Network Security Considerations - Basic Selection Criteria

Is your home or business "smart"? No, not Einstein smart, but do you know what is going on when you are not physically there? In the world of ever increasing technical advances, you can (and possible should) be able to keep an eye on things remotely.

There are many choices in the marketplace to allow you to monitor what's going on, either live or recorded. A networked security system often integrates access control (door locks, card readers, pin pads,etc..) with IP surveillance cameras and alarms. The system can be customized to your needs to detect user defined activities and have notifications or alerts sent directly to your device.

Affinitech has tested and installed many integrated systems over the past several years and have found that there are some key considerations / features to look for when selecting the system that will work best for you:

1. Environment. This is probably the most important consideration when selecting a system. 

- Camera locations and purpose of monitoring.

- Points for access control and purpose of monitoring.

- Indoor and outdoor device requirements.

- Multi-location requirements. Do you wish to "tie together" more than one location? An IP based system can support this requirement anywhere there is a network connection.

- Weather. Believe it our not, system/device selection criteria are different in Alaska and Florida.

2. Simplicity. Not just in the sense that you can "plug and play" the identified hardware, but also in configuring and setting up alerts and notifications.

3. Design. The devices that you choose should be discretely placed and fit well within the physical environment. Is this something that you actually want at your home or place of work? The design for the front office or home may look completely different than the system you may choose for a warehouse or garage.

4. Support. Will the hardware allow you to check in from anywhere? Are you choosing the features that you require, or have you chosen too few or too many? Whatever your decision, you should have strong support from  a system authorized installer and from the manufacturer as well. 

5. Price. Big box, off-the-shelf systems may work perfectly for you. Often times, these systems come with a control unit and 4,6, 8 or more cameras. If you are a strong DIYer, this may work well for you. If you are looking for state-of-the integration of cameras and access control, especially in a business environment, chances are you will require expert consultation and installation. Please note that with larger, enterprise solutions, licensing fees may apply to the control unit as well as every device on the system. This can add up. 

On the positive side of the cost equation, you may receive a break on your insurance premiums by installing a network security system. Check with your agent.

6. Storage. If you choose a system and would like to store "footage", please note that there is a simple equation to consider. The more you wish to save, the more you are likely to pay for a server. This is a site specific consideration. Your recordings may be stored on site or to a remote server, perhaps in the "cloud".

7. Ongoing Support. Purchasing from a large chain store has price advantages. Working with a certified design and installation "house" is probably your best decision as the complexity of your environment increases.