4 IP Surveillance Myths Debunked

As a sales team, we deal with myriad misconceptions around HD and IP surveillance – from common, almost understandable myths to the downright bizarre.

These misconceptions hamper many in the industry from realising the benefits of new technology and slow down adoption.

At the advent of IP-enabled surveillance systems early marketing messages often overpromised, while the big convergence debate, with all its ‘IT speak’, left many simply confused.

#1 IP and HD surveillance is too expensive

While this might be true of early systems, IP surveillance should not be expensive and, more importantly, it should clearly offer return on investment through tangible benefits and operational efficiencies.

For instance, you save time in retrieving footage and enjoy the ability to remotely manage and monitor security from hand-held devices or conduct remote diagnostics, so no need for man-in-a-van maintenance.

HD benefits should on the other hand be a very quick win, especially for businesses facing a growing level of theft and where legacy analogue simply fails to detect suspicious behaviour.

IP surveillance also provides the flexibility to integrate with third-party systems and grow with a user’s business, thus eliminating that old rip-and-replace approach to electronic security.  For support, installers should look to their manufacturers to help them build a strong business case rather than only looking at a price tag.

#2 IP surveillance is complicated

IP surveillance is really as complicated as the system an end user or installer selects. Some vendors insist on lengthy training and require engineers to have IT and network experience as a prerequisite, so the perception – and often the reality – is complexity.

The introduction of plug-and-play solutions should offer networked surveillance that operates and installs just like analogue. Plug-and-play should eliminate IP addressing, removing complexity and nuisance for installers.

#3 IP surveillance is not secure

There is a strongly held preconception that all footage stored in an IT environment is vulnerable and that IP cameras can be accessed and controlled by anyone with an internet connection. With people using IP addresses to get live views from cameras halfway around the world, it’s no surprise there is some concern.

Network security for video surveillance starts with authentication, a username and a password. At IDIS, for example, we have a package of security protection technologies that safeguard the usability, reliability, integrity and safety of the network and video footage.

These include an encryption algorithm, while further SSL and password encryption protects data from tampering and unauthorised access, ensuring compliance with financial institute-level specifications.

#4 We need Microsoft- and Cisco-certified engineers to install IP surveillance

This goes back to the myth that IP has to mean complexity. While there’s certainly an argument that some basic knowledge of IT and networks is useful for installers, there should be no requirement for a deep understanding of networks, nor proven certifications that are expensive and time-consuming to achieve.

The latest plug-and-play systems, should totally debunk this one—installing and operating with all the simplicity and convenience of analogue, there is no steep learning curve or training costs and they should not require a certified IT engineer during implementation.

Seeing – and touching – is believing

With surveillance, seeing is believing, and we’re finding many engineers need to touch and feel new technology to overcome misconceptions.  During IFSEC International at London’s ExCel, we’ll offer engineers an opportunity to see that our DirectIP™ solution does exactly what it says on the tin.

A demo will provide engineers an opportunity to plug-and-play for themselves, setting up live full-HD streaming with a handful of HD and IP cameras with an NVR in minutes. It’s not complicated, it’s affordable and secure and will offer installers a high-performance and powerful IP and HD proposition for their customers.  So come to IDIS stand G700 for a truly myth-debunking exercise!

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