Tag: security

Building a decent surveillance system for your home or office doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. In fact, you may already possess most of what you need to build a small network of cameras around any areas you’re interested in surveying. You don’t even need special training or a technical degree to implement a cost efficient and effective system; byusing wireless IP cameras and your computer, you can watch and record streaming video directly to your system.

1. Cameras – There are many brands of IP cameras thatcan work well for your needs without requiring an expensive investment. Cameras like the Airlink 101 SkyIPCam1500W offer a range of features and can easily connect to virtually any wireless network. Loaded with night-vision technology, these cameras are inexpensive and work well for monitoring doorways, rooms and other areas you may want to cover.

2. Router – Unless you have custom settings entered into your router for DHCP or other connections, virtually any wireless router will work with these IP cameras. As default settings go, the entire setup can be as easy as plug-and-play. However, keep in mind that you’ll have greater wireless coverage for your network with more powerful routers.

3. Computer Software – Many of these cameras utilize software that you install on your computer. This software can control most of the recording aspects of your surveillance system, including support for multiple monitors. Each camera saves its recordings to individual folders on your computer for ease of use. While this software may be a quick and small installation, each camera folder can take up a lot of hard drive space. If you have a desktop computer or a server, it would be wise to install a separate hard drive for nothing more than camera recordings.

4. Monitoring the Cameras – While most camera software will allow you to watch all of the cameras in unison, many of them will also support the ability to connect to them directly. By using the camera’s IP address in a web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox, you can directly access the camera and view the live stream. This kind of access will also allow you to change different settings of the camera, such as wireless network access, night-vision, motion sensing and other features the camera might have.

5. Easy to Install – Depending on the model of your camera and where you buyit,it’s possible to start running your own single camera surveillance system today for less than $100. Although setting the camera up may take a little work, the camera can typically be plugged in and set up in its location in less than an hour. Since many of these camera brands are stackable, you are able to add the same model of camera to your surveillance system later and manage the recordings from a single piece of software. The software included in cameras such as the Airlink 101 SkIPCam can support up to 16 simultaneous cameras.

For those on a tight budget, this may be a more ideal solution for an affordable way to build an effective surveillance system. As long as the cameras can connect to your wireless network, you can place them in virtually any locale that power can reach. Day or night, monitor your home or business from the convenience of your own computer or laptop.

About the Author: Ken Myers is a father, husband, and entrepreneur. He has combined his passion for helping families find in-home care with his experience to build a business. Learn more about him by visiting @KenneyMyers on Twitter.

Employers need to protect their employees and their company assets from outside elements with ill-intent. Though companies may be determined to pick the best company to provide them security services, most of them could ask “How can you pick a good security services provider?”

There are a lot of businesses now offering efficient corporate security. So how will you know which one to hire? In choosing the best company to get for your business’ security services, you should be asking these questions:

1. Are they licensed?

Getting a licensed security personnel means you have properly trained professionals guarding your property. It’s essential to make sure the service provider has licensed personnel to take care of your company’s security needs.

2. Do you trust them?

Before hiring a company for their security services, you must gauge if this is a company you can trust. If at the first few meetings you immediately get the notion or inkling that you can’t trust them, be very wary. Don’t just brush this off. Instead what you can do is do further research about the company and find out about their reputation. You can ask other businesses who they’ve worked for or check online for any reviews or feedback previous clients may have shared.

Trust is very important and it’s vital that this is established before the agency actually provides the services to your company. The company can’t be there 24/7 to check on the security staff they have hired, so it’s important they trust them to do what they’re supposed to.

3. Are they experienced?

Experience is a major factor in determining the competence of a security services provider. The longer they have been in service, the more experience they have in dealing with and handling different types of security issues. If the company is still fairly new there is a big chance they haven’t been exposed to many security issues yet which means they might not be the best ones to hire for your company’s security.

4. Are they quick to respond?

A security services company should have a system that enables a quick response from the management and the team to ensure emergency situations are handled immediately and any concerns you may have will be addressed quickly.

5. Do they have the latest technology for their security equipment?

Even if the security personnel are properly trained, if they are not updated with the latest security equipment, then they would not be as effective. Pick a provider who has a staff adept with the latest commercial security systems. It will also be good if this provider personally provides the equipment and is capable of installing them for you so you won’t need to look for another provider to do this.

6. How much does their service cost?

Though price is something you should consider last, this is still a big factor that should determine which reliable security services provider to choose. The important thing to remember is you should be getting the value for your money. A top-notch security service doesn’t always mean huge costs. On the other hand, it doesn’t mean just because a provider charges highly they provide quality services. Make sure you are not duped into signing a contract with someone who’s just all talk. Be sure you find someone who can also walk the talk. Ensure the company is getting its money’s worth.

When it comes to a business, the people working in it and the information housed inside it are the bloodline of the company. If it’s safely guarded then the company can focus on doing business as they’re assured their most important assets are protected and no harm can come to them. In picking the right security services provider, businesses must make a tough decision on getting the right one for their company. With these guidelines, businesses will be on the right track of doing so.

About the Author: A self-professed geek, Debra Wright has dreamt of being a writer since as long as she could remember. She has recently written about a number of topics online, including electronic security, and hopes to get more people interested in security services through her written work. Get to know her more through twitter @debrawrites…