Security Cameras Vs. Surveillance Cameras

But anyone looking to install a new camera monitoring system is soon going to be faced with choosing between security and surveillance cameras. 

Most people assume they are the same thing, but that is not the case. There are fundamental differences between the two systems which may mean one system is more suitable than the other. 

So in this blog, we’ll look in more detail at the two systems to help you make a more informed decision. 

Security cameras are installed as part of an independent system which is used to record images and video. The data is then transferred to a central recording station where the live feed can be viewed by security personnel or stored for viewing at a later date. 

The data can be transferred using WiFi or network cables and systems can be scaled from one to several hundred cameras. This makes them useful for monitoring everything from private homes to distributed education campuses and shopping centres. 

Pros

• Helps to reduce crime
• Allows live viewing of the feed
• Can be used in court as evidence
• Can be scaled to monitor almost any size of a building

 Cons

• Expensive to install (not suitable for home use)
• Easy to subvert if not installed correctly
• Limited to recording video

Surveillance cameras are installed as part of an integrated security system. They are usually linked to an alarm system where they provide motion detection, along with image and video recording. 

Several types of surveillance cameras are available including dome cameras, bullet cameras, day/night cameras, infrared cameras, motion detection cameras and PTZ (Pan Tilt & Zoom) cameras. Each can be installed using either WiFi or Network cabling. 

Surveillance cameras are usually mounted inside buildings, although they can be used to monitor outdoor spaces as well. However, unlike security cameras, they are typically used to monitor a single facility rather than multiple properties.

Pros

• Effective at reducing crime
• Easy to install
• Forms part of an integrated security system
• Can be linked to an alarm to warn of intruders
• Can also be used to monitor site access

• Costs can quickly escalate for sophisticated systems
• Can be misused by both staff and hackers. Care must be taken to ensure proper control systems are in place for the monitoring of the system

 The system you need will depend on the type of building you wish to monitor. For large distributed spaces such as education campuses, healthcare facilities and industrial estates, you will be best served by a multi-camera security camera solution. 

For single sites such as homes, retail outlets and single office buildings, where you need to monitor both access and people within buildings, a multi-camera surveillance system is more suitable. This can then be linked to an alarm and monitoring system to provide 360º protection. 

If you would like more information about the types of security systems available on the Mid North Coast, get in touch by completing the contact form online and we will get back to you.

Alternatively, give your local specialists a call, we are always happy to help. We have specialists in Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Maitland.