Going ‘mobile’ is the way forward, especially with your security. We explore the world of mobile surveillance cameras, their key benefits, and who should use them
From perimeter fencing and access control measures to security guards and surveillance cameras, the world of security is constantly developing to meet the demands of various industries.
However, for many industries, the traditional methods are no longer fit for purpose due to their lack of flexibility, increased costs, and risk for errors.
Hence why most are now going ‘mobile’ with their security solutions. We explore what makes surveillance cameras truly mobile, their key benefits, and who should use them.
What is a Mobile Surveillance Camera?
A mobile surveillance camera is a portable camera system that can be deployed alone or onto a Trailer to provide temporary security or a more flexible solution for those businesses with changing needs.
Their design means they require no fixed location and work independently to any mains power or internet, allowing them to be moved across different locations.
Due to this, mobile surveillance cameras have become extremely popular over recent years.
To break down the description further into its individual components, a mobile video surveillance camera is distinguished by:
- Cellular-based video transmission
- Remote access to live and recorded video
- An integrated hard drive
- Quick and easy installation
- Full portability
Portable cameras allow Law Enforcement agencies to respond dynamically to emerging surveillance requirements, construction jobsite managers to move the cameras as their project develops, and parking lot owners to move the cameras to the most vulnerable spots where video coverage is required.
Typically, they will be mounted onto poles and buildings, or as mentioned onto Surveillance Trailers to provide even more flexibility on top of what they already offer.
How do Mobile Surveillance Cameras Work?
Mobile surveillance cameras utilize a cellular connection to transmit video and a SIM card to store this video onto.
Compared to the traditional systems that use WiFi or a wired connection, these features allow for wireless security, making them the perfect solution for locations without power or internet.
Essentially, similar to how your cell phone works, the cameras will connect to a cellular network to transmit live video footage and alerts, in order to record events and/or monitor your site for any threats.
Although most mobile surveillance cameras will work in a similar way, features will vary from one manufacturer to the next.
Key Features of Mobile Surveillance Cameras
In a saturated world of mobile surveillance cameras, there are key features to look out for to ensure your site or business receives maximized security.
Some will feature across most models of camera, however, others may only appear with certain manufacturers, so it’s important for you to research security companies carefully before going ahead with any investment.
Below outlines these features in more detail:
High-Quality Video For Evidential Support
Before investing in any mobile surveillance systems, you need to ensure you have high-quality video transmission as this is crucial for both reviewing and evidential purposes.
Poor quality video could mean that you cannot identify the intruders or criminals involved in a near-incident or crime, and that footage may not be admissible in a court of law.
Therefore, you need to ensure any mobile surveillance cameras you choose are fitted with advanced capabilities such as IR HD imagery, PTZ controls, and zoom-in abilities.
This provides you with the best chance of accurate identification and monitoring, capturing crystal-clear imagery of events that can be reviewed easily and used in any criminal proceedings later on.
Remote Access From Any Device
For some advanced mobile surveillance cameras, they will offer remote access to you as users, so that you can monitor and review live and recorded footage from the site.
This is beneficial as it allows you to check in on your site wherever you are, on any device and keep track of any near-incidents or crimes that take place.
Providing you with complete control and overview of your site or business, mobile surveillance cameras with this feature will not only provide you with peace of mind, but also help mold your security plan to better your site’s safety.
With remote access, this can also include the use of monitoring centers with certain manufacturers.
This means that a monitoring center of trained security professionals will keep watch your live video feed, assess any threats, and respond appropriately to them at that moment.
The responses provided will vary from one manufacturer to the next, however, most importantly this feature aims to provide proactive and reactive response with your security.
So, rather than working retrospectively, your mobile surveillance cameras could be working to prevent crime from happening in the first place or intervening in that moment instead
Visual and Audio Deterrent Features
Having mobile surveillance cameras that simply record events is no longer enough, where possible your system should have visual and audio deterrents in place to prevent any intruders from entering your site.
However, mobile surveillance cameras alone don’t tend to offer this.
That’s why if you’re looking for maximized security, you should consider a mobile Surveillance Trailer as with this you receive the high-quality cameras, as well as the visual and audio deterrent features required to prevent crime.
Standing up to 20 feet tall, our Surveillance Trailers create a strong security presence that is unmistakable to any intruders.
If a trigger is alerted, the monitoring center can deploy additional audio deterrents including, sirens and live voice-down audio challenges.
Compared to other alternatives like perimeter fencing, mobile Surveillance Trailers monitor and deter, which most security offerings are unable to do.
Advanced Storage Capability
Latency in video can have catastrophic consequences such as, capturing threats late or missing key identification information.
That’s why any mobile surveillance cameras you invest in should have good storage capabilities to avoid errors such as this from taking place.
We utilize edge storage, so the relationship between live video and remote access is managed directly between our software and the device itself. This 1-2-1 relationship results in zero latency, and a truly live video feed rather than delayed clips via the cloud.
This is vital for reviewing and evidential purposes, and could be the only lifeline you have in prosecuting those involved if an incident does take place.
Multiple Powering Options
No pole? No power? No problem! Mobile surveillance cameras have multiple powering options, so you’re able to select the best type of system for your business and its security needs.
Many mobile surveillance cameras will be fitted onto portable systems such as Surveillance Trailers as this means they can be moved around a project, site, or property by yourself, rather than requiring an engineer.
With these types of systems, there are several benefits of utilizing Surveillance Trailers over other alternative options, most importantly being the fact they provide advanced flexibility without any drop in quality.
Video Analytics For Accurate Threat Detection
Not available with all mobile surveillance cameras, those using video analytics can help increase accuracy with threat detection and therefore, improve the crime response you are provided with.
Our aim is to provide best-in-class service and part of this is to ensure there are minimal false alarms and better threat detection.
By choosing WCCTV, our mobile surveillance cameras feature built-in video analytics to automate surveillance efforts. This increases the efficiency and reduces the workload of those responsible for viewing the cameras.
Relocatable For Complete Site Flexibility
As mentioned in the name, mobile surveillance cameras provide complete flexibility which allows them to be easily relocated.
For industries like construction jobsites, Law Enforcement, and property management, this is particularly beneficial as security needs are likely to change over time.
And in some instances, to provide further flexibility, manufacturers like ourselves will offer rental options for their equipment, providing a more economical solution whilst still delivering a high standard of service.
In fact, by using our Surveillance Trailers, you can reduce your security costs by up to 88%.
Remote Diagnostics
Like with any technology, there’s room for errors to occur with its performance.
This error in performance can cause a lapse in the monitoring and recording features of your system, and in this time, intruders may have accessed your site and committed crime against your business and you’ll have no evidence to prosecute them in future.
With all of our mobile surveillance units, they contain Heartbeat diagnostics that can detect any fault with the cameras as soon as they occur.
These performance checks are run regularly, and if any faults are found, we can provide support as soon as possible in order to ensure zero or minimal disruption to your service.
Additional Security Features to Enhance Protection
Generally, the presence of mobile surveillance cameras will increase your security, however, having the availability of additional features where you can customize them to your needs is a useful extra.
We understand the importance of having security that suits you, so all our cameras feature additional output channels allowing for LPR cameras, voice-down audio systems, horn speakers, sirens, blue light alarms and Time Lapse Video. These allow us to build a custom solution designed around the user's specific requirements.
Where Can Mobile Surveillance Cameras be Used?
Being the leading supplier in mobile surveillance cameras around the globe since 2001. We have continually led the market in terms of technology, customer support, and we've built a portfolio of solutions that meet the specific requirements of several key sectors.
From these experiences and speaking to customers first-hand, we found the following use cases as being the most applicable for mobile surveillance cameras:
Construction Jobsite Security
Construction jobsites face several security challenges, including the threat of vandalism, accidents, and theft of equipment and materials.
While an unarmed security guard can cost $17 or $35 per hour to secure these sites, a mobile surveillance camera is not only more economically friendly, but equally effective, if not more at detecting and preventing crime.
And with their completely autonomous design allows them to work fully independent of your site, so jobsites based in remote and off-grid locations are still able to receive security without needing to skimp on quality.
Parking Lot Security
Managing a parking lot involves preventing security risks such as theft, vandalism, property damage, and violent crime.
We created LotGuard, a mobile surveillance unit specifically designed to protect parking lots and properties against these types of crimes.
The system is regularly deployed at retail and commercial parking lots to protect employees, guests, and property.
With one of LotGuard’s units, you don’t need to provide mounting poles for the surveillance cameras, and there’s no need for onsite power or internet connectivity at your lots.
All it takes is one engineer and 20-minutes to install it into your parking lot, and it’s ready to go.
Critical Infrastructure Security
Oil fields and Gas facilities are remote, isolated, and assets can be spread across large and complex sites.
Electrical and water facilities can also have complex detection areas which make the security of critical infrastructure sites like this difficult.
For this reason, they require intelligent, robust and proactive security systems.
Mobile surveillance cameras like ours can be provided with thermal imaging technology, allowing intruder detection in the lowest light on the most complex sites.
With ours, you can also reduce the requirement for multiple site visits to locations miles apart, as all cameras can be monitored remotely via our app.
Law Enforcement
Mobile surveillance cameras are the ultimate Law Enforcement force multiplier.
Portable and rapid deployment cameras allow officers to target crime hotspots and respond to illegal dumping, gang crime, vehicular crimes, and vandalism issues.
They can also provide public safety at major events, parks, and open spaces.
An added benefit of working with WCCTV, is that our units are available via the GSA Advantage catalogue, making the procurement process easy and convenient.
We also ensure all our cameras are NDAA-compliant, which makes them suitable for use with all Law Enforcement and Governmental departments.
Why Use Mobile Surveillance Cameras
Utilizing mobile video surveillance cameras instead of wired security cameras or security guards delivers significant benefits.
This includes significant cost reductions, quick installation, and a more flexible and responsive approach to your crime prevention and investigation efforts.
They are the ultimate crime prevention tool for those across multiple industries, and by working with us, we aim to provide a convenient, cost-effective solution that can be completely customized to your needs.
Interested in taking the next step towards mobile surveillance?
