendees submit a headshot of themselves when they make their purchase. These headshots would be entered into the database used to identify attendees as they enter the event.

Security teams at events may also find the tech useful. Taylor Swift’s security team used facial recognition technology during her show at the 2018 Rose Bowl to identify her known stalkers who were in attendance.

Secure rooms

If your employees are constantly forgetting their security badges or key fobs, facial recognition systems can be useful for keeping sensitive data secure while allowing employees to focus less on carrying around accessories. Once you build your database of employees permitted to enter sensitive areas or to gain access to your warehouse, you can control who is allowed to enter your facility or secure rooms. You can even trade in your time cards for facial recognition timekeeping options.

Help catch criminals 

Facial recognition technology has been a major innovation for police departments and federal agencies. Using these systems, police can scan crowds for wanted men and women, check suspects against mugshots, and look for people with outstanding warrants at events. Airports and border crossings have also put the tech to use to check for fake passports and IDs, ensuring that the person in front of them is actually the person named on the ID.

The right security cameras to meet your needs

Whether you need facial recognition, facial detection, or infrared security cameras, we have the right surveillance system to meet your needs. Our free one-hour site visit and consultation even gives you the perfect opportunity to discuss your security concerns with our camera security experts. We review your budget, site plan, and discuss your storage needs to provide you with the best options to meet your security needs.

CameraSecurityNow.com offers surveillance cameras with a variety of features, including license plate and facial recognition, infrared imaging for night time and low light recording, and wireless connectivity. With more than 30 years of experience, our expert security camera installers and technicians can answer any questions you may have about surveillance camera needs for your business. Get a quote for all of your business security camera needs today.

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Miami International Airport (MIA) has launched biometric exit technology, so passengers can now board using facial recognition rather than a boarding pass and passport.

As the northernmost town in Alaska, Barrow is no stranger to the cold and dark. In fact, it’s been 67 days since the sun last touched the snowcapped town of Barrow, Alaska. This morning, though, Barrow residents will finally welcome the return of the sun. As dawn breaks over the town, we’re taking time to celebrate some of the fun and interesting things that have happened across the US since Barrow entered the long night.

Seattle, Washington

Muggles flocked to Seattle for a Weekend of Wizardry beginning on December 6 to celebrate all things Harry Potter. Witches and wizards mingled with other devoted fans during a four-day convention that featured workshops, celebrity guests, feasts, a holiday ball, and other magical programming.

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix residents spent a night under the stars on December 13 to observe the annual Geminid meteor shower. Every December the Earth travels through particles of dust left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon. As the dust burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere, a shower of meteors wows stargazers.

Dayton, Ohio

A rare treat was visited upon Dayton (and much of the rest of the world) as a total lunar eclipse, blood moon, supermoon, and wolf moon all combined on the night of January 20. As the moon passed through the Earth’s shadow, it took on the deep red hue that gives it the name blood moon. Residents gathered on high points around the Miami Valley to get the best views of this lunar treat.

Boston, Massachusetts

Like every year since 1975, Boston’s First Night First Day celebration offered up the most popular New Year’s event in the city. With family-friendly entertainment, live musical performances, comedy acts, an ice skating show, parade, Chinese dragon, and fireworks, First Night First Day drew more than 200,000 people to Copley Square and Boston Common.

A new day in Barrow

As January 23 breaks over Barrow, residents and business owners alike are celebrating the return of the sun. If the longest night brought with it security concerns for your business, our free consultation can help you find the right surveillance camera solutions to help ease your mind in the future. At Camera Security Now, we focus on finding the best security solutions for your business. Our experts review your entire site, work with you to understand your needs and concerns, and provide a 100 percent accurate quote for your security needs. Get a quote for all of your security camera and video storage needs.

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With Data Privacy Day upon us, our friends at Computer Service Now offered some great advice about how to keep your data secure and protect your identity online. While we believe that all businesses and individuals should implement these tips, if your business wants to get serious about cybersecurity in 2019, you need to start thinking about how secure your server room really is. All the cybersecurity in the world can’t protect you from a malicious actor who has physical access to your server equipment and network infrastructure. Installing a surveillance system with access control at all entrances and exits from your security room (as well as inside), lets you control access to the room as well as offering a visual record of who entered the room and what they did there. Learn more about security cameras with access control systems offer the best way for you to protect your company’s vital data.

Access control

You’ve set up a dedicated server room with a locked door and think your network is secure – think again. Traditional locks pose little deterrent to potential data thieves, especially if the door to your server room is unmonitored by security cameras. Access control systems that are monitored by surveillance cameras offer you a complete log of who has accessed your server room, at what time, and for how long.

Access control systems use a variety of methods to limit who can enter your server room, including key cards, voice readers, code entry, and facial recognition, among others. You have full control over who has access to your server room, even being able to limit access to specific times of the day. If your company runs multiple shifts, this can be especially vital.

Controlling and recording access

By selecting an integrated security camera system with access control, we can help you track the comings and goings of employees into and out of your server room. Your security cameras can be set up to begin recording 24/7, during all business hours, or only when someone requests access to the room by scanning their keycard, entering a code, or any other access method you choose. By exercising greater control over recording preferences, you are better able to regulate the amount of storage you need for surveillance video.

You can even use security cameras for biometric or facial recognition access control. While this technology is improving and has great potential for application in access control, there are still some bugs that need to be worked out. Currently, many facial recognition systems can be tripped up by changes to hair color, eyeglasses, or uneven lighting. If you choose to go with facial recognition access control options, you may want to implement a backup access option such as a key card or code entry until the technology is perfected.

Experienced professionals

Ensuring the safety of your data is crucial to the success of your business. Server rooms secured by surveillance camera systems with access control provide an extra layer of protection for your business’ critical information, halting strangers in their tracks and preventing disgruntled employees from slipping in undetected. When it comes to keeping your data secure, our professionals are here for you. Camera Security Now’s experts deliver the camera solutions that your company needs while keeping you on budget and ensuring the security of your business, employees, and customers. To find out how easy it is to ensure the safety of your workplace, request a quote today.

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In the age of smartphones, it only takes a few minutes for an altercation or interaction caught on camera to go viral. Cell phone footage posted online by those participating in or watching these events occur only show part of the story. Without objective footage, these stories quickly dissolve into battles of rhetoric – a never-ending round of competing versions of the same story. Security cameras offer objective footage of incidents that occur on your premises, protecting you, your employees, and your business’ reputation from competing and disputed narratives. Read on to learn more about this often overlooked, but important role that security cameras play in protecting your business in the modern business world.

Not all video is created equal

Everyone has an agenda. The sad truth is that people filming and posting incidents that occur on your property have a specific narrative they want to convey. Sometimes these videos are even edited to portray a specific point of view – even if it’s not exactly the true one. If all the police and your customers have to go on is the cell phone video of those involved in or observing the incident, your business may be judged harshly and unfairly in the court of public opinion.

Security camera footage from throughout your business can provide a variety of angles on the situation and present the whole story to the public, instead of the clips or individual views caught on cell phones. Most of the security cameras that we offer include audio recording abilities, which can be especially helpful in situations involving politically or racially charged altercations. Having multiple cameras in your most public areas helps you protect the best interest of your company when an incident occurs and lets you present the whole truth quickly and easily before the narrative gets out of control.

Stop harassment

Remember BBQ Becky – the Caucasian woman who called police on a group of African Americans enjoying a barbecue at their local park? Imagine if an incident like that occurred in your place of business. How would the footage captured by patrons and others portray those involved and how would the narrative created by that footage impact your business?

Security cameras allow you to capture the full incident. By helping to provide a complete, unbiased, and unedited version of the version, your cameras allow you to protect your customers from harassment and provide a clear view of your business’ response to these incidents. Patrons want to know that they have a reasonable expectation of security when they’re in a place of business. By presenting the narrative in its truest form and relaying the footage of incidents to police when necessary, security cameras enable you to demonstrate to customers that their interests are protected when they choose to do business with you.

Make sure the only story is the true story

First impressions are often lasting impressions. When footage of Covington Catholic students at the Indigenous People’s March first emerged, the media and the public ran with the narrative that the short video presented – instantly forming opinions based on a snippet of video from a larger incident. When a longer video premiered days later, a fuller, less clear-cut image of the incident began to emerge, but for many it was too late. Opinions once formed are difficult to change.

Instead of having to battle back against already established opinions, high-quality security camera footage allows you to present the truth of an incident in a clear manner to the public. Your business is built on trust established with your customers and partners – equipping your operation with security cameras allows you to protect that reputation in the event of a high-profile incident.

The equipment you need and experience you can trust

Don’t let someone else’s version of events control the future of your business. In today’s business world, competing narratives about your business can be just as damaging as making a bad product. With CameraSecurityNow.com’s free one-hour security consultation, we are able to fully evaluate your security needs and determine the right camera products for your business. Whether you need 360-degree views, move and zoom, track motion, or stationary cameras, our detailed understanding of the common concerns that businesses face helps us deliver the best recommendations for your business. Get a quote for all of your security camera needs.

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New York is the most popular business travel destination globally, followed by London and Paris.

Michele Gay, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Safe and Sound Schools, will speak at this year's 2019 School Safety Conference. 

The FBI Agents Association has released a 72-page report with accounts from FBI agents explaining how the U.S. government shutdown has impaired their ability to fight terrorism and other crimes.

There are approximately three million data centers scattered across the United States. These facilities house organizations’ networked computer servers that collect, store, process and provide access to large amounts of data for millions of users each day. Today, these server farms have become critical to the essential functioning of government entities, financial institutions, large enterprises, social network organizations and smart cities.

Bullying is an issue at every school across the country. While October is officially Bullying Prevention Month, we know that school administrators and staff work year-round to protect students from bullying. Ensuring the safety of your school demands more than just paying attention to the language and behavior of students as they pass by staff or relying on other students to report issues. Unless you have an eye on the situations and interactions happening around your school, you can’t fully protect your students. The only way to monitor your entire campus is with security cameras.

Beyond facts and figures

In October, we told you about the perils and prevalence of bullying in schools. While these numbers are shocking, they fall far short of revealing the true story behind bullying. The physical signs of bullying may fade, but the long-term social and emotional toll that bullying takes on everyone involved can be far more difficult to quantify. We know that students that are the victims of bullying are more likely to attempt or commit suicide, but what about the other victims who live their lives in isolation and fear without the outward symptoms or actions? Protecting students from bullying is the only way to effectively halt these effects.

Give staff the tools they need

If your district is like most, you have a dedicated and talented staff who are also more than a little overworked and stretched. With growing class sizes, tightening budgets, and fewer resources, teachers and other school staff have a hard time keeping up with the daily demands of the job. Your staff wants what’s best for your students and work to ensure that bullying doesn’t happen, but maintaining an eye on every student in every situation is more than any educator can give – especially in crowded areas like playgrounds and hallways.

Give your staff the tools they need by installing security cameras that are actively monitored by school resource officers or other personnel. Live monitoring allows your security personnel to halt incidents in their tracks and begin to learn the warning signs so that they can prevent future incidents. In addition to bullying prevention, security cameras allow your staff to identify other safety concerns such as drugs, weapons, or unauthorized individuals on campus.

Experience you can trust

With decades of experience with school security camera installations and access control nationwide, CameraSecurityNow.com has a detailed understanding of common concerns and questions that school districts may have when installing camera systems. We offer cameras with 360-degree views, offering you a blind spot-free view of entire hallways, classrooms, and cafeterias. Our motorized cameras and cameras with motorized lenses offer your safety personnel the ability to move or zoom or track motion when a situation that might lead to bullying is detected. Get a quote for all of your school security camera needs.

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Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique challenges when choosing a security solution. While large businesses enjoy entire departments devoted to addressing the many facets of security – video surveillance cameras, video management, access control, network infrastructure – SMBs have limited resources to help them select and maintain a security solution.

…And other questions about image resolution you’ve been dying to have answered

Do you ever feel like your security tech is speaking a foreign language when they start talking about image and display resolution? When it comes to the world of security cameras, you’ve probably read a lot about 4MP cameras, 4K cameras, and HD cameras, but what does it all mean? Have no fear – we’re here to help you. Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions we get about image resolution and storage.

What does 4MP actually mean?

Basically, a 4MP, or megapixel, image is composed of roughly 4 million pixels. The most common 4MP resolution is 2560 pixels wide by 1440 pixels high. 4MP cameras offer a higher video quality than 1080p resolution security cameras, allowing you to get a crisper image of intruders or other security situations.

What about 4K?

4K images have a horizontal resolution of about 4000 pixels and a width resolution of 2160 for an incredible 8,294,400 total pixels. If you wanted to put it in the same language as the 4MP camera, 4K cameras feature a resolution equal to 8MP, making it twice as “good” as the 4MP in terms of resolution and number of pixels.

What is 1080p?

1080p is equivalent to about 2MP, featuring 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high. The “p” in 1080p refers to the number of pixels high the image is. In terms of resolution, 4MP is twice as good as 1080p and 4K is four times as good as 1080p.

Is 1080p the same as HD? And what is UHD?

Sometimes. While 720p (1280×720 pixels) is pretty much obsolete, it is still technically high definition (HD). However, 1080p is known as “full HD”. Ultra HD, or UHD, typically refers to 4K resolution, though there is also 8K UHD.

What does aspect ratio mean?

Aspect ratio refers to the ratio between the width and height of an image. Standard 4MP resolution has an aspect ratio of 16:9, or 16 pixels in width for every nine pixels in height. In addition to being the most common aspect ratio today, 16:9 it is also close to the “golden ratio” that exists somewhere between 16:10 and 16:9 that is most pleasing to the eye.

What does resolution have to do with security cameras?

The highest single-lens cameras we currently offer are 5MP. By putting multiple lenses side-by-side and using computer technology to create a composite image, however, the only limit to a camera’s resolution is processing power. We commonly sell 4-lens 8MP fisheye cameras and have sold multi-lens cameras of up to 40MP. One of the highest resolution videos ever made is this 121MP time-lapse video of Earth. The lowest resolution single-lens camera resolution we currently offer is 2MP, though we can manually lower the resolution of any camera to meet your needs.

How does my camera’s resolution effect storage space?

The higher the resolution of your camera, the more storage space it will require. When stored in the same format a 4MP image uses roughly twice as much space as a 2MP image, while a 4K image takes up twice as much storage space as a 4MP image. 1080p uses half the space of a 4MP and 720p uses half of the space of a 1080p image.

Still have questions?

Our free one-hour site visit and consultation is the ideal opportunity for you to discuss your questions with our camera security experts. Not only can we answer all of your questions, but we will also work with you to offer the best options for your security camera installation while keeping your project on budget.

If you’re looking a one-stop shop for your security camera needs, look no further than the experienced professionals at Camera Security Now. Our camera service installation professionals deliver the camera solutions that your company needs, helping you ensure the security of your business, employees, and customers. To find out how easy it is to keep your company secure, request a quote today.

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A push for public safety in New Orleans led to the creation of its Real-Time Crime Center, which is improving relations between citizens, business owners and police, and saving law enforcement thousands of man-hours every year.

Surveillance video storage requirements can vary widely across industries. For example, medical marijuana dispensaries in Ohio require 24/7 security video to be retained for a minimum of six months, and the footage must be made available to the licensing board upon request. However, the insurance industry standard is one-year retention for marijuana dispensaries. For most industries, you can get by with a lot less storage. For most businesses a few weeks to a couple of months work of storage is plenty. You can learn more about the specific video storage requirements for your industry from your state licensing board or Secretary of State. Even if there are no set rules for video retention for your industry, here are a few things you should consider when deciding how much storage you need.

Workers’ comp injuries

Annual payments for workers’ compensation claims annually top $60 billion, with nearly 10 percent of those costs paid on fraudulent claims. Did you know that many states allow injured workers one to three years to file a workers’ comp claim? If you’re in an industry where workplace injuries are common, you might want to consider long-term storage and RAID options. Fraudulent claims can unnecessarily drive up your workers’ comp premiums. These false claims have led workers’ comp bureaus in all states to put greater scrutiny on injury claims – negatively impacting those who have a genuine injury. Surveillance footage can provide concrete evidence for actual injuries while helping to limit your liability to fraud when an injury is faked or when an employee is injured due to their own negligence.

Loss prevention

Security cameras also help your loss prevention team keep an eye on inventory and cash drawers. If your business is frequently the victim of shoplifters or employee graft, surveillance cameras allow you to effectively track and identify incidents. For prosecution of shoplifters, security video can provide proof of guilt and help you prevent future incidents. If you have a large staff putting your finger on the culprit of employee graft can be difficult, your surveillance footage may be just the tool you need to identify your thief.

Track incidents

Keep a log of all major incidents that you may need to revisit later. If you think that storage might be an issue, be sure to save the footage on a local or external hard drive. Keeping a log will make it quick and easy to recall footage when needed. Finding specific footage from an incident several months or more ago that you have no record of may be time-consuming and difficult. Long-term storage won’t do you much good without the ability to narrow down the timing of the specific event or incident you’re searching for.

Helping your company meet storage requirements and needs

Whether you have everyday storage needs that could be met with an NVR or need the redundancy and long-term storage of RAID arrays, our security consultants can help you find the right video storage length for your business. We focus on delivering the solutions you need and never try to upsell you on huge storage systems unless your business truly needs them. With our free site visit and consultation, our security professionals deliver the storage solutions that best meet the requirements of your industry. More than just a sales call, our experts review your entire site and provide a 100 percent accurate quote for your security needs. Get a quote for all of your security camera and video storage needs.

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A new study by computer scientists at William & Mary shows how burglars could potentially break into houses through smart home devices.

The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released the fourth edition of its Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools.

ISPA recently recognized 41 security professionals who exceeded the standard of excellence in their careers and professional positions during 2018.

Keeping up with your favorite industry blogs isn’t always easy. We always strive to provide you with the latest information about the newest security camera technology that we have to offer and new solutions to improve your surveillance system. To keep you in the loop on all of our security camera solutions, we’ve compiled a list of our three best posts of 2018.

IP vs Analog

With continuous improvement in security camera technology, the variety of options available to help meet your surveillance needs may be daunting. With excellent options for both IP and coax cameras, our security experts work with you to determine the camera solution that best fits your needs and budget. Understanding the advantages of IP camera solutions over their analog predecessors can help you make the decision about whether its time to upgrade your existing analog system.

The higher resolution of IP security cameras provides a level of clarity and depth that is unmatched by analog systems, giving them an edge over coax cameras in facial recognition, license plate tracking, and long-distance monitoring, recording, and playback. If your business is in an older building with thick walls or little crawl space, the wireless solution of IP cameras can allow you to install cameras in locations that older coax systems simply can’t go. To find out how easy it is to keep your company secure, request a quote today and read our article Advantages of IP Camera Security Systems over Analog CCTV for more information.

Keep employees honest

Employee theft is one of the most frustrating things that a business owner has to deal with. Not only does this behavior violate the inherent trust you have in your employees, but suspicion could also be cast on innocent staff members if you don’t have a POS security system in place to catch your true thief.

Since this type of theft is most commonly a crime of opportunity, often employee theft will cease after installation of security cameras. Our Geovision security cameras can be integrated with your POS system to display what is being rung up and long-term storage options allow you to playback video from weeks or even months ago, allowing you to track specific incidents of theft over a period to time to determine your culprit.

With our wide range of security camera options, you can stop employee theft from putting a dent in your bottom line. To learn more about protecting your cash drawer and inventory request a quote today and read our article Help! My Cash Drawer Doesn’t Add Up! for more information.

Stay healthy and safe

With health and fitness an ever-growing concern for Americans, keeping your gym facilities secure is an easy way to attract higher income members. Surveillance cameras allow you to monitor the safety of your members, while also keeping an eye on staff members and loiterers.

The mere presence of visible cameras in your business is often enough to make a potential criminal think twice. Criminals will know that their actions will be caught on video and that footage turned over the police – increasing their chances of getting caught. You may even find that members will choose your gym over others because you are showing that you’re serious about the safety of your clients. To learn more about protecting your gym’s members request a quote today and read our article Does Your Gym Need a Security Boost for more information.

The Camera Security Now difference

Camera Security Now provides a free one-hour site visit and security consultation for all of our clients. This is the ideal opportunity for you to discuss your concerns with our camera security experts. By working with you to understand your needs and budget, we can put together security camera options that allow you to meet your objectives while staying within your budget guidelines.

If you’re looking a one-stop shop for your security camera needs, look no further than the experienced professionals at Camera Security Now. Our camera service installation professionals deliver the camera solutions that your company needs, helping you ensure the security of your business, employees, and customers. To find out how easy it is to keep your company secure, request a quote today.

Follow our blog to stay up-to-date with CameraSecurityNow.com and connect with us on social media. Join in the discussion by commenting below.

Students in Chinese schools are wearing uniforms embedded with computer chips to monitor their attendance.

The Federal Commission on School Safety (Commission) has released a 177-page report detailing 93 best practices and policy recommendations for improving safety at schools across the country.

When the prestigious Aloft Dubai South in the United Arab Emirates opened on October 15, 2018, guests, visitors and staff at the new hotel were already protected by an advanced video surveillance system with Arecont Vision Costar megapixel cameras.

A new WorldAware report breaks down key global threats for businesses seeking to protect their people and operations.

Applying security technology to business continuity and operational efficiency was a major theme for 2018, and will be especially important in 2019. As technology is an integral part of business operations – and with cybersecurity risks at an all-time high – many organizations are utilizing their security platforms beyond traditional applications to improve operations and increase efficiency.

Camera loss due to pest infestation is common, especially during the winter season when rodents and other vermin like to find their way indoors from the cold. Damage to a cable is a quick and easy fix, but rodents can also cause damage to the connector and parts of the camera that require a total replacement of the camera. Since most mice, squirrels, rats, and other vermin can eventually gnaw through most physical barriers, staying vigilant is key to preventing damage to your security cameras. Make rodent and pest control part of your security plan by employing these tips to protect your security cameras.

Know the warning signs

In business settings, you may never see a mouse or rat unless the infestation becomes severe. Knowing the warning signs of a potential problem is an important first step in protecting your security camera system.

Start in your staff kitchen area where food is likely to draw rodents first. Look for telltale signs like droppings in cabinets and drawers and gnaw marks on food packages. Encourage employees to listen for and report any suspicious scratching or scurrying sounds in the walls. You should also go into your attic or crawl space and look for droppings, gnaw marks on cables, and signs of a nest. Rodents like to build nests out of packing materials and wall insulation, so check for scraps of insulation in areas where it shouldn’t be.

Regular inspections are key

It’s important that you call in a professional exterminator to conduct periodic inspections for rodents in your business. Professionals are trained to address any current infestation you may be experiencing and can help you prevent future problems. Your exterminator will have special tools that help them identify the scope of your infestation and the type of critter or critters you may be dealing with. This allows them to develop a plan of attack to get rid of your rodent problem.

While your inspector will check your entire building, you should ask them to pay special attention to the crawl spaces where your security camera cables run and at connection points. These precautions can help you detect problems early and eliminate your infestation before any of your cameras go offline.

Keep an eye on sensitive areas

Motion detecting cameras installed within the wall near the connection point for sensitive, high-security cameras can be used to identify potential infestation issues and ensure that you can treat the problem early. These cameras can also help you identify the type of critter you’re dealing with, ensuring that your exterminator is able to deploy the appropriate elimination methods the first time – saving you money and lost equipment.

Keeping rodents out

After you’ve addressed the issue, you can talk to your exterminator or other contractor about sealing any structural cracks, crevices, or other openings larger than a pencil with caulk or steel wool. You should also consider providing glass or metal containers for staff to store vulnerable food items, like coffee, cream, and sugar. Caution staff members against storing any foods like crackers and candy in their desks. Ensure that your janitorial service or designated staff member are regularly disposing of garbage.

With more than 30 years of experience, CameraSecurityNow.com can answer any questions you have about surveillance cameras and how to protect your investment. Get a quote for all of your security camera needs.

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A priest is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. However, the boy is very small, and the doorbell is too high for him to reach. After watching the boy’s efforts for some time, the priest moves closer […]

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Crime maps, a visual display of all of the crimes committed within a given area, are becoming an increasingly valuable tool for police departments across the country. Allowing police to easily identify particularly troublesome areas, crime maps help police focus often limited resources in the areas where they’re most needed and identify areas that may need extra surveillance, including security cameras, to help identify suspects when crimes are committed. Read on to learn more about how crime maps help police departments and city governments keep residents safer.

Get your crime maps here

Crime mapping often includes locations that may be predisposed to crime, like pawn shops and convenience stores, and vulnerable zones, like schools and hospitals. This allows police to identify patterns of behavior and understand the underlying causes of crimes, ultimately enabling law enforcement to identify strategies to help counter these issues.

Cities across the country have already deployed their crime maps, with many of these available publicly to allow residents and business owners to better understand potential threats in their neighborhoods. Phoenix, St. Louis, and Middletown police departments have all deployed publicly available crime maps while using more detailed crime mapping techniques within their departments to identify areas of particular concern. While multiple options are available for police departments to develop their crime maps, ArcGIS is a state-of-the-art software tool that many cities use for their public crime maps because its intuitiveness makes it easier for the general public to use.

Keeping a constant eye on trouble areas

Police departments rely on reported crimes in developing their crime maps. Crime mapping allows police to develop heat maps that identify high crime areas, enabling them to concentrate on decreasing crime rates in these areas. However, for a variety of reasons, many violent crimes each year go unreported.

Cities can deploy surveillance cameras in high crime areas can help police capture both reported and unreported crimes, giving them a better view of the situation in a particular area. These security cameras can be remotely connected back to any city building with an internet connection. Authorized users can even connect to the system remotely to monitor situations in real time.

Business-government partnerships

Crime maps allow businesses and individuals to better understand the neighborhoods in which they operate and live. If you own an office building in an area that has a high crime rate, you may want to adopt additional safety measure for your business, including installing security cameras.

Many police departments have developed working relationships with local business owners in developing crime maps. Since local governments operate on limited budgets, police often partner with local businesses to supplement their crime map data, including obtaining footage from the business’ security cameras. By working hand-in-hand with local government, business owners are able to take an active role in identifying crime in their neighborhoods and helping make their communities safer.

Surveillance where you need it most

Whenever possible, security camera footage should be monitored in real-time, allowing police personnel to be dispatched and respond to situations as they happen. CameraSecurityNow.com offers surveillance cameras with a variety of features, including license plate and facial recognition, infrared imaging for night time and low light recording, and wireless connectivity. With more than 30 years of experience, our expert security camera installers and technicians can answer any questions you may have about surveillance camera needs for your community. Get a quote for all of your plant security camera needs.

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How Mobile Personal Emergency Buttons Work The latest mobile panic buttons are designed for business, education, healthcare, hotels, and other organizations.  The mobile panic button provides advanced capability and operates through cell phone services so are not tethered to one location. They can be used anywhere there is a phone connection. The new panic buttons […]

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As 2018 draws to a close, it’s time to take a look at your company’s safety goals for the new year. Your job as Safety Director is to ensure the health and safety of your employees and workplace. Keeping up with safety in an ever-changing workplace can be more difficult than it seems. Here are a few resolutions that every Safety Director should implement in the new year.

Set up a safety committee

If you don’t already have a safety team, your most important resolution for the New Year should be the development of a safety committee. Safety committees help provide essential education, safety training, and opportunities to explore potential workplace dangers with employees.

Your safety committee should include employees from a broad spectrum of roles and levels within your company. Every member of the team should be encouraged to share their concerns and provide input in each meeting.

Encourage employees to voice concerns

Even employees who aren’t part of your established safety committee should be encouraged to share their concerns about safety issues. Develop protocols that enable employees to report potential hazards, allowing you to stop accidents before they happen. Set up clean up stations throughout the workspace and set up housekeeping policies for immediate clean-up of spills and other messes.

Reward employees for bringing these concerns to the attention of management. Create a physical or digital bulletin board that celebrates the everyday actions of regular employees to improve the safety standards of your company. Once per month name one employee as a safety star and invite them to lunch with the safety manager or provide a gift card to reward their dedication.

Create engaging safety training

Spend time creating an agenda for each training meeting so that employees can prepare and plan for each meeting. Try to veer away from lecture-style delivery as much as possible. The more you engage employees in training, the more likely they are to implement that training into their daily work.

Play games or create opportunities for employees to share personal safety stories. Invite guest speakers in from outside the company whenever possible to provide a fresh perspective. You can even utilize virtual reality simulations to create opportunities for employees to experience the dangers of not following safety protocols.

Install or upgrade your security cameras

Security cameras can help you identify everyday lapses in protocols that undermine the integrity of your safety program. Catching these slips allows you to prevent injuries and helps remind employees that safety is a priority for your company. Additionally, security cameras can help you identify areas where additional precautions are needed or specific groups of employees that could benefit from additional safety training. Not only will you be more compliant with OSHA and industry regulatory standards, but you’ll also be able to minimize injuries to employees that can lead to lost productivity for your company.

CameraSecurityNow.com is a leader in the workplace security camera industry and can provide long-term storage for all of your workplace security video for reference, training, and compliance purposes. We offer motion detecting, infrared, fisheye 360º, and Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras and cameras with audio recording abilities. Our expert technicians will install all of your equipment and can answer any questions your IT department may have. Get a quote for all of your workplace safety and security camera needs.

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U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced two pieces of legislation to protect the country’s energy grid from cyber-attacks.

By definition, a perimeter is the outer boundary, and securing that perimeter means protecting that area. Everything has a perimeter, from a large university campus to your own personal space on that campus. Law enforcement and security personnel have predefined outer perimeters that keep people either in or out in the case of an event. But you should also look within the perimeter to criticalities that could present problems.

Owning and managing an apartment building means much more than leasing apartments and handling tenant complaints – you are also responsible for the security of your residents. Helping to provide peace of mind for management and occupants, security cameras offer an easy and hassle-free means of providing for the safety of your complex. Security cameras can also help reduce crime, boost your complex’s occupancy rate, and allow you to increase rental amounts thanks to your ability to provide a safer environment for your tenants. Learn more about how installing security cameras in your apartment buildings can help improve your complex, along with a few tips for installation.

Peace of mind

When tenants and visitors move about your property, they should feel safe and comfortable. Security cameras can go a long way toward providing peace of mind for renters by deterring would-be criminals and vandalism. Installing cameras in areas like hallways, entrances, exits, courtyards, and green spaces allows occupants to congregate for communal activities with the knowledge that their safety is a priority for complex management.

For potential criminals and vandals, surveillance cameras in plain view and signage about their use can be all the deterrent needed to stop them in their tracks. Most break-ins, thefts, and vandalism are crimes of convenience that are committed when there is a low risk of getting caught. Security cameras greatly increase the risk that a criminal will be stopped or identified – thus decreasing the likelihood that crimes will occur if you post your cameras in view of potential intruders and post signage. Remote viewing allows you to access your camera footage from almost anywhere, via your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Boost occupancy – and rent

Resident safety goes a lot further than just building goodwill between tenants and management. Believing that management truly has the best interests of their occupants at heart regarding security is a major contributing factor for where renters decide to live. Additionally, residents of communities that make them feel safe and secure have longer occupancy tenures. By showing your residents the benefits of living in a community where security is paramount, your tenants will be more loyal to your complex.

Depending on the area and market, many tenants are willing to pay extra for the added security value provided by your surveillance system. When conducting tours and open houses, be sure to call out the functionality of your security camera system and how it contributes to the health and vitality of your apartment community.

Tips

There are a few important items that your management team will need to consider before installing your new security camera system. If you already have security measures in place or your project is subject to budgetary complaints, a security consultation can help you figure out how your surveillance system can fit into your existing safety plan and budget.

We offer a free one-hour site visit and consultation to ensure that we can meet your security needs while also keeping you on budget. Our experts will talk through your concerns with you and develop a site plan for where you should place your cameras. Here are a few standard placement tips from our team.

• Place cameras in areas like parking garages, common areas, mail and laundry rooms, and any other high traffic areas where tenants often go outside of their apartments.
• Administrative areas are a must for camera placement, especially if you accept rent payments on-site. You never know when a rent dispute or tenant interaction could go wrong.
• Cameras in entryways and exits can help you track when unauthorized individuals enter your complex. If a thief or vandal enters your property and commits a crime, you will have footage to provide to the police.

Protect your tenants

Security camera systems help you protect your residents, while having a positive impact on the overall health of your apartment community. By demonstrating that you’re serious about the safety of your residents, you can give your tenants peace of mind, increase your occupancy rate, and help your bottom line.

Ready to talk about your new security system? Visit CameraSecurityNow.com for some of the best rates in the business on surveillance cameras for apartment buildings. Get a quote for all of your security camera needs and schedule your free consultation today.

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IACLEA has announced plans to open a Global Center for Campus Public Safety.

The Executive Women’s Forum on Information Security, Risk Management, and Privacy (EWF) announced the 2018 Women of Influence Award Recipients and EWF Corporate Award.

Are you in the planning phase for your company’s new security system or looking to upgrade your current security cameras? With budget constraints and the significant investment of time and money to install a security camera system, you’ll want to make sure that you understand all of the options for your system and that your selections fit the needs of your business. Here are a few important considerations for your new security system.

Business Insurance

Talk to your business insurance provider before you install your new system. Many insurance companies offer discounts or rebate programs for clients that install compliant security camera systems on their premises. Ask your agent for a copy of the requirements and provide a copy to during your security camera consultation.

Our free one-hour site visit and consultation is the ideal opportunity for you to discuss your concerns with our camera security experts. You can even invite your agent to the consultation to discuss any specific questions with our experts. We can review your insurance company’s requirements and ensure that your new system is compliant with their specifications while keeping your project on budget.

Camera types

With many options for camera types available, you’ll want to do some research to get a basic understanding of the type of cameras you may be interested in. If you’re monitoring a lot of vehicle traffic on your property, you may be interested in cameras that offer license plate recognition or motorized zoom capabilities. For traditional retail operations, fisheye and pan-tilt-zoom cameras are always a popular choice.

Monitoring considerations

Do you need 24/7 monitoring of your entire operation? Do you have rooms or areas that only need to be monitored when someone enters them? We offer 24/7 monitoring and motion recording options to help fit your business needs.

For construction sites with expensive equipment where employees may frequently work with little supervision, remote viewing gives you the opportunity to keep an eye on the security of these sites from your mobile device or while sitting at your desktop. Since remote viewing requires a high-quality and reliable internet connection, our security consultants can help you review your internet speed to establish the remote connection you need.

Storage options

Does your industry have specific requirements for surveillance video storage? Storage requirements can vary depending on your business functions, the types of products you sell, the state you operate in, industry regulations, and your insurance company requirements – with 30 to 90 days being fairly standard. Some industries may require as much as one full year of general storage and up to five or more years retention of specific security incidents.

Workers’ compensation, OSHA incidents, and theft or vandalism investigations are just a few reasons why your company may need store video long-term. Camera Security Now can offer an informed recommendation on the  RAID storage solution that best meets your application and budgetary needs.

Backups

For everyday needs, DVRs and NVRs are an excellent option for high-capacity storage options. External hard drives provide simple backup options for your video storage that can be kept offsite, ensuring that your business is covered in the event of a system failure or natural disaster.

If you have massive storage needs and an ultra-high speed internet connection, Cloud storage options can provide the most secure storage backup options for your business.

The Camera Security Now difference

No matter the specific needs of your security camera system, we can work with you to find a solution that lets you get the security your business needs while meeting all of the specs and budget constraints of your project.

If you’re looking a one-stop shop for your security camera needs, look no further than the experienced professionals at Camera Security Now. Our camera service installation professionals deliver the camera solutions that your company needs, helping you ensure the security of your business, employees, and customers. To find out how easy it is to keep your company secure, request a quote today.

Follow our blog to stay up-to-date with CameraSecurityNow.com and connect with us on social media. Join in the discussion by commenting below.

The NYPD announced its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program, which will be comprised of newly acquired Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, and the licensed NYPD officers of the Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) who will operate them.

 Violence in America's emergency departments is increasing, causing harm to physicians, staff and patients, according to new research.

Though a robust and flexible user interface, security end users can manage and administer enterprise security solutions up to 30-percent faster with the CompleteView 20/20 Video Management Solution from Salient.

Despite marijuana remaining illegal under US federal law, many states and districts have begun to legalize recreational and medical marijuana use within their borders. While medical marijuana is increasingly prescribed for use to relieve pain from diseases like cancer and to treat the effects of conditions like glaucoma, recreational marijuana legalization is often the result of states wanting to capitalize on the economic boom that the market presents. Due in part to federal laws against usage and possession, states that have opted to legalize the sale of marijuana, whether for recreational or medical use, have implemented strict monitoring requirements for dispensaries and pharmacies. If you’re thinking about entering this emerging market, read on to learn more about the security camera standards of the industry and how we can help you meet those requirements.

A growing industry

Recreational marijuana use has been legalized in 10 states and Washington, DC, while medical use is currently legal in 32 states. While the approaches to legalization differ by state, with some allowing home cultivation and other restricting access to dispensaries or pharmacies, the broad general support for medical and recreational legalization seems to point to further states legalizing in the near future.

While Ohio awaits the beginning of medical marijuana sales, 56 dispensary licenses have been approved across the state by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Whether located in Cleveland, Dayton, or Columbus, We  look forward to serving the dispensaries that will be coming soon to Ohio.

Recreational legalization

Most states that have passed bills allowing for the recreational use of marijuana have settled on for-profit, private businesses sale of the substance to take advantage of the multi-billion dollar industry. Every state requires strict enforcement of age requirements, amounts that individuals can purchase or possess at one time, required packaging and disclosures, and tax collection. Additionally, some states allow a specific number of plants to be grown in individual households.

Medical legalization

Medical legalization of marijuana has seen growing support in recent decades thanks to the positive results of several studies and anecdotal evidence that point to its effectiveness in addressing pain management, nausea, and loss of appetite related to cancer treatments, limiting the impact of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, treating PTSD, and many of illnesses and diseases. Additionally, with the opioid epidemic continuing to ravage the country, marijuana’s application to treat chronic pain may help save many lives from overdose. Similar to recreational legalization, each state has its own enforcement and regulations restricting the amount, types, and fees related to use.

It’s the law

As you can imagine, states take the security risks associated with operating marijuana dispensaries, whether for medical, recreational, or joint usage, very seriously. While laws regarding the type of video surveillance vary from state to state, there are some constants and minimum requirements that every operation must meet.

Surveillance requirements

Every state that has legalized any form of marijuana usage requires 24/7 video surveillance systems for all entrances and exits to dispensaries and growing facilities. In addition, most states require that cameras also capture all internal areas of the dispensary as well. For transactions, cameras should capture the images of the employee, the customer, register, and the product exchange.

Some states have very specific requirements for camera resolution and frames per second. California, for example, mandates a minimum resolution of 1280×720 pixels and no less than 15 frames per second. Operators must be compliant with all surveillance requirements to receive their license.  The 1280×720 pixel requirement is equivalent to 2 megapixel (MP), the good news is that is the lowest resolution camera we offer, and the default framerate of our cameras is 25 frames per second or greater.

Storage requirements

All states with legal marijuana sales of any type require that the 24/7 security video be retained for a set period of time. That retention period varies by state, but dispensary operators should also consider insurance and legal coverage retention rules when opting for storage length as well.

Medical marijuana dispensaries in Ohio must retain all footage for a minimum of six months, and the footage must be made available to the licensing board upon request. However, the insurance industry standard is one-year retention for marijuana dispensaries.  Storage of several 2MP cameras at 15 frames a second for that duration requires specialized storage solutions.  Luckily, through our partners at Computer Service Now, we have full time IT professionals on staff who can help design the solution to fit your needs and budget.

Helping your dispensary meet surveillance requirements

While dispensaries have operated in San Francisco since 1992, cities like Seattle and Boston are still emerging markets in the marijuana industry and the laws that govern dispensaries in these cities are still evolving. As the marijuana industry continues to grow and expand into new states, dispensary operators will have to remain diligent to ensure that they meet the demanding requirements sets forth by the licensing boards of individual states.

CameraSecurityNow.com can help your dispensary meet the exacting demands of your state’s licensing board. With our free site visit and consultation, our security professionals can help you develop the solutions that best meet the requirements of your state. More than just a sales call, our experts review your entire site and provide a 100 percent accurate quote for your security camera needs. Get a quote for all of your dispensary security camera needs.

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Comparison of Surveillance Cameras for Your IP Camera Systems To determine the best surveillance camera, you must first understand your objectives.  The purposes of your surveillance system include increased safety, reduced theft, improved productivity, or reducing liability. It also includes how quickly you need to be notified of an alarm condition.   Do you want […]

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Measuring a return on investment (ROI) for security infrastructure is challenging. Most organizations primarily view security investments as a must-have capital expenditure. They know security systems are fundamentally necessary to protect people and assets and keep operations running smoothly. So while these technologies fulfill objectives and successfully help security teams prevent incidents, organizations oftentimes will ask: How can we truly quantify the value of a breach that never occurred?

“We wanted a partner who would look out for us as a district,” says Ron Ehlers, WCHS Network Administrator. “We wanted to invest in a futureproof system that could grow along with us.”

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker announced awards of more than $56 million in grant funding awarded last month through the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to enhance state, local, and tribal law enforcement safety and wellness.

A proposed bill in the New York State Senate would mean that anyone wanting to buy a gun or renew their gun permit will be subject to a review of their internet history and social media accounts.

The ability to identify and utilize technologies in new and different ways is one factor that is separating the good hospitals from the great.

Your nonprofit organization has many of the same security concerns as a traditional business. The difference? Your nonprofit probably has limited funds and most of the funds are tied to specific types of expenditures. Nonprofit organizations frequently approach us for help with their security needs. To help you secure your premises while staying on budget, we have a few tips for you to identify and apply for funding for your new security camera system.

Important considerations

The first step in securing your nonprofit is deciding what areas of concern you most need your camera system to address. Is your primary goal to prevent break-ins? Protecting the safety of employees or clients? No matter your goals, we can help you develop a solution that meets your needs.

With our free site visit, our sales team will work with you to develop a comprehensive and accurate proposal for your security camera needs. More than a simple site visit, our team can serve as your security consultant – ensuring that you stay on budget while meeting your security goals.

Grant opportunities

Grants.gov is an excellent source for grants from the federal government and associated agencies. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the Nonprofit Security Grant Program for agencies in areas at high risk of terrorist attack for physical security enhancements and target hardening measures, including security camera installation.

The Foundation Center offers access to information regarding grants from private and corporate foundations. State Farm’s Good Neighbor Citizenship Grant focuses its giving on safety, education, and community development. Be sure to inquire with your local or community foundation for safety and security grant opportunities.

Donors and other opportunities

Alternately, you could start a capital campaign to fund the purchase of equipment and cover the cost of your security camera installation. A successful capital campaign will inform donors of the need for the cameras, the purpose of the cameras, and how the presence of the cameras will help further your nonprofit’s mission. Solicit funds online and offline and consider starting a crowdfunding campaign page to allow donors to easily contribute to your security camera purchase.

Washington, DC’s Private Security Camera Rebate Program offers nonprofits and other businesses the opportunity to obtain a rebate on the cost of their cameras from the district’s Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants. Rebates of up to $750 are available to help offset the purchase costs of outdoor security cameras. The program began in 2016 and has grown to cover rebates of over 10,000 cameras across the district. Having seen the interest in DC’s program, many other municipalities across the nation have begun offering their own incentive programs. Check with your local, county, or state government to see if they offer a security camera rebate program.

Grow as you go

We understand that the budgets of nonprofits are often tight and extremely limited. Since many grant opportunities are awarded in small increments, funding for a full-blown system can be much harder to obtain.

We work with you to determine the right security camera system for your current budget, allowing you to expand your security monitoring capabilities if future grants are awarded. With a firm understanding of your ultimate goals for your security system, we can help you develop an expandable camera system with just a few cameras to start. As additional funding becomes available, we can add cameras to your system to increase your camera coverage towards your goal.

The Camera Security Now difference

Security concerns can be a significant distraction from your nonprofit’s mission. Everyone involved in furthering the work of your nonprofit deserves to be safe while they are on your premises. Our free one-hour site visit and consultation can provide you with the basis for your security camera grant application.

If you’re looking a one-stop shop for your security camera needs, look no further than the experienced professionals at Camera Security Now. Our camera service installation professionals deliver the camera solutions that your nonprofit needs, helping you ensure the security of your mission, employees, and the community you serve. To find out how easy it is to keep your nonprofit secure, request a quote today.

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“What is the ultimate goal of innovation?” asks Fredrik Nilsson, Vice President of the Americas, Axis Communications. His answer: bringing value to the entire security ecosystem – from other manufacturers to dealers to integrators to end users.

How to Integrate Panic Buttons into Your Security System Panic buttons can be added to security systems to increase safety and security. For example, these alarm buttons can be integrated into a security system such as surveillance camera systems, Paging systems, and door access control systems. Placing panic buttons in strategic areas can help to […]

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Wi-Fi went down during family dinner tonight. One of the kids started talking and I didn’t know who she was.   Don’t you hate it when you pack the family into the VR room for some recreational virtual time travel, and the damn kids keep asking, “Are we then yet?”   My email password has […]

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No internet connection? No problem. From farms and quarries to car washes and parking lots, many businesses don’t need internet connections to perform their regular daily functions. If your business is among those that forgo internet access, you may think that you’re out of luck when it comes to installing a security camera system to oversee your workplace. Never fear – we offer wireless point-to-point network solutions that can help you meet your surveillance needs without internet access at your location. Read on to learn more about our wireless solutions for securing your business even when you don’t have internet access on-site.

Line-of-sight

Put simply, a point to point (P2P) network, or in other words a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) in “Bridge Mode”, consists of two antennas at separate locations that are used to establish a wireless network connection between the two. At your business, a transmitting antenna allows you to receive a wireless connection from the receiving or access antenna on another building with internet access. The antennae allow the signal from your cameras to be transmitted for storage of your video on the backup medium you’ve selected. From network video recorders (NVRs) to video servers, we can meet all of your video storage needs while installing the antennae that provides the internet access needed for your cameras.

The only significant limitation for wireless P2P networks is the need for a clear line-of-sight between the access building and your location. Obstructions like hills, trees, or other buildings hamper or remove the ability for this kind of connection to be established. As long as that is available, wireless connections like these can communicate and transmit your surveillance footage for many miles.

We recently installed a security camera system at a car wash located a half a mile away from our building in Middletown. The car wash did not have internet access but did have a clear line-of-sight with our building. We were able to establish a wireless P2P connection that meets all of their security video needs and allows their cameras to function properly.

Power is a must

Another requirement for establishing a connection between the access antenna and your location is the need for power. You must have access to a power source anywhere you want to have security cameras installed.

That said, if your location does not have electricity, we can offer access to solar power for your security needs. These solutions are cost-prohibitive for most small- or mid-size businesses, costing at least $10,000 per connected camera. However, if your budget allows, this is an effective solution for business sites that lack access to traditional power sources.

Banish trenching

Wireless connectivity technology has come a long way in recent years. Installations in areas that were not economically feasible (and sometimes impossible) just a few years ago are now achieved with relative ease and speed. You can ensure the security of your business while staving off much of the expense that previously accompanied establishing camera coverage of multiple locations and those without internet access.

Trenching was once a common requirement for establishing connections between cameras in separate buildings or to establish an internet connection if one of the buildings that did not have access. Trenching is expensive, especially if existing structures like parking lots or sidewalks block your trench line. As long as you have power on both buildings and a line-of-site between them, we can install transmitting and receiving antenna to allow your security cameras to operate smoothly on the same network. Removing the need for trenching also means that you don’t have to wait for warm weather to complete your security camera installation projects.

Show and tell with Camera Security Now

Using wireless P2P networks, we can monitor parks, large corporate campuses, and parking lots – even entire downtown city areas can be monitored with camera systems connected wirelessly back to a city building. Not sure if a wireless connection is the right option for you?  Our free one-hour site visit and consultation is the ideal opportunity for you to discuss your concerns with our camera security experts.

If you’re looking a one-stop shop for your security camera needs, look no further than the experienced professionals at Camera Security Now. Our camera service installation professionals deliver the camera solutions that your company needs, helping you ensure the security of your business, employees, and customers. To find out how easy it is to keep your company secure, request a quote today.

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Reminder: Are  you still using Analog Cameras? Upgrade to Digital IP to take advantage of much higher resolution–before it’s too late! 

Opening your first location or expanding your business is a huge step. Our sister company Rentacomputer.com recently talked about opening events for new locations, but once the excitement of the expansion wears off it’s time to start thinking about the physical security of your business. When it comes to safeguarding your new location, nothing beats a quality security camera system. Read on to learn more about how our team of security camera experts can help you through the process and help find the best security camera solution for your business.

Important considerations

The first step in securing your new business is deciding what areas of concern you most need your camera system to address. Is your primary goal to prevent break-ins? Reduce shoplifting incidents? Protect the safety of employees or equipment? No matter your goals, we can help you develop a solution that meets your needs.

We make it easy to find the right solutions for your business’ security. With our free site visit, our sales team will work with you to develop a comprehensive and accurate proposal for your security camera needs. More than a simple site visit, our team can serve as your security consultant – ensuring that you stay on budget while meeting your security goals.

Strategic placement

Is your building surrounded by landscaping or other features where a potential burglar might conceal themselves? Do you have windows close to the street level that might be accessible to intruders or entry points that are concealed from the street? These are prime areas for outside camera placement.

On the interior, you should make sure to have cameras in areas that may be obscured from view. For example, if there are areas of your store that aren’t visible to the employees manning your customer service desk or checkout counter you should consider installing cameras that allow employees to view images in real time while also recording for later use.

Camera options

We offer a range of options. From license plate recognition and motorized zoom capabilities to fisheye and pan-tilt-zoom features, we have cameras with every feature your business needs. Whether you need visible cameras to deter crime or hidden cameras to discreetly catch criminals in the act, we can help advise you on the best camera options to meet your goals.

Committed to helping you stay secure

Whether you’re opening your first location or expanding, this is an important time for your business. You’ve invested your blood, sweat, and tears (not to mention countless hours and a significant amount of money) into growing your business and you want to make sure that it succeeds. A major part of that success is keeping your place of business, employees, clients, and inventory secure. You have questions about the security camera system you need, where to place your cameras, and how your cameras will work – and we have answers.

If you’re looking a one-stop shop for your security camera needs, look no further than the experienced professionals at Camera Security Now. Our camera service and installation professionals deliver the camera solutions that your company needs, helping you ensure the security of your business, employees, and customers. To find out how easy it is to keep your company secure, request a quote today.

Follow our blog to stay up-to-date with CameraSecurityNow.com and connect with us on social media. Join in the discussion by commenting below.
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Hate crimes in America rose 17 percent last year, the third consecutive year that such crimes increased.

The frequency with which Americans worry about becoming the victim of a variety of different crimes is similar to last year, as they remain much more likely to fear being victimized by cybercrimes than traditional crimes.

As the Internet of Things (IoT) grows and cyberthreats become more sophisticated and prevalent, it’s more important than ever for security companies to understand the cybersecurity landscape and have strong cybersecurity postures. The security industry is recognizing the urgency of this issue, too – in the Security Industry Association’s (SIA’s) research to forecast the 2019 Security Megatrends, cybersecurity was identified as the standout trend shaping the security industry.

Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms used in the security business When I started working for IBM many years ago, all the new employees had to go to training classes. They taught us all about their products. I found that I not only had to learn about their technology but also about the abbreviations and acronyms […]

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How to: Ensure worker safety without disrupting production

Many manufacturing plants plan seasonal shutdowns each year for a variety of reasons, including conducting preventative maintenance and installing new equipment. With careful planning and execution, seasonal shutdowns can be a prime time for completing significant projects such as security camera installation. By placing camera installation during shutdown periods, you can ensure that you are protecting your workplace while minimizing disruptions to your production schedule. Learn more about why seasonal shutdowns are the ideal time for completing your security camera installation project.

Limit disruptions

Scheduling the installation of security cameras during seasonal shutdowns allows you to minimize costs and inconvenience to your workforce. By selecting a security camera installation partner who has experience completing work during shutdown periods, you ensure that work will be completed efficiently, quickly, and successfully.

After conducting a site visit and drawing up your camera coverage map, CameraSecurityNow.com’s team will plan the installation prior to the shutdown of your facility to ensure that all work is completed before your plant reopens. While installation can occur at any time, doing so during a shutdown period allows the work to take place with no disruption to production and avoids potential delays in areas that might be inaccessible during regular work periods.

Protect your business

By installing security cameras throughout your plant, you are taking a necessary step to protect the valuable inventory and equipment at your work site. Prominently displayed security cameras discourage theft and vandalism. In the event of a break-in, your surveillance cameras can help police identify the perpetrators and prosecute them.

Ongoing safety

Not only do security cameras protect your equipment and inventory they can also help make the workplace safer for your employees. When placed in areas with high incidents of accidents, security cameras can help your safety team identify steps that need to be taken to limit harm to employees. Stored video can also be used to help protect your company from frivolous lawsuits or to support an employee’s workers’ compensation claim.

CameraSecurityNow.com has more than 30 years of plant security camera installation experience and our expert technicians can answer any questions you may have about securing your business. Get a quote for all of your plant security camera needs.

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All that snow and ice is beautiful… until you have to drive in it or make your way across a treacherously slick parking lot or sidewalk. Icy conditions in the winter lead to more accidents in parking lots. Security cameras can help you identify potential issues before they occur and provide video evidence when an injury does occur on your premises. Learn more about why security cameras should be part of your parking lot winterization plan.

Liability concerns

Whether someone takes a spill in your parking lot or one car slides into another, video surveillance can help identify who is liable in these situations. With cases of frivolous lawsuits continuing to rise, knowing when someone took a legitimate tumble on your premises or whether they are trying to take advantage of your company is important. With security cameras capable of reading license plates, even if the perpetrator of an auto collision decides to leave the scene of the accident, your security footage can help police quickly and easily identify them.

Safety for employees

Falls due to ice, sleet, and snow accounted for more than 20,000 workplace injuries in 2016, with more than a quarter of those resulting in more than a month of lost-time for the injured employee. With each of these lost-time claim costs ranging from $40,000 to $45,000, you can’t afford to ignore worker safety in wintry conditions.

Security cameras let you monitor conditions in the parking lot, ensuring that the area is kept clear of built-up snow and that salt is distributed as often as needed. Live monitoring of the camera feed can also allow you to identify potential safety hazards, like when a person stumbles without falling or when vehicles slide across black ice in the parking lot. Your maintenance crew can then address these hazard areas before an incident occurs.

Workers’ compensation fraud prevention

With 10 percent of workers’ compensation claims paid on fraudulent cases, you can never be too careful about ensuring the authenticity of every claim. When an employee is injured in your parking lot, security cameras can help you determine the exact cause of the accident. This video evidence can protect your workers’ rights to compensation and limit your exposure to fraudulent claims.

Protect lives and vehicles

Unfortunately, parking lots are a common location of crimes to occur. When temperatures drop, employees are less likely to spend time outdoors during breaks so your work site may be more vulnerable to unwanted crime. From vehicle break-ins to muggings, security cameras can help identify the perpetrator and the victim, providing police with valuable information to help your employees and customers recoup their losses.

Security cameras and parking lot winterization

Making security cameras part of your parking lot winterization plan can help you prevent injuries, reduce your exposure to liability, and protect your employees and customers from potential thefts and other crime. With our storage options for security camera footage, you can easily call up and replay video from specific incidents and seamlessly transfer that information to other interested parties, including the police or workers’ compensation case managers.

We offer motion detecting, infrared, fisheye 360º, and Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras and cameras with audio recording abilities. Our expert technicians will install all of your equipment and can answer any questions your IT department may have. Get a quote for all of your plant security camera needs.

Follow our blog to stay up-to-date with CameraSecurityNow.com and follow us on social media. Join in the discussion by commenting below.