CCTV cameras are a controversial topic these days with privacy issues always looming on the horizon. But controversial as it may be, CCTV cameras have become a necessary requirement in every business big or small. Though a necessary requirement for all business it is especially important for a small business where investment is small and risks are high. Small businesses are always at risk due to their unorganized process and small systems which excludes them from the corporatized systems of big firms or business.

Small business usually hires teenager students or are located in a surrounding which is not business friendly resulting in an onslaught of theft, burglary, and other crimes.  So, throughout commercial properly or small-scale business property it’s important to install integrated security solution. And this is where small business security cameras play a crucial role in running a business.

The most effective way to do this is to install cameras within key areas of the office or retail store.  Although these systems are installed as a precautionary measure against thieves and buglers, they also work to increase the productivity of the employees. The ‘Big Brother’ situation as some would call it prevents employees from wondering about during office hours and inculcates work ethics. Cameras can be installed in the middle of the room or at the corners. Though the image they pick up depends on the quality and angle of the camera. The sheer knowledge of knowing that cameras are installed which can clearly depict their face and appearance keeping watch over them can discourage would be offenders or criminals from mischief.

Benefits of installing CCTV cameras

The following are the reasons for installing CCTV cameras and the benefits of installing them:

1. Avoid internal and external theft

Every business owner realizes that they have to protect themselves and their business from unnecessary damage from both inside and outside factors; inside being employee theft and external ranging from burglary, thieves or irritant neighbors. More than 33% of all business goes bankrupt due to employee theft and the rest incur huge losses.

In such cases having CCTV surveillance eliminates your blind spot, watches over employees, and stamps out employee theft or property damage before it ever happens.

2. Crime prevention

CCTV cameras function as the perfect deterrents against criminals, as buglers are less likely to break into a place where they might get caught on camera. This is an important factor for small business, which is seen as the easiest targets by such bandits looking for opportunity.  Security services in such cases take extra care and try to cover black and venerable spots to give 100% twenty-four hours security.

3. Evidence collection

Although the CCTV camera deters most criminals, some take the chance and end up being caught on camera. You can find a lot of such footage on Google. Apart from clogging up the internet with their mischief, CCTV footage like these also serves as a great tool for evidence gathering and lead extraction. These tapes serve as solid evidence and help in solving crimes by giving insight into the criminals’ technique.

4. Staff security

Safeguarding your employees is as important as protecting your asset. CCTV encourages good behavior and helps avoid any complication due to employee violence or outside intruders. For example, nearly 17 percent of all fatal injuries in the US, in 2011 were due to workplace violence i.e.  780 fatal work injuries per year.

5. Private and sensitive area surveillance

Every business has areas which have special or sensitive information which you don’t want everyone accessing; for banks, it’s their locker rooms, for chef’s their recipe locker, for other small business -cash register. The installation of CCTV cameras in such location discourages anyone from entering these locations and protects your secret.

Trade secrets are an important part of the business, it is what sets them apart from their competition and to have that leaked can prove detrimental to the organization whether it’s big or small.

6. Customer satisfaction ensurance

A satisfied customer is a happy customer, and a happy customer means good business. But unfortunately, you cannot be there all the time to watch over your employees. CCTV camera enables you to keep watch remotely and if this is not possible, you can watch recorded tapes to see performance and asses’ merits.

This helps you in taking necessary step and increased service quality.

7. Protection against false liability lawsuits

According to realist perspective, people are always trying to take advantage of others.  This is most common with false lawsuits. CCTV footage helps you prove your viewpoint and avoid such claims. However, in some cases, lawyers advise their clients to wait 4-6 months before filing claims. This is done because most surveillance footage is stored for about 4-6 months after which it is destroyed along with the evidence against them. So it is smart business to have lifetime storage of CCTV footage so that you can use it whenever necessary.

8. Curb sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a very real threat in the workplace and its prohibition by the law does little to prevent it. CCTV cameras function as the ‘eye in the sky’ and nip would be offenders before sprouting. It also gives female employees a sense of security and safety.

Apart from the obvious security benefits, there are also economic benefits. CCTV security systems are designed to last a lifetime, so small business can easily find CCTV systems that fit their budget. In this day and age, small business security cameras are a necessary evil we cannot do without.