Growing businesses should choose a security vendor whose technology can be seamlessly scaled to meet future needs. Take these three security considerations into account when evaluating surveillance packages and vendors.
1. Ease of Adding New Hardware
Planning to open a new store, office or residential complex? More property means more security cameras, alarm systems and access control points. As you evaluate vendors, make sure new hardware can easily be added to your existing infrastructure.
Scalability is much more easily achieved when working off an IP (Internet Protocol) based security system versus a traditional one.
IP systems allow for the seamless addition of new users, locations and equipment. On the other hand, traditional systems would require rewiring and structuring of existing hardware to allow for new installations.
2. Available Network Bandwidth and Storage
In addition to security systems, your network is often responsible for ensuring reliable phone service, point of sale and inventory systems, and more. As you add more IP security hardware to your network, you’ll need to update bandwidth and storage to accommodate, so that you don’t accidentally compromise critical business systems.
Discuss with your vendor the required network changes needed to support new hardware before adding units. This might include the need to:
- Partition data storage.
- Upgrade processors.
- Restructure network architecture.
3. Data Security
As you increase the amount of data stored on your network, keep data security top of mind. A vulnerable system opens your business up to the risk of unauthorized users and data breaches. Don’t allow information (such as security surveillance and customer transactions) into the wrong hands; ask your vendors:
- How data is encrypted.
- Who maintains servers (vendor or third party).
- What certifications the data center holds—i.e. ISO (International Standards Compliance) or SSAE16 (Standard on Assurance Engagements).
- To see a case study from company of a similar industry.
For more on securing data, read our recent post,“Critical Records Security: How to Protect Physical and Electronic Files.”
How will you scale your security systems? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Image Source: Soctech via Flickr
