While planning to install a new outdoor security camera system, ironically, the security of the cameras and the attached cables is of primary importance. If the cameras and accessories are not secure, your security may be compromised. Your outdoor security cameras have to be protected not only from professional burglars but also the weather, dust, animals, and bugs. While wireless and tamper detection technologies can help with protecting cameras, they cannot replace proper planning.
Protection From Inclement Weather
Security cameras that operate in the open have to be able to cope with the extremes of weather at that location. They must be able to withstand, or be housed properly to survive, heat, cold, humidity, wind, water, snow, and ice. The camera accessories like the power and data cable also must also be able to operate well under the ambient conditions.
Make sure the camera’s operating temperature range is broad enough to cover both the lows and highs of the temperatures at its mounting location. Use weatherproof housing to protect the camera from water, snow, and ice. The camera housing can serve the dual purpose of cleverly camouflaging the camera so it is not easily detected by potential burglars. Any plain housing is easily converted to a camouflaged one with a coat of paint that matches the surroundings.
Cameras come with ingress protection (IP) rating numbers that indicate their ability to withstand the elements. The IP number of a camera can help you to quickly assess how well protected the camera is against dust and water.
Protection From Dirt, Dust, Animals, and Bugs
Outdoor cameras need to be protected from dirt, dust, bugs, and animals interfering with their smooth function. Critters like squirrels can chew through cables, so cables must be sheathed. Bees and wasps can build their nests on the camera lens or spiders can spin webs that hinder the camera’s field of vision. Periodic maintenance is the only way to protect cameras and accessories from insects and animals. Spray the camera and its housing at regular intervals with insect repellents and use something like Critter Ridder™ to keep animals away. After each spraying, do not forget to wipe away spray from the lens. The camera and housing must be cleaned thoroughly of dust and dirt before using the insect repellent.
Protection From Vandalism
The greatest threat to your security systems is vandalism since it is an intentional action to disable it. Hence, protection from vandalism is of paramount importance.
Mounting outdoor cameras at spots that are easily visible to the public is a double-edged sword. No doubt, the visibility of cameras is a strong deterrent to burglars. But the experienced burglars know how to work around a camera’s field of vision, or to render it ineffective before breaking in. So, easily visible surveillance makes it easier for burglars to plan how to defeat it. There are a few ways you can protect your security cameras.
- Camouflage or hide outdoor security cameras, so that they are not easy to detect. But if the cameras are not visible, burglars may think the area is not under surveillance. Hence, it helps to post a few highly visible “Premises Under Surveillance” signs.
- Mount them high up, out of reach of people and animals
- Keep them indoors, peering out from window panes so the miscreants cannot get at them without breaking in. But it is easy to block these cameras just as easily as if they are mounted outdoors.
While planning the installation of your surveillance equipment, it is important to figure out the proper positioning of the cameras and also consider using technologically advanced cameras like wireless ones and/or tamper detecting cameras.
Proper Positioning
Outdoor cameras must be positioned so that their fields of vision overlap and each camera and its vicinity are visible at least to one other camera. If the burglars’ attempt to block one camera, they will be captured on another one.
If it is possible to do so, keep the cameras out of sight, hidden inside birdhouses or other garden fixtures. But while doing this, be careful to ensure that the cameras’ visual fields are not hindered. If it is not possible to hide them, try to at least keep them out of reach, once again ensuring that they have a clear view of the target area.
Wired or Wireless?
Wires are easy to detect. An easy way to disable cameras is to cut the cables feeding power to them. Access to wires can be made difficult by mounting the cameras on external walls while routing the cables along internal walls and connecting to the camera through a hole in the wall at the camera’s mounting point.
Another option is to use wireless outdoor cameras. These are powered by rechargeable batteries and transmit their data over Wi-Fi. The downside of these devices is that batteries need recharging so the unit needs to be accessed regularly.
Tamper Detection Cameras
Nowadays, cameras with built-in tamper detection are available. These cameras have the smarts to send alerts when someone tries to meddle with them. Some actions that will trigger these cameras to send alerts are:
- Blocking the camera lens with objects or painting over it
- Cutting off power to the camera
- Attempts at moving or destroying the camera
Mobile Video Guard specializes in providing site security for commercial, industrial, and government establishments like:
- Building construction,
- Car dealerships,
- Hospitals and labs,
- Retail shops and storage facilities,
- Schools and government offices.
You can view the details of our recent projects on our gallery page.
Learn More About Protecting Your Outdoor Security Cameras
Mobile Video Guard provides live monitoring through indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras. We complement this visual monitoring with speakers for talking to the sites under surveillance. Mobile Video Guard helps secure temporary sites like construction areas, irrespective of the location whether urban or rural.
You can get a quote on your specific surveillance requirement by filling out the online form on our get a quote page. The more information you can provide us, the easier it is to for us to prepare a customized proposal that fully resolves your issues.
