With the rise in crime rates all over the world, one might think of different ways to keep themselves and their families safe. Security camera systems (sometimes referred to as CCTV cameras) have played a significant role in subduing crime. Over the last decade, we’ve seen a considerable increase in the number of CCTV cameras. Everyone is trying to secure their homes and offices by installing these monitoring devices.
Editors’s Note: This article is a guest post from Garrett Thomas that may be of interest to HomeTechHacker readers. Garett is a French national, and a student of IT in his final year at Stanford University. He’s exceptionally passionate about writing his thoughts in words. He takes up writing projects in his leisure time to accompany his studies. He’s obsessed with exploring new technologies. Garett regularly shares his ideas at http://www.imperialcctv.com/blog/.
People spend thousands of dollars on the latest CCTV camera technologies, believing that you cannot put a price on safety. I agree with that, but the technology is a double-edged sword. While it has countless benefits, it also has a number of disadvantages.
People generally don’t think about the drawbacks of such technologies. They talk at length about the advantages but never realize that these technologies can cause a few troubles as well. Keeping that in mind, I have mentioned below a few pros and cons of security camera systems.
Security Camera Pros
Acts as a Crime Deterrent
Security cameras can play a huge role in reducing crime. One of the most prominent and vital advantages of security cameras is that they act as a deterrent against would-be thieves and intruders. Whenever potential intruders look at a camera staring back at them, they get scared, and they refrain from committing an act that might be against the law.
They know someone may be watching and recording their every move. This alone is enough to keep such mischief-makers at bay. Installing a CCTV camera considerably reduces the risk of criminal activities. So, installing a security camera is a very good idea. If I were in your place, I would start looking for a surveillance camera installation near me right now.
Helps Catching Criminals
If someone robs or store, steals your valuables, or any other unfortunate event takes place in the presence of a security camera, more often than not, culprits can be easy to identify and apprehend.
Security cameras prevent these situations from happening in the first place, but if they do take place, security cameras make it very easy for the authorities to bring the guilty party to justice. The last decade has brought about great improvements in facial recognition software. Police can easily identify and catch wrongdoers caught on camera.
Moreover, CCTV footage showing a person committing a wrongful act can be used in a court of law as evidence to prosecute the culprit. Surveillance footage can also help prove the innocence of the wrongly accused.
Provides Constant Monitoring
CCTV cameras help you with continuous and heightened monitoring of vulnerable areas. If you feel like a certain area at your home or office is sensitive with regard to security, you can place a CCTV camera nearby to keep it under constant surveillance. It will create a sense of security because they prevent unwanted intrusion.
Moreover, placing a CCTV camera inside your office to monitor your employees can help increase productivity. When unmonitored, people tend to procrastinate and waste time but placing a CCTV camera to keep an eye on them, changes that. When they know that they are being monitored, they work more efficiently.
A CCTV camera can also help you monitor the punctuality of your employees. You can talk to an employee that is habitually late and motivate them to be more punctual.
Security Camera Cons
They Can Be Expensive
Security cameras can be quite expensive. Depending on what kind of coverage and quality you are looking for, you might have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The cost mainly depends on the video quality and the number of cameras that you plan on buying.
If you’re thinking of installing the camera by yourself, you should think twice. Security camera installation is often difficult unless you have a thorough knowledge of wiring systems and software configuration. You need to get professional help for installation and maintenance, which means additional expenses. All and all, you might end up spending several thousand dollars on a good CCTV camera system.
Can Easily Be Tampered With
As technology evolves, so do criminals. CCTV cameras that work through the Internet can be easily hacked, which would render them useless. Criminals with practical knowledge about wiring might be able to disable your cameras or disconnect them from their power source. After criminals identify your cameras, they can find a way to avoid them or tamper with them in some way. It can cause your cameras to stop working.
Furthermore, your cameras are always vulnerable to vandalism. A criminal can easily destroy your expensive cameras without being seen, which will make it easier for them to commit any unlawful act.
Invasion of Privacy
Placing a security camera in a professional setup can give rise to many controversies. Employees might not be comfortable with being watched over, and some might think that doing so is an invasion of their privacy. It can damage the work environment as it may cause distrust between the employer and the employees. People generally feel unpleasant when being watched, which might cause unease and unrest in the workplace.
Some employees may even feel offended because setting up a camera in the working space might imply that the employees aren’t doing their job properly, which can be quite offensive for a diligent and conscientious employee.
After reading the above-mentioned points, you would have realized the pros and cons of a security camera system. Now it is up to you to decide whether you want to invest in a CCTV camera system or not. Of course, most of the drawbacks can be compensated for by taking a few precautionary measures. The choice depends on you; you need to make the right decision. Remember that how you intend to use the camera makes the difference in how people react.
