Finest enterprise safety techniques

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It is a good idea to have a business security system in place before you need it.

For too many companies, the decision to make this investment is a reactive one. The physical security of your company is at risk, resources are lost and employees feel unsafe.

Many people see cost as an obstacle to installing a reliable corporate security system. It used to be true, but today there are tons of really affordable solutions.

A small store can set up basic video surveillance for under $ 300 in the first year. No joke. And the high-end systems cost nothing compared to the losses they prevent.

You don't want to drill holes or lay wires? It's good. Wireless DIY systems are available for a song.

With video storage in the cloud, most business owners can monitor all warnings and recordings from a smartphone.

I've compiled a list of five of the best corporate security systems. You can find lightweight options that cover the basics, as well as powerful systems at competitive prices.

There will be a business security system here that meets your specific needs. By the end of this post, you will know which one.

The top 5 options for business security systems

SimpliSafe – Best for DIY security system for SMEs
Vivint – Best for professional surveillance
Alarm.com – Best professional security system for SMBs
Alibi Security – Best for updating existing security systems
Wyze – Best for Affordable DIY Video Surveillance

How to choose the best business security systems for you

Imagine you are a thief. Could you break into your own business and get away with it?

Without a full business security system, any office or store front will look like an opportunity to the wrong crowd.

But what does it take to really secure a room?

Not that much unless you are trying to lock down a casino or bank.

The typical workspace and even the huge corporate headquarters can get by with a surprisingly modest amount of equipment.

Let's break down the business security systems into their basic elements:

Access control
Intrusion detection
Video surveillance and recording
Professional surveillance
installation

I will address the key considerations in each section. From there, you can decide which devices will work best in your room.

Access control

One of the main tasks for a corporate security system is to control access to the property. The products that I really like have smart locks that can be controlled remotely.

What's more fun than having to let someone into the office on your day off?

Plus, these locks can be opened or closed at specific times to ensure a building is safe even if the last person forgets it.

Many smart locks come with keypads that allow you to assign unique PIN codes that indicate who is entering. No more missing keys.

Advanced access control features include key card systems that keep a log of everyone who comes and goes.

Intrusion detection

By adding sensors to doors and windows, business owners know when something has been opened.

Typically, owners can configure the types of alerts they receive. This means that a manager may receive a warning that a service door is staying ajar, but only the owner can see that the safe has been opened.

There are also motion sensors that can trigger alerts or set off a warning siren to notify an intruder that they have been detected.

Glass break sensors are triggered by the specific number of times someone smashes a window. This can trigger an alarm even if an intruder is not in sight or in range of other devices.

Some cameras have built-in motion detectors, alarms, lights and sirens. Mounting one of these cameras over an entrance can deter potential criminals, especially if they trigger the motion detector and are bathed in light and frowning at a camera.

These cameras can actually do a lot. Let's get into that now.

Video surveillance and storage

Any camera that is part of a business security system has two important roles: to record video and store it securely.

To do both of these things, a camera must have the right capabilities. Let's break down each responsibility.

When it comes to recording footage, here are the most important camera functions:

resolution: the picture quality (look for 1080p or better)
Field of view: How far an angle the camera sees
pan: The range a camera can pan from side to side
Tilt: The range a camera can pan up and down
Zoom: The camera can reshape and enlarge part of the field of view
Infrared: The camera can use thermal signatures to improve visibility in low light and night vision.

Let's say one camera is pointing straight down a hallway and another is pointing in a parking lot. The indoor camera does not require a wide field of view, night vision or the ability to pan / tilt / zoom.

The parking lot camera may need all of these features plus a higher resolution to maintain the image quality when zooming in on a car at the end of the lot.

Now surveillance footage is as good as useless if you can't access it when you need it. When it comes to video storage, here are some of the most important things to keep in mind:

Camera type: Analog, cellular, IP and WiFi cameras
resolution: The higher the image quality, the more storage space is required
Clip recording: Specifies whether a camera takes an image every x seconds or for y seconds after motion is detected
Continuous recording: The camera rolls around the clock
Location: Recordings can be saved on a graphics card, in the cloud, on a DVR, NVR or a mixture of these locations.

The bigger question is how can I ensure that each camera can deliver its footage to a central location where everything can be managed.

With cellular and WiFi cameras, all you really need to do is power them. WiFi cameras need to be within range, but cellular cameras can be anywhere services are available. When these are battery operated and recorded on a memory card, they are 100% wireless solutions.

When it comes to IP and analog cameras, they need to be connected to a recorder. If the cameras are PoE (Power over Ethernet), power and recording can be supplied with the same cable. If not, you will need to both power the camera and connect it to the central hub.

Professional surveillance

Some corporate security systems offer the option of professional monitoring. This means that emergency notifications are forwarded to a security center that addresses the police, fire department and / or ambulance service.

The cost of professional surveillance can vary widely and is sometimes only available through a third party provider.

installation

Some vendors offer installation for supposedly DIY systems, and I recommend charging for this. If it takes you and someone else to set things up all day, is that really more economical than paying a $ 100 pro to do it right before lunch?

Professional installation is required for high-performance systems. Wiring and placing dozens of IP cameras on a large plot of land shouldn't be tackled by a non-specialist.

There are also codes and regulations to follow for non-DIY systems. Typically, a sales rep can answer all of your questions about the fire safety code and other laws that may affect your system.

It's nothing to lose sleep on just not a problem you want to discover with the inspector.

The different types of business security systems

The breakdown of the different types of corporate security systems is pretty straightforward. Depending on your needs, you may know exactly which type will work.

Alternatively, they can be anywhere between these categories. Then the decision depends on the specific equipment that makes up the system.

If anything, I would play it safe and take extra care that you secure the entire property rather than trying to push a lighter system to the limit.

DIY business security systems

The so-called DIY business security systems consist of WiFi and cellular cameras that do not require extensive setup.

Since the cameras record directly on the Internet, they do not have to be connected to a central recorder. Most of the time, the cameras are simply mounted and connected to a power source.

All cameras, sensors, locks and other devices can be accessed via a browser or a mobile app. If you don't climb ladders, the entire installation can't take more than an hour.

DIY business security systems are really affordable, but they have their limits. They usually do not offer a large number of cameras and gradually lose their effectiveness at greater distances.

Professional business security systems

When it comes to business security systems that have to be installed by a professional, you get a much wider range of features than a DIY system.

For one, you can deploy a large and complex system. This means as many cameras, sensors and locks as needed. Everything is centralized in one place regardless of the camera type.

You also have more robust access control devices specifically designed for businesses, such as: B. Key card systems.

The cameras tend to be more expensive than their DIY counterparts, but they capture better quality images, have a wider field of view, and have improved night vision or other features.

If you think a DIY system won't make it, but you're not sure if you need a commercial security solution, this category will suit your needs.

Commercial security systems for companies

The biggest difference between commercial and professional security systems is the range and depth of equipment available. These are solutions that work for casinos, airports, correctional facilities, etc.

They are thermal imaging cameras that can record body temperature so that employees who turn on can be alerted to a fever. They can recognize faces and license plates, quantify pedestrian traffic, and come in virtually indestructible cases.

They also provide a much more extensive system for managing video surveillance on a large scale. Hundreds or thousands of cameras can be connected to a unified system that uses analytics to display the most critical warnings.

Not every company needs a commercial solution, but those that shouldn't settle for less.

# 1 – SimpliSafe – Best DIY security system for SMEs

SimpliSafe is one of the most popular security systems for private users and companies. Why? The equipment is easy to install and does the job.

The SimpliSafe hardware is basically plug-and-play, with the entire system being controlled via the mobile app. From the base station, which is the core of the system, it's possible to build a fairly extensive system with a number of sensors and a multi-purpose SimpliCam ($ 99 indoors, $ 119 outdoors).

Because these cameras have cellular and WiFi connections, they only need power to start working right away. This reduces the set-up effort and offers more flexibility with regard to the distance of cameras from the base station.

You can activate / deactivate your system remotely via the app. You can also create unique PIN codes so you know exactly who is accessing the building. Create a code for cleaners, a code for every employee, and grant or deny access without ever having to enter.

Many SMEs rent space for which someone else is responsible. If the landline network fails or a power failure occurs, you can rely on the SimpliSafe cellular cameras with battery backup to ensure safety.

Some of the highlights of a SimpliSafe business security system are:

HD video / audio cameras
Smart locks
Sensors for entry, movement, broken glass, temperature and water
105dB siren (about as loud as a car horn)
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Central dashboard for managing multiple locations
24/7 warnings

I really like it for SMBs because the setup is really DIY and covers all the basics of business security. They have special business packages for offices, shops and restaurants, equipped with tools that are tailored to the challenges of each room.

Plus, the professional surveillance services are really affordable. For Standard it is 50 ¢ / day and for Interactive 83 ¢ / day, which offers many more functions.

In both plans, if an alarm is triggered, SimpliSafe confirms with a video verification that the threat is real before the police are dispatched.

They also provide assistance with the approval process for security systems, which takes additional responsibility for SMBs in cities or states with critical regulations.

There are no contracts with SimpliSafe and you can cancel at any time. In addition to the extremely low price, SimpliSafe offers free shipping, free returns and a 60-day money-back guarantee. You even pay for the return shipping.

That basically gives you two months to find out if SimpliSafe works in practice. And if you don't, don't pay.

# 2 – Vivint – Best for professional surveillance

Vivint is a great professional enterprise security system. For companies that can't use a DIY solution, but also don't need the extensive services that come with commercial security, Vivint strikes the right balance.

They have a wide range of equipment and are professionally monitored 24/7 by any plan offered.

Vivint does not outsource monitoring to a third party. Since it is stored internally, the average waiting time for an emergency is eight seconds. That is 7.5 times faster than the national average.

Thanks to the cellular connection with battery backup, the system remains operational during a power failure so that professional monitoring is not interrupted around the clock.

Vivint offers three motion-activated cameras that notify you and the Vivint security team in real time.

My favorite, the Outdoor Camera Pro, has Smart Sentry detection that detects human movement. There is a loud chirp that draws the intruder's eyes to the camera, where a red pickup light lets them know that you are inside the camera.

The two-way voice feature lets you hear what's happening and provide your own words about the intrusion attempt.

Vivint's outdoor camera also takes really high quality pictures. With the 4k image sensor, faces and license seats can also be enlarged in the dark.

Every camera Vivint makes is just as feature-rich as their outdoor camera, and I haven't even covered everything that comes with it. The other enterprise security features are similarly robust, including:

Wireless surveillance cameras
Pan and tilt cams
Doorbell cam
Door and window sensors
Sensors: door and window, recessed door, movement, tilt, broken glass, temperature and flood
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Medical trailers
Smart locks
Smart thermostats

The Vivint Smart Drive saves all recorded videos and automatically creates clips when sensors detect unusual activity. Everything that is saved can be viewed, managed and controlled in the mobile app.

The smart drive automatically stores 30 days of uninterrupted footage. This is nice because companies don't always know that something happened immediately, even with professional surveillance.

When someone is playing fun money with the cash register, being able to look back and enlarge the cash drawer can be crucial.

You can call Vivint for a price for the cost of a business security system. Be warned, the equipment is quite expensive.

The Outdoor Camera Pro costs $ 399.99 alone, but it offers interest-free payment plans that have been broken down over the years to keep the monthly payment competitive.

All Vivint devices come with a lifetime warranty and strong encryption to prevent unauthorized users from accessing footage.

With Vivint, you only have a lot of peace of mind because you know that you are always there when something happens.

# 3 – Alarm.com – Best Professional Enterprise Security System for SMBs

Alarm.com is known for both its personal and business security systems. Their technology is used to protect more than 5 million properties and they have an A + rating from the Better Business Bureau.

For business, they focus on serving small and medium-sized businesses. This means they don't have the same range of products as commercial solutions, but what they offer is tailored to the challenges SMBs face every day.

Your smarter business security centralizes all surveillance cameras, lights and locks for easy automation and control. Information captured by the devices is reported in clear dashboards from the website or mobile app.

For additional protection, you can set schedules according to which doors are automatically locked at a specific time every day of the week. If an intrusion is detected, the real-time display allows owners to determine if the incident warrants a call to the police.

Alarm.com can be hosted on multiple websites and the reporting features can be very useful beyond corporate security.

For one, you can visualize trends, identify rush hour and customer traffic.

And since the lights and thermostat are connected to the alarm system, the building is always comfortable when people are there and energy efficient when they are not. Alerts prevent a window from closing completely, which limits waste and eliminates a potential security breach.

In terms of cameras and equipment, Alarm.com offers:

Indoor / outdoor cameras
Wired / wireless cameras
Fixed / pan cameras
Smart locks
Key card systems
Input sensors

Analog cameras can be connected to your Alarm.com system. Every camera they sell has anytime mobile access, instant video alerts, intelligent clip capture, and real-time streaming.

To purchase a business security system from Alarm.com, you must contact an authorized service provider in your area. Depending on your needs and requirements, all providers offer a range of self-service and professional installation options.

Alarm.com is a step above full DIY systems. It combines intrusion detection, access control, video surveillance and energy management in a single, intuitive app.

Entrepreneurs are always informed and their property is always safe.

# 4 – Alibi Security – Best for updating existing security systems

Alibi Security is an umbrella company that sells equipment from a range of high-end security brands. Because of this, they offer an incredibly large selection of devices that can be integrated into any system.

This is a great option for companies looking to upgrade rather than replace their existing infrastructure. Regardless of how you've deployed your system in the past, Alibi has the tools to help you improve it.

There is just an impressive range of top-notch devices that can be customized to suit any scenario. For example, if you look at surveillance cameras, Alibi has:

Cloud IP cameras
HD TVI cameras
Network IP cameras
Wireless cameras
Pan-tilt-zoom cameras
Doorbell cameras
Deterrent cameras
Hidden cameras
Micro cameras
Board cameras
Snake cameras

What does a hidden camera look like? Alibi has a few that look like ceiling speakers, motion sensors, and even smoke alarms.

You have the video recording solutions that can fully support all cameras – analog, IP, wireless … it doesn't matter. All alibi recorders share management software that centralizes operations and shortens the learning curve for users.

When it comes to intrusion detection and access control, Alibi has a complete set of hardware and software to set up keyboard, key card and request-to-exit systems.

Much of Alibi's equipment complies with the National Defense Authorization Act, which means it is good enough for the U.S. military.

You need to contact a licensed Alibi dealer for pricing. It will be in the upper end of the range, just like other commercial security solutions do.

The special thing about the direct competitors is the simple integration of the Alibi devices into your existing hardware. Since all HD / TVI recorders have Hybrid + technology, it is not difficult to migrate from analog to HD or to install a hybrid analog / HD solution.

Adding more cameras is also easy as many Alibi recorders support up to 64 IP channels, each of which is pre-licensed and fully activated.

Alibi is easy to bind and easy to scale. It's the choice for companies that want to improve their security with the latest and greatest technology.

# 5 – Wyze – Best for affordable DIY video surveillance

Wyze has ridiculously cheap cameras that do the job for companies that need to record what's going on on the ground.

Wyze is actually aimed more at homeowners than at companies. However, if all you need is video surveillance, what's the difference?

The latest version of the Wyze Cam is $ 19.99. It's small but has 1080p night vision colors and IP65 weather resistance. You can mount a camera anywhere with the Wyze Outdoor Starter Bundle ($ 49.99), which comes with an outdoor camera and required base station.

Really everywhere. The outdoor camera is wireless and runs on batteries that last 3-6 months. Wyze gives you a lot of freedom to set up a video surveillance system at a very low cost.

The Wyze Cam Pan ($ 29.99) can be rotated 360 degrees in less than three seconds. It also has motion detection so it can track the action. This is essentially a third to a tenth the cost of most other cameras that can pan.

Some of the Wyze smart home products are very helpful for business owners. Wyze Bulbs, for example, connect to WiFi so you can control them instantly or individually.

Change the light color temperature to better match the mood of a restaurant – soft and warm for the guests, then bright as a day for the nightly cleaning crew. Set a schedule for the lights to come on during the night so potential intruders will believe someone is there.

Some of the other nice products and camera features include:

Doorbell camera / intercom
Smart thermostats
Smart locks
Motion detection sirens
Motion detection zones
App
Smoke and carbon monoxide warnings

Aside from the motion detection siren on the Wyze Cam, there are no intruder detection products, although a new line of Wyze Sense products is on the horizon.

In terms of access control, they offer the Smart Lock ($ 99) and keypad ($ 20) that fit over most single-cylinder latches. You'll get a record of everyone getting in and out and notified when the door is open.

For video storage, the Basic plan is free and includes 14 days of rolling cloud storage, but only records a 12-second video when motion or sound is detected. There is also a five minute cooldown before you can watch the video.

I suspect a lot of business owners want the CamPlus plan ($ 1.25 / month per camera). It's a very competitive price and offers unlimited video recordings and no cooldown.

Ultimately, multiple Wyze cameras will deliver 1080p video surveillance for well under $ 300 in the first year, including the cost of the equipment.

Summary

Some tasks are really difficult to define. Securing a company is not one of them.

The goals are clear and a lot is at stake. Offices, shops, restaurants and warehouses are responsible for keeping their common space safe.

It's not just about protecting assets. A company's reputation with employees and customers is at stake.

For SMBs who want a security system that they can set up themselves, SimpliSafe is a really good option. It has the full range of intrusion detection, access control and video surveillance, but is still easy to deploy and manage.

If all you need is video surveillance, Wyze is definitely the best DIY option. You can't beat the price and the cameras are surprisingly good.

Should DIY security systems not meet the challenge, Alarm.com can completely equip a company. Whether protecting one or more websites, the sleek user interface gives owners complete control over their business security.

Vivint is an excellent choice for businesses that require professional surveillance. Their equipment is really solid and their security team will video review the incident before alerting the authorities. The reduction in false positives is enormous to ensure a quick and reliable response.

When it comes to commercial solutions, Alibi Security is a really good choice. Not only do they offer first-class security solutions, they can also be seamlessly integrated into your existing stack. For companies looking to develop their security in the right direction, Alibi is just the thing.