Bust Fraud Claims with Video Surveillance Equipment

Security measures don’t always have to focus on external agents. It is possible that you may be subjected to fraud claims by workers, staff, etc. There might have been cases when you would have received a notice that one of your employees is suing for injuries sustained in a “workplace accident.” If you are not able to recall any such incident, then it’s probably a false claim. Trying to reach a conclusion on this will only result in arguments and heated discussion. You can put all false claims to rest by getting the right video surveillance equipment for your office.

If a workplace mishap (especially the ones related to abusive behavior against women) occurs, then the best way to arrive at an appropriate judgment would be to review the evidence. Video footage provides irrefutable evidence in most cases and it helps the matter to get sorted out without any delay. Due to this, the management and the concerned persons have to bear fewer legal hassles and they don’t get subjected to high stress levels. Moreover, such incidents can hamper productivity which can turn out to be an expensive liability for the company.

Video surveillance systems have been known to be very helpful in such cases. Check out the video below; it shows a man from Cleveland doing his best to fake a workplace injury. Thanks to the video footage, his actions were recorded and the company did not have to bear the expenses for his fraudulent claims.

https://youtu.be/sYXWSt1QcTc

If employees are aware of the presence of video surveillance, then it is less likely that they will be dishonest and they will try their best to keep themselves in control. People often try to break the rules and gain undue advantage when they are not being monitored. Plus, if they know that there is no proper surveillance system in place, then they are confident of getting away with their deeds. As a business owner, you should not hesitate to get a video surveillance system because it will not only deter such attempts, but it will also give you a better idea about the employees’ activities at the workplace.

A video surveillance system doesn’t have to be very expensive. Get in touch with a security consultant or a video surveillance system manufacturer to understand the best security solution for your requirements. Plus, you can always modify the layout in a manner that will utilize less equipment without compromising on security. This can help you to save on costs considerably. If you don’t have a video surveillance system, then get one for your office today.

Can Surveillance Systems Make Our Society More Progressive?

Our society is under surveillance. In today’s technologically superior age, everything is being monitored to keep crime under control. It serves as an excellent deterrent to those who want to break the law. An ABC News/Washington Post poll in July 2007 found that 71 percent of Americans favor increased video surveillance. What is it about these surveillance systems that help in building a better society? Let’s find out.

Irrefutable Evidence

Thanks to surveillance systems, the accused cannot argue about their involvement in a crime. Surveillance footage and recordings provide irrefutable evidence of such actions which can be used in the court to prove their crime. Even if the action is not criminal in nature, you just cannot get yourself out of the mess.

Somebody is Always Watching Your Back

With the presence of surveillance systems in the society, somebody is always watching your back. Even if you make a move in a dark area, your movements might be getting tracked by night vision cameras or systems that can pick up activity even in low light. This is a great benefit to the society, especially in light of the rising “street crimes.”

Security Solutions are Getting Affordable and Technically Superior

With developments and breakthroughs in technology, surveillance systems have become better, accurate and affordable. Due to this, a widespread implementation of surveillance systems has become possible. Advances in processing power and software, meanwhile, are beginning to allow computers to surmount the greatest limitation of traditional surveillance—the ability of eyeballs to effectively observe the activity on dozens of video screens simultaneously. All of this makes video surveillance a highly effective security solution for the modern society.

Faster Response to Emergencies

One of the biggest advantages of surveillance systems is faster response time to emergencies. Not only is the response time improved, but also the accuracy. The authorities can pinpoint the exact location of the mishap and then mobilize accordingly to get the situation under control as fast as possible. This reduces the risk of damage to life and property.

Busting Criminals is Easier

With effective surveillance systems in place, it has become easier to bust criminals, especially those involved in heists and robberies. If they think they can rob a store by “escaping the hotspots,” then they are gravely mistaken. Security systems are set up after considering all possible loopholes so everything is secured in a better manner. The video footage allows the criminals to be convicted with proper evidence.

Keeping a Check on the Law Enforcers

Corruption is an evil that is pretty hard to get rid of in today’s society. Corrupt officials and law enforcers can add to the problem instead of becoming part of the solution. Video surveillance systems help to keep an eye on such officers who tend to take law into their own hands. The law is the same for everyone and surveillance systems help in ensuring that no one violates the law. 

How to Protect Your Home Video Surveillance System from Hackers

Unless you protect your home video surveillance system, the stored data or the surveillance capability of the system could get highly compromised. While securing your home security system, make sure that all connected devices and your home network hardware are secure.

Hackers can hack almost any electronic device as long as a single window of opportunity exists for them. You need to make sure that your security system is protected from external infiltration and hackers.

Use these effective tips to deter hacking attempts at your home video surveillance system.

Manage Passwords Smartly

You have obviously put passwords for all the devices that are connected to the video surveillance system. But if the passwords are simple, then they can be cracked easily by a hacker. Create a formidable password by using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, make sure that you change the password in random intervals to avoid anyone guessing it correctly.

Secure Your Home Network

Your home video surveillance system should be connected to a home network. Make sure that the network is absolutely secure. Unsecured Wi-Fi networks make it easy for hackers to access Wi-Fi cameras. A single flaw is enough to allow hackers to infiltrate and tamper with the surveillance system.

Check Your Logs

Checking your security cameras’ log enables you to easily review the log history to see if and when other IP addresses have accessed your IP camera feed. This will reveal any tampering or unauthorized access that may have occurred recently. The trick here is to make regular inspections to detect signs of tampering in time or else you could risk losing considerable data.

Keep the Device Firmware Updated

You need to ensure that the firmware on your device is updated with the latest version. The new updates provide better security measures and make it difficult for infiltrators to crack through. Check with the specific device manufacturer for understanding the best way to update the firmware for your device. If you are not able to get it done yourself, then consult with an expert to avoid running into problems later.

Store Video Data Safely

Home video surveillance systems will require the video data to be stored either in physical storage media or cloud storage. In either case, make sure that you keep the stored data safe. If you have optical disks or hard drives, then password protect them and keep them locked up after labelling them properly. This will help in retrieving the data if and when required.

Make Regular Inspection for Detecting Signs of Tampering

Take a good look at the casing of the cameras. Do you find anything unusual? If not, then you are out of harm’s way. If yes, then you need to inspect the system to identify possible tampering. Such an attempt can compromise the quality of the data recorded and might also leak out sensitive information to a spying hacker. 

6 Tips to Maintain Your Video Security System for Better Performance

Simply installing a video security system does not ensure adequate security. You need to make sure that the system is in perfect working order so that optimal performance may be ensured. It’s a good idea to schedule regular system maintenance. This enables you to protect your investment and keep a check on the system’s performance. After all, you wouldn’t want to find out the flaws after a mishap has occurred.

Here are 6 tips that can help you maintain the performance levels of your video security system.

Clean the Camera Lenses

This is an absolute must for every video security system. The camera lenses need to be cleaned periodically to ensure proper video capturing and surveillance. When crimes are recorded on cameras, it is important that the image be clear in order to identify the infiltrators. Look for dust, smudges, water spots and other undesirable elements on your lenses. If they are dirty, then use air to blow out the debris and then use a microfiber cloth to wipe the lens gently.

Look for Signs of Corrosion

Check the connectors for possible corrosion. If present, it can cause the connections to short out and you can lose valuable footage in the process. This is a serious situation and you would not want to be left without evidence in the event an infiltration or robbery has occurred.

Remove Dust from the DVR

You need to take a look at your DVR regularly to remove the layer of dust that might have settled on it over time. The presence of dust may hamper the performance of the DVR. It doesn’t take a lot to keep it clean. Frequently wipe your security DVR with a microfiber cloth. Unless it is an absolute emergency, never remove the DVR from its enclosure. Even if you have to remove it, make sure you call in an expert to get the job done.

Inspect the Power Supplies

Check the power supplies for signs of fault or tampering. Get all repair work done in time or else it might affect the video security system. In case a UPS is involved, make sure that the battery is fully charged and the charging is being done properly. Also, find out if any warning signs are visible. If yes, the take the required course of action to rectify it. You’ll also want to use a voltmeter to guarantee that your cameras are getting their full power requirements. Too much or too little power can cause the camera to fail faster.

Check for Signs of Tampering

Video security systems can be tampered. In fact, infiltrators usually try to tamper the system in order to get blind spots that can be used to enter a facility without getting noticed. By conducting regular inspections, you can easily find out whether the camera or the recording system’s efficiency has been compromised.

Trim the Landscaping

The camera’s view must remain unblocked to provide a clear recording. If you find that externally placed cameras are getting blocked by branches or spider webs, then get rid of it before it’s too late. Even a slight delay can compromise the quality of your video security system, thereby increasing the risk to the area being monitored.