Tag Archive for: Video Surveillance

Why Are Doorbell Cameras Becoming More Popular?

/in , , /by


Doorbell cameras are tiny non-obstructive cameras that are fixed near the entrance of your house. These cameras work as a major security measure and a doorbell at the same time. But with the rise in automation, the doorbell has also added a set of new features like motion-sensing, two-way communications and viewing live footage on your phone or laptop.


These kinds of doorbell cameras have become really popular for home security. Many times, we watch popular news stories on people’s homes getting robbed and the footage caught by the doorbell camera helps the police investigate the situation. We also come across stories where delivery people mishandle delivery packages and end up damaging the content inside. With the smart doorbell, you can track how people behave and interact with your home when you are not there.


Keeping your family and home safe is the top priority of most of the people today. In this article we will talk about why doorbell cameras are getting so much attention today:


1. Offers two-way communication


Many doorbell cameras offer features like two-way communication. You can easily communicate with anyone who rings your doorbell, through the speaker sitting from any corner of your house. Great home security systems make life easier. For instance, if you are not at home and someone shows up, you can always speak through the phone and convey the message to the guest. Confusing visitors by using this feature also prevents anyone from messing with your home, even when you are not physically present.


2. Equipped with night vision


The cover of night is a robber’s paradise. This is when burglars and intruders are most likely to attack homes. During times like these, it is always advisable not to open the door for every person that knocks on your door at this time. Most of these doorbell cameras are equipped with night vision features and infrared. This lets your home security system survey around your home, as you rest peacefully.


3. Gives you the advantage of screening every visitor


The main reason why doorbell cameras are actually getting all the hype today is because it allows you to screen any visitor that arrives at your doorstep. Home alarm systems come with motion-detecting sensors and other features that give you an update on who is coming to your door. In this manner, you can never miss out on friends, family, and unexpected visitors dropping by your house every now and then. 

 


Conclusion


Doorbells with cameras are the first step you can take to a safer and more sophisticated life. With Boyd & Associates watching your back, doorbells have never been so convenient. These are not that expensive per se, but one can always invest in a legitimate smart doorbell with a camera. At the end of the day, you, your family and your home are all safer off with the doorbell camera. Call Boyd & Associates today and ask about our new promotions!

Do Home Surveillance Cameras Really Deter Crime?

/in , /by

Home surveillance cameras can deter crime, but no system is 100% failproof. A thief may still steal from your home if they don’t notice the camera or see it there but take the risk anyway. But home security cameras represent a multi-billion-dollar industry and the stats show why.

An estimated 1,401,840 home burglaries occurred in 2017, based on data in the 2017 FBI Uniform Crime Report.

There is a great deal of evidence that security cameras deter burglars. Some of the reports that indicate they do include:

  • University of North Carolina’s Department of Justice and Criminology: Of a pool of convicted burglars, 60% said they would start by looking for surveillance cameras; 40% said they’d find another target if cameras were present.

 

  • Electronic Security Association: Data collected from burglars suggest they’d abandon a break-in attempt if there were outdoor cameras, alarms, signs for alarms, or dogs inside a home, among other signs of security at a target property.

 

  • American Management Association: Its Workplace Monitoring and Surveillance report revealed that 82% of managers use some form of electronic monitoring, including security cameras, to protect the workplace against external and internal threats.

How to Boost the Effectiveness of Home Surveillance Cameras

To increase its effectiveness, a security camera must be properly set up. There are things you can do to decrease security risks or if you had a break-in and a surveillance camera was already installed in your home. First, enable push notifications, so you’ll receive instant alerts of any security issue. Also, check if your security system has motion detection recording and make sure this feature is working. Adjusting the sensitivity of motion sensing systems can boost your security as well.

Check the locations of your home surveillance cameras. There should be cameras at every main entrance and near windows or back doors a burglar might use to enter.

Home Surveillance Cameras Work

Law enforcement professionals agree that security cameras are a great way to deter crime. They can provide direct evidence of burglaries, vandalism, and armed robberies as well as employee theft, not to mention more serious offenses like murder. Cameras can deter both external and internal crime, so are effective whether installed outside a building or, for example, inside offices and building common areas.

Modern security camera systems can be connected to a network. If someone breaks into your home and you are away, you can receive an alert on your smartphone from the connected camera. You’ll also have footage of the event, which provides direct evidence of the incident that police can use.

In addition to crime deterrence and the evidence they provide, home surveillance cameras have other benefits. You may get a discount from an insurance company or homeowner’s association by installing one. A camera can also help prevent the theft of packages delivered to your front door. If you can prove theft occurred, you can be more likely to receive a refund or replacement for the stolen item.

Improve Home Security with Boyd & Associates

Video surveillance and other security solutions are available from Boyd & Associates. Our advanced systems include video analytics software that provides automatic alerts. Records of video footage can be searched, while live video can be seen and managed remotely from a smartphone, tablet, or web browser. For improved home security, we also provide advanced burglar alarm systems, alarm monitoring, and patrol and security services. To learn more about our solutions, call us at 805-321-6664.

5 Tips for Planning Your Security Budget

/in , , /by

Businesses face all kinds of security risks. Still, security planning can strain an already strapped budget, leading many companies to cut costs starting with their security infrastructure. Planning your security budget appropriately can avoid this; regardless of the percentage of your budget that goes towards security, it is how you allocate your resources that matter most.

 

  1. Perform a Risk Assessment

Evaluate the risks to your business, its data, and facilities. Whether you’re looking at technology assets or the physical security of your office, it’s important to realize just what types of security threats you need to protect your business from. Also, look at the resources you have available. Is your office or facility in a vulnerable location? Are your entrances properly guarded? What types of incidents have occurred in the past, and is your company located in an area prone to specific threats?

 

  1. Choose the Right Security System for Your Business

Once you identify how your business needs to be protected, you can determine the type of security system required and allocate the budget for it. But you need to consider factors such as who has access to your building, whether there are more effective ways to monitor your staff, and if indoor or outdoor security (or both) are needed. Whether your business has one location or is distributed across multiple sites can determine the best security solution as well. You can also enlist a reputable security systems provider to perform an on-site assessment and make suitable recommendations.

 

  1. Encourage a Culture that Embraces Security

Getting everyone involved can improve security from within. This means providing awareness training to employees and rewarding those who comply with your company’s security program, such as reporting incidents in a timely manner. A study by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) found investing in a security culture helps improve company reputation and trust among customers. Increased revenue was another effect observed, so you can see how planning your security budget can go a long way for your business.

 

  1. Hire and Train Security Professionals

Finding, hiring, and training the right people can help you get more out of your security budget. It also helps to train people in your organization. Recruiting your existing employees saves time; plus, they’re already knowledgeable about your business and likely its security needs. You might find someone who didn’t consider a security career before, but who has the right skills.

 

  1. Invest in Business Security Services

If your building’s security needs improvement, an outside security provider may be the best place to look. They can provide an on-site assessment and make recommendations for securing your facility. Building security assets such as video surveillance, alarms, patrols, and even remote monitoring can be provided at a cost that fits your budget.

Video surveillance is the leading trend in security because it now includes high-definition video, audio, and playback that can be accessed remotely. However, there are many types of security cameras and working with a provider can help select one that meets your business’s needs.

Trust Boyd & Associates for Your Security Needs

We are leading experts in video surveillance, intrusion detection, and access control systems. Patrol services are available and provided by experienced security officers. Trusted for business and home security and automation, Boyd & Associates can work with you to choose the right security assets and plan your security budget. Our specialty is total security, enabled by industry-leading expertise and the latest technologies. To learn more, call 888-919-3326.

Why You Need To Register Your CCTV with the Police

/in /by

No, this isn’t so police can view the images from the cameras whenever they want. It’s so they can have a record of where cameras are and what they are viewing so that if there is ever a need, they can request footage to aid in the investigation.

Boyd & Associates, police departments all around California and our customers are partnering to catch and even deter criminals in a way that never existed in the old days.

A few months ago, there was a stabbing outside a commercial building where we had installed HD cameras and a NVR (network video recorder). The business had registered the system with the local police department. When detectives came calling, they knew that there were cameras covering the area. A perfect view of the license plate on the getaway car allowed the police to find the assailant.

Ask your local police department if they have a program. Here is what some departments are saying.

“Video surveillance is one of the best methods to apprehend criminals and convict suspects in the act of committing a crime. Installing video surveillance is a great example of community-police partnerships and is highly valued as a police agency serving our community.”

About Boyd & Associates

Boyd & Associates is committed to partnerships with local police departments. That commitment, coupled with our expertise, community involvement and the service we provide means total security.