The Different Types of CCTV Camera Systems for Businesses

In this article, we cover the different types of CCTV camera systems for businesses. As experts in business security, we’ve written this article as a helpful guide for any business researching their CCTV and security system options.

Here at Safeguard Systems, we’ve been designing and installing a range of commercial security camera systems for over six years.

In fact, the team has around 40 years of experience in the security industry, so we are well versed to produce this helpful article.

What are the different types of CCTV systems for businesses?

When it comes to protecting a business, there are four main types of CCTV we recommend.

The types of business CCTV systems we design and install are:

• CCTV monitoring systems
• Ultra HD CCTV systems
• IP CCTV systems
• Perimeter surveillance system

What are the best CCTV camera brands for businesses?

At Safeguard Systems we work with a network of hand-picked CCTV manufacturers and brands.

• Hikvision
• Hanwha (Wisenet)
• Avigilon
• Axis Communication

Offering a range of systems to cater for various budgets, and specific security objectives, these brands

Let’s get started on our guide to the different types of commercial CCTV systems.

Different types of CCTV systems: CCTV monitoring 

For businesses where the risk of security threats are high, and the value of the assets they are looking to protect, we fully recommend CCTV monitoring.

With remote CCTV monitoring, your security cameras are monitored 24/7 by a team of security professionals.

CCTV monitoring, helps to improve the effectiveness of a businesses CCTV systems as more threats can be spotted and dealt with.

In many cases, CCTV monitoring can reduce the cost of security by up to 80%.

Why choose CCTV monitoring for your business?

Many businesses choose to monitor their CCTV systems in-house.

This decision is often reflective of the security risks the business faces, and the likelihood of a crime being committed.

These businesses often use CCTV as a means to monitor their staff, car parks and other areas of their business.

Additionally, businesses with an on-site security team often choose to monitor their CCTV internally as they have the resources to do so.

Certain businesses operate in environments, where the risk of security threats is high, as is the value of the asset they are looking to protect.

This could be a car dealership, solar farm, construction site, large industrial business and more.

These businesses are often targeted by sophisticated criminals focused on stealing plant machinery, tools, valuable equipment, cars and more.

Additionally, if they have an in-house security team, the cost of security will be high. Security guards aren’t cheap.

With an effective CCTV monitoring system, you can improve security by spotting more threats.

And, in many cases, a business can save a vast amount of money on the cost of security, as the technology can replace the need for internal security guards.

How does CCTV monitoring work?

Here’s a quick overview of how CCTV monitoring works:

• Your CCTV system is installed in the usual way
• Your CCTV footage is broadcast via the internet to a remote monitoring station. In our industry, the technical terminology is an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)
• If the CCTV monitoring systems picks up a potential threat, an event is logged and sent to the monitoring station
• Your dedicated security professional immediately reviews the footage, and If a threat is spotted, the appropriate action is taken and either the keyholder or the relevant authorities are contacted

What are the benefits of CCTV monitoring?

There are many benefits of CCTV monitoring including:

• Reducing the impact of crime
• Deterring criminals
• Saving money on the cost of security
• Spotting more security threats

CCTV monitoring – related reading

We’ve recently published a range of articles on this topic. If you’re looking to learn more, these articles are a fantastic place to start:

• The benefits and advantages of CCTV monitoring
• CCTV monitoring FAQs
• What is CCTV monitoring and how does it work?

Different types of CCTV systems: IP network CCTV 

IP CCTV systems are now the default choice for many businesses looking to invest in a robust security camera system.

Unlike analog-based HD systems, IP CCTV systems are integrated within a businesses current IP infrastructure.

What does this mean?

It means your CCTV system is installed and powered through your internet connection.

The technical term is Power over Ethernet (PoE).

IP CCTV systems are also referred to as network cameras.

The benefits of IP CCTV systems are vast and are covered below

Why choose IP CCTV for your business?

Here are a few reasons why IP CCTV systems are a solid choice for many businesses:

• IP CCTV offers improved footage quality over old fashioned, traditional analogue CCTV systems
• Network security cameras can also deliver cost savings by using the current IT infrastructure in place – no need for additional power supply, and easier installation
• IP CCTV cameras cover a greater area than analog security cameras
• They offer more powerful search functions – fantastic when reviewing footage and providing evidence in criminal prosecutions
• These systems offer superior expansion opportunities through the current IP network

What are the benefits of IP CCTV systems?

The main benefits and advantages of IP CCTV systems are

• Resolution
• Analytics
• Security
• Ease of installation
• Coverage

Read more: The Benefits of IP CCTV systems.

IP CCTV cameras

Here at Safeguard, we work with a range of CCTV camera brands. They are:

• Hikvision
• Hanwha (Wisenet)
• Avigilon
• Axis

Hikvision IP Cameras

Hikvision offers a portfolio of caner systems ideally suited to:

• Small businesses looking for an entry-level professional CCTV system
• Owner-managed businesses looking for cost-effective system
• Enterprise businesses looking for a cost-effective systems

Hikvision’s camera range covers:

• Bullet
• Turret
• PTZ
• Thermal
• ANPR
• Dome

Find out more: Hikvision IP CCTV

Hanwha (Wisenet) IP cameras

Hanwha, operating under the Wisenet brand, offers a suite of high-performance IP security cameras.

Hanwha’s CCTV cameras are ideally suited to:

• SMEs looking for a robust CCTV system where security is pf paramount importance to daily operations.
• Enterprise businesses looking for a cost-effective CCTV option with budget in mind

The Hanwha (Wisenet) surveillance camera range covers:

• Bullet
• PTZ
• Thermal
• Dome
• Corner
• Fisheye

Find out more: Hanwha CCTV

Avigilon IP Suveillance Cameras

Avigilon offers a suite of stylishly designed, high-performance video surveillance cameras.

Avigilon’s surveillance cameras are ideally suited to:

• SMEs looking for a high-performing surveillance camera system in setting where security is critical to business operations
• Enterprise businesses looking for a premium system, aligned to their corporate objectives

The Avigilon surveillance camera range covers:

• Bullet
• PTZ
• Thermal
• Dome
• Corner
• Fisheye
• ANPR (LCP)

Find out more: Avigilon CCTV Surveillance

Axis IP CCTV cameras

Axis offers a range of, premium, network video surveillance cameras.

Axis’s network surveillance cameras are ideally suited to:

• SMEs looking for a high-performing surveillance camera system in a setting where security is critical to business operations
• Enterprise businesses looking for a premium system, aligned to their corporate objectives

The Axis network surveillance camera range covers:

• Bullet
• PTZ
• Thermal
• Dome
• Corner
• Fisheye

Find out more: Axis network CCTV

Here are a small selection of Axis network cameras:

IP CCTV – related reading

Here are a couple of articles covering the topic of IP and business cctv systems:

What are the benefits of business CCTV systems?

5 benefits & advantages of IP CCTV systems

Different types of CCTV systems: Ultra-HD CCTV systems

If you are a business looking for a robust security camera system offering fantastic image quality, Ultra-HD CCTV systems are a solid choice.

An investment in an Ultra HD CCTV provides your staff, students, site visitors, patients, customers and yourself with security for your business and peace of mind.

Why choose Ultra HD CCTV for your business?

Businesses often invest in HD CCTV systems to:

• Catch and deter criminals – the most common form of crime a business suffers is vandalism, petty theft and criminal damage
• Protect staff – businesses often install CCTV cameras providing coverage of their car parks to give staff peace of mind when they leave the office after dark.
• Reduce workplace theft and anti-social behaviour – CCTV is an effective tool for internal monitoring purposes. The footage from a CCTV system can be used to solve internal disputes, and resolve instances of theft and more

Ultra HD CCTV cameras

Here at Safeguard Systems we work with a range of CCTV manufacturer partners.

One of these brands is Hikvision.

Hikvision Turbo HD Cameras

Hikvision’s suite of Turbo HD CCTV surveillance cameras are an effective solution for small and owner-managed businesses seeking to detect, deter and manage a range of security threats.

Find out more: Hikvision Turbo HD CCTV cameras

Related reading

Here are a few helpful, informative articles we’ve written around business CCTV.

If you are currently researching your options, you will find these articles helpful.

5 Reasons to Invest in Commercial CCTV Systems

Why Businesses Should AVOID Cheap CCTV Systems

Different types of CCTV systems: Perimeter Surveillance Systems

For businesses operating across vast sites, with assets to secure and protect, our perimeter security systems will deliver on most security objectives.

Sites requiring perimeter security include:

• Solar farms
• Construction sites
• Car dealerships
• Warehouses
• Schools
• Industrial units

Criminals target these sites, often in an organised fashion, therefore a sophisticated perimeter security system is required.

What are the components of an effective perimeter surveillance system?

Perimeter CCTV systems require expert design and installation.

Often protecting millions of pounds in revenue, these systems need to be high-performing and designed to meet a range of critical security objectives.

Perimeter surveillance systems include:

• Thermal CCTV cameras
• AI-driven analytics
• IR illuminators
• IR beams and sensors
• PIDs

Recommended perimeter surveillance cameras

At Safeguard Systems we work with a network of hand-picked CCTV manufacturers and brands.

• Hikvision
• Hanwha (Wisenet)
• Avigilon
• Axis Communication

Here are some links to relevant perimeter surveillance cameras by these CCTV brands:

Hikvision thermal cameras

Hanwha PTZ cameras

Avigilon thermal cameras

Axis PTZ cameras

Below are a small range of suitable PTZ and thermal cameras for perimeter surveillance systems:

Perimeter security and surveillance related reading

Here are a couple of articles we have published on the topic of perimeter surveillance:

The different types of perimeter security

A guide to CCTV monitoring & perimeter protection for solar farms

CCTV Case Studies:

Over the years we’ve helped countless businesses improve their all-round security.

Here are a few case studies for CCTV & video surveillance systems we’ve installed:

Business CCTV & video surveillance case study: Industrial CCTV

Remote CCTV monitoring case study: Solar farm security

Video surveillance & alarm case study: Logistics security system

Commercial CCTV case study: CCTV system for a farm