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Physical security has come a long way since the days of standard definition CCTV and analog-recorded tapes. Today, organizations have access to security systems that are much more advanced, easy to use, and simply effective.
At the core of modern security is the video management system, which connects various components of a security system and can be invaluable for incident prevention and response. As such, choosing the right system isn’t optional. It’s essential.
With the quality and features of video management systems varying widely, knowing what to look for can be the difference between having robust security and making an expensive mistake. With that in mind, we thought it’d be a good idea to put together a list of some of the key qualities to look for when choosing a VMS.
Scalability
You’ll want your VMS to work well on the first day of installation. But when it comes to choosing the right physical security for your business, it’s also vital to think about what your security needs might look like 3 – 5 years down the line. The best systems are fully scalable, which means they can grow alongside your business.
Of course, every VMS business will tell you that their systems scale. The key part is how they’ll scale. It’s generally best to choose systems built on open architecture, which provide much more flexibility than closed systems.
Cybersecurity Credentials
A good VMS doesn’t just have robust physical security credentials. It should also provide comprehensive cybersecurity, too. Many businesses forget that unsecured camera networks can be a major security vulnerability.
Leading video management system vendors fully understand the security threat posed by video networks and take steps to ensure that the system is fully secure. When assessing a vendor, ask them how often they update the software and their approach to encryption.
Ease of Use
A video management system should have a complex underlying infrastructure, but be easy to use by operators. All too often, businesses buy a VMS that looks good but is difficult to use under pressure. When an incident occurs, swift resolution is dependent on how easily the operator can find relevant footage.
Integration Capabilities
Video footage will tell you some things. Video footage that sits within a broader context, such as which vehicles were in the parking lot or which personnel were in the area, will tell you everything. The best VMS provides comprehensive video services that integrate with the organization’s existing systems, rather than making them buy a suite of new products/software tools.
Cloud/Onsite/Hybrid Options
There’s more than one way to deploy a video management service — and the deployment method for you will be unique to your organization. Some businesses prefer a fully on-site deployment; others prefer cloud deployment. And others yet prefer a hybrid model in which some services are on-site, and some are in the cloud. A good vendor will offer as much flexibility as possible so that you can get the deployment strategy that makes sense for your business, both now and in the future.