Commercial properties like offices and shops are popular targets for burglars because they often contain a lot of expensive items. From computers to clothing and jewellery, burglars can make a quick grab for a few items in commercial spaces and walk away with thousands of pounds worth of loot. Because commercial properties are so vulnerable, it's paramount that you install a security system and CCTV cameras. These devices can help catch perpetrators in the act (if the worst should happen) but more often than not, they prevent burglary attempts altogether. 

How can you benefit from a commercial CCTV system?

If you're not 100% sold on the idea of installing CCTV at your commercial property, perhaps we can change your mind by explaining the different benefits of commercial CCTV systems. Commercial CCTV systems:

• Deter criminals
• Protect customers and employees
• Protect members of the public outside your premises

Many criminals will see that a commercial property has a CCTV system in place and will target somewhere more vulnerable instead. After all, why would they risk getting caught if there's an easier option elsewhere? If a break-in does occur, CCTV cameras will capture the incident and the faces of the criminals. This can be especially helpful evidence to have on hand when you're trying to pursue your case with the police. 

Read More: Can CCTV Footage Be Used as Evidence?

How can IDS Security help me?

Here at IDS Security, we've been installing commercial security systems for years. We understand that every commercial property is different, so rather than supplying a one size fits all solution, we tailor each CCTV system to suit you. You can combine a commercial CCTV system with a range of other systems to provide complete security for your business. Here are a few other systems we supply:

• Fire Alarms
• Intruder Alarms
• Access Control Systems
• Security Barriers

To start your commercial security journey, get in touch with IDS Security now! You can call us on 029 20 753 251, email us at admin@ids-securityltd.co.uk or submit an enquiry form here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Commercial Security Systems >            CCTV Systems >

 Read More:

- CCTV Systems for Small Businesses

- Where's the Best Place to Put CCTV Cameras?

- Solar Powered CCTV Systems

Making your property environmentally friendly won't happen overnight, it's achieved by implementing greener options in as many areas as possible. Switching off lights when you're not using them, ditching single-use plastics and recycling are great places to start, but they're not the only changes you can make. Security systems can use a lot of electricity, after all, they need to be switched on 24/7 if they're going to be effective! Today we're taking a look at solar-powered CCTV systems that are designed to be better for the environment than their traditional, mains-powered counterparts.

What does a solar-powered CCTV system include?

When you purchase a solar-powered CCTV system, you can expect to receive:

• 4G CCTV cameras
• Solar panel
• Battery/power bank
• Charging cable
• Mounting brackets

A solar-powered CCTV kit will come with everything you need to set up your solar-powered CCTV system. Most solar-powered CCTV cameras have large, sustainable batteries that can power the CCTV cameras even on cloudy days. They reserve up to 2 months of battery life and recharge whenever the sun peeps through the clouds. All of the equipment is weather-resistant, meaning you shouldn't have any problems when it rains or snows.

Most solar-powered CCTV cameras come with 4G capabilities, meaning they can connect to your phone or monitoring device using a mobile network. This is perfect because it means you don't have to rely on a wifi connection.

Benefits of a solar-powered CCTV system

• Can be installed anywhere

One of the biggest limitations with traditional CCTV cameras is that they need to be plugged into the main powers supply in order to work. This generally involves running cables from your property to the CCTV cameras. Of course, there's only so far that most wiring will stretch, which limits the number of places you can install your CCTV cameras.

In contrast, solar-powered CCTV cameras can be installed anywhere because the cameras and power supply are installed in the same place. Since you don't need wires running from your property to the CCTV system, you can install solar-powered CCTV cameras just about anywhere.

• Won't be affected by power cuts

People often worry that their CCTV cameras won't work in the event of a power cut. Nowadays, most CCTV camera systems come with a back-up battery, so this isn't a huge concern - however, older CCTV systems still rely solely on their mains supply. When a power cut occurs, your CCTV system might stop working or worse yet, you might not be able to monitor your cameras because they can't connect to the wifi.

With a solar-powered CCTV camera system, you can be confident that it will work even during a power outage. The onboard battery stores plenty of battery life & the 4G sim card will allow you to monitor your cameras using your mobile phone - even when the wifi is down!

Read More: Will my security system work during a power cut?

• Environmentally-friendly option

Finally, we can't ignore the fact that solar-powered CCTV cameras are the most environmentally friendly CCTV option. When integrated into your security system (at home or in the office) you know you're doing your bit to create a greener, cleaner planet. It's a great feeling to know you're saving the planet and keeping your property safe at the same time.

Here at IDS Security, we create bespoke security systems for homes and offices alike. If you'd like to install environmentally-friendly solar-powered CCTV cameras as part of your system, be sure to let our team know! We'll be able to find the perfect solar-powered CCTV cameras for your premises.

CCTV Systems   Free Security Survey

Nowadays, CCTV cameras are everywhere. Whether they're on homes protecting families or on commercial premises protecting businesses, CCTV cameras provide security and surveillance that keeps us and our belongings safe and sound at all times. 

One of CCTV's main objectives is to prevent crimes from occurring; however, it can also be used to provide stone-cold evidence if ever a crime was to occur at your home or business. 

Whilst CCTV is usually installed as a means of preventing criminal activity, CCTV can also be used for evidence to bring about a successful prosecution. But are there any requirements before CCTV can be used in court? And is CCTV alone enough to prosecute?

Find out below!

Over the last few years, the digital world has been dominated by talk of personal data and GDPR. If you're not aware of what exactly GDPR means, it stands for general data protection regulation. GDPR became law in May 2018 and has modernised the laws that protect the personal information of individuals. 

But what exactly counts as 'personal information'? Is CCTV footage personal data? What do companies have to do to be compliant when it comes to video surveillance? 

In this blog, we try to answer all of these questions, looking at how GDPR impacts the use of CCTV for businesses and the measures that must be taken in order to become GDPR-compliant. 

CCTV systems are a common part of everyday life. They can be seen in the streets, outside people's homes and in most shops and supermarkets. They keep a watchful eye over us and make it easy to identify perpetrators when a crime has been committed. 

As with all modern technologies, there was a time when our society existed without CCTV (can you imagine!) In fact, the CCTV camera as we know it has only really existed for the last 80-100 years. Let's delve into the history of CCTV to see where it originated and what it was used for. 

The first mechanical CCTV system

The first recorded CCTV system was created by the famous Russian inventor, Léon Theremin in 1927. The system was, as you can imagine, fairly simple and consisted of a manually-operated camera that sent images through a wireless shortwave transmitter and receiver, with a resolution of only 100 lines. 

This CCTV system was quickly recognised as something that could prove very useful to the Russian state and was shown to Joseph Stalin, Semyon Budyonny and Sergo Ordzhonikidze. Once they saw its potential, they requested that this rudimentary CCTV system be installed around the courtyard of the Moscow Kremlin so that security could monitor visitors.

CCTV in WW2

Another example of early CCTV was used by Germany to observe the launch of V-2 rockets in 1942. This CCTV system was created by an electrical engineer called Walter Bruch who was one of the pioneers of German television. This CCTV system was very successful and got people thinking about different ways this technology could be used. 

Commercial CCTV

Commercial CCTV systems didn't hit the market in the United States until 1949. The earliest known commercial CCTV system was called Vericon. Sadly, few records remain to explain what Vericon was, how it worked, or what it was used for. We do know that it was advertised as 'not requiring a government permit' which made it easily accessible to home and business owners for the first time. 

CCTV in the streets

CCTV was being sold commercially, so you'd think it would've exploded onto our streets and into public areas... but this wasn't really the case. The MET trialled a CCTV system in the streets in July 1960 to oversee the arrival of the Thai royal family. Throughout the 60s, different cities across the country including Leeds and Liverpool installed CCTV systems to see if they could make public spaces safer. These trials showed that the idea of having CCTV systems everywhere at the time was unrealistic because it would cost too much to wire it in. 

Widespread CCTV

During the 70s and 80s, CCTV became cheaper and easier to install, so high-risk establishments like shopping stores and banks began to use them. Later, in the 1980s, local authorities began installing CCTV on roads and in streets. Nowadays, CCTV can be found just about everywhere!

READ MORE: How Does CCTV Work?

IDS Security

Here at IDS Security, we have been installing CCTV systems for more than twenty years! We use the most modern technologies on the market and we're specialists in the design, installation and maintenance of bespoke CCTV systems. We work with home and business owners to keep their properties safe. Learn more about our CCTV Systems here:

CCTV Systems >

If you have any questions about our CCTV systems or any of the other security systems we offer, give us a call on 029 20 753 251.