How To Install A Security Camera For Your Business: A Complete DIY Guide

The importance of security cameras for business security cannot be overstated. Having eyes on your business looking for suspicious activity at all times. Be it any business, an office complex, a retail store, a gas station, warehouse, construction site, restaurant, and public places, security cameras are a staple in security surveillance. North America alone has 28% share of the global security cameras. This comes out to be 85 million security cameras placed in public places, homes and office buildings and other places of work.

Usually, security camera installation is done by professional security service providers, however, with the recent developments in technology, and the ease-of-use that comes with it, you can also install security cameras yourself.

This blog offers a complete guide on how to install a security camera for your business, what to look out for and how to get the most use out of the security camera.

Security camera installation can go both ways. It can be a complex process with tons of cameras, wiring, setup and more, or it could be just as simple as mounting a camera and plugging it in. This can happen depending on the requirements. Whichever way the setup goes, you can study up and perform the installation yourself, or hire a security company to do it for you if you feel like it is getting too difficult at any point.

Here is the complete step-by-step process to install a security camera yourself all the way from planning, sourcing and the final setup:

Just as it is important to have a security camera in the first place, knowing which one to get for your business security is just as crucial. With so many options to choose from, picking the right one can pay dividends towards the end of the install.

Take an audit of your needs such as weather-proofing, camera angle, resolution, zoom, IR capability and analytics. Make a checklist separated by must-haves and good-to-haves and shortlist security cameras based on the must-haves first.

Once you have your security cameras shortlisted based on the features, factor budget into the mix. This would help you make the final decision on which camera to go for. While buying the security camera, figure the cost of installation into it as well so that your entire project remains within your budget as well.

With so many brands out there, it can get difficult to choose. This is where experience and expert reviews come in handy. For security cameras to be reliable and durable, they must come from a reputable brand such as Avigilon, Axis Communications, or Verkada. These brands provide top-notch quality and robust cyber security features.

Now that you have your security camera picked out, think about how you are going to place it, the materials you would need, where power would come from, and what extra materials would you need for the installation.

Doorways and windows are common access points that have to be monitored. Study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics states that the most common entryways for thieves are the front door, back door, and first floor windows. Surveilling those for a start provides instant awareness for your site.

Assess if there are any obstructions such as walls, trees or pillars that may create blindspots in surveillance. Take into consideration the entire field of view and the blind spots before the installation. Also consider if there is proper lighting on the site for clear images.

Depending on the security camera you pick out, think about how you are going to power them. For reference, based on the camera, these are the power sources required for each camera type:

Some cameras are also solar-powered/battery operated, and do not require a separate source of power to work.

Have everything required for the installation at hand before you start the installation. This involves tools, screws, wires, security camera(s) and more:

• Screws
• Electric Drill
• Ladder
• Ethernet Cable
• Hammer
• Fish tapes

This can involve extensive planning before installation. If there is a power source nearby, it makes your life easier. Having exposed wires is not a good idea as they provide easy access to anyone looking to disable your security camera.

• Plan The Wiring Route: Make a diagram of where the wiring would go, making a route from the power source all the way to the security camera. This could be through the ceiling or in the walls.
• Use a Protection Cover or Conduit: To keep your wiring from being damaged, consider running a conduit through the route as well, to enclose your wiring, preventing general wear and tear of exposed wires.

Mount the security cameras come with the required screws, brackets and any other thing required for the install. Follow the procedure below to mount your security camera to the wall:

• Drilling Holes In The Wall: Use the mounting template to mark spots for screws. Use the drill to put holes into the spots marked by the template.
• Connecting Power And Internet: Connect the power cable to the camera. See if everything works properly before mounting the security camera on the wall/ceiling.

• Difference Between Wired And Wireless Cameras: For wired cameras, a PoE switch is required that is connected to the security camera through the PoE, as well as a power source. In the case of wireless cameras, the camera is only connected to the power source and the internet is connected wirelessly.

Now that the physical installation is done, setting up the security camera comes next. Most security cameras come with their own software that allows easy monitoring. Make sure that you are set up correctly. For IP security cameras, you can configure the IP settings onto your computer as well.

• Connect Camera To The App: Whether it is on desktop or mobile, set up the security camera by adding it into the application. This application allows you to monitor from anywhere, enable features, and manage the camera.
• Enable Required Features: Features like motion detection, tracking, scheduling and license plate recognition can be enabled through the application, based on your requirements.
• Adjust Camera Angles: From the footage, make sure that your cameras are positioned correctly and pointed the right way so that you are covering the view you wish to capture.

Now that your security camera is set up, you can monitor any and all activity on your site, keep an eye on business, and make sure that everything and everyone is safe. This guide works well for simple systems that have simplified wiring diagrams and only one, or a few, security cameras. For more complex installations, consider consulting a security service provider for expert advice.

When installing security cameras, taking care of a few things can make a huge difference in how your camera performs. Here are a few things that can improve your surveillance needs:

These cameras offer a simple installation process, mainly because they require little to no wiring. For PoE cameras, internet and power can be run through a single cable, or the internet can be connected wirelessly, while power can be provided through a wire.

If you have the budget and flexibility, go for a multi-camera system to make sure you have no blindspots. If not, consider a camera with a wider field of view, such as 180 degrees or more so you can cover the entire area with a single camera.

Be sure to keep the camera at a height so as to get a better view as well as keep it out of range of vandals and thieves trying to disable the camera.

Even if the security camera has night or thermal vision, make sure that it has adequate lighting for the best possible image quality for zooming in and further processing if needed.

Exposed security cameras can act as a strong deterrent, however, hiding cameras or camouflaging them can keep thieves and robbers from trying to disable them.

They have industry-specific experience to help keep your business secure. More than the installation, a security provider takes away the worry of security camera installation and maintenance and makes sure that you get a reliable security system that never fails you.

Keeping these things in mind when installing security cameras can keep you secure. In case you are performing the installation outdoors, be sure to check out our outdoor camera installation guide for more information. If you wish to see an in-depth procedure of how a security camera installation looks like on a specific security camera, check out our guide for Verkada C62-E outdoor camera installation.

If you are looking to install security cameras for your business in Canada, contact Spotter Security for a reliable security camera system. With over 20 years of experience in the security industry, and the expertise of securing businesses from various industries including construction, warehousing, office complexes, college campuses, retail stores and more, Spotter Security knows what threats your business faces and how to protect it against them. Get in touch for a consultation call to see how Spotter Security can secure your business.

Security camera installation can be a fun experience as well as a complicated one at times. For the best results, it is better to read up before you take on the installation.

For more complex installations, consider hiring a security service provider that can help you design the security system according to your needs.