Security: network and video surveillance

Security has two parts: digital (protecting the network) and physical (watching the site). In modern systems the two are closely linked, because IP cameras are network devices too.

Protecting the network

• Closing unnecessary external access with a firewall.
• Dividing the network into parts: cameras, guests and staff computers in separate segments.
• Changing default passwords: factory passwords on cameras and routers are the most attacked weakness.
• Updating software regularly.

How a video surveillance system works

IP cameras send video over the network to an NVR (Network Video Recorder). The NVR stores the video on its internal disk and manages several cameras at once. NVRs differ by channel count: there are 4, 8, 16 and 64-channel models, meaning that many cameras can be connected. An NVR or switch with PoE both powers the camera and carries the video, so only one cable is needed per camera.

For places without mains electricity (open areas, roadsides, construction sites) there are also solar-powered systems. Our catalogue includes such solutions from the VIGI series.

What to look at when choosing a camera

• Image quality (for example 2 MP or 4 MP) and night-vision range.
• Where it will be installed: indoor or outdoor (the dust and rain protection class).
• Recording period: the disk capacity depends on the number of cameras and the image quality.
• If you need to view recordings remotely, the network and app capabilities.