While simple precautions such as locking windows and keeping lights on in the evening can help deter burglars from targeting your property, it’s a relatively unknown fact that one of your most expensive assets, namely your PC, can actually give your business security a massive boost.

With a bit of help from your broadband connection and a webcam or network camera, you can use it to help protect your valuables as well as give peace of mind when away from the office.

Whether you’re happy spending a few hundred pounds or would prefer not to spend anything at all, there are plenty of options available, and in this feature we’ll take you through each one and explain the pros and cons of each.

 

Quick and Easy
The cheapest option for home security with your PC is to go for a basic system that runs direct from a simple webcam attached to your PC. The next step is to invest in a network camera which means you won’t need your PC switched on all the time as they’re able to hook up directly to your business Network.

 

Advanced Security System
And if you’re happy to spend a bit more cash, you can create a complete business security system that will alert you if a door or window is opened or smashed , or even if there’s a sudden rise in temperature from an intruder’s body heat.

Network cameras look similar to a standard webcam but connect directly to your home network so they don’t need to be physically attached to a PC. This means there’s no need to have a computer switched on and you can view live footage from the network camera via any computer with an internet connection.

Once set up, the vast majority of network cameras will send an email or text message alert whenever movement is detected. Most models can then upload footage to an FTP server or attach images to the alert email that’s sent out.

There are also cameras that enable you to continue viewing even in pitch-black conditions using infra-red light. A good example and, in general, the more infra-red LEDs a night-vision camera has, the better it will be at filming in the dark. It’s worth pointing out that due to their infra-red sensitivity, such cameras aren’t so good at reproducing colours during the day.

As well as being great at alerting you to intruders, network cameras can be used for a variety of other tasks. Place one above your front door, for example, and you’ll be able to screen callers to your office. There are plenty of waterproof outdoor network cameras available and, if you buy one with built-in microphone and speaker, you can have a two-way conversation with the caller.

 

Potential problems
If you decide to invest in a network camera, it’s best to be aware that the setup process isn’t always quite as easy as the manufacturers would have you believe. If you want to be able to view live footage away from home, which you most likely will, you’ll need to know your router’s IP address so you can log in to the camera. However, since most ISPs provide what’s called a dynamic IP address, the IP address of your router will frequently change without warning.