Since its launch in 2016, Verkada has been quietly revolutionizing the surveillance industry by bringing consumer-market accessibility to enterprise-level environments without sacrificing on cyber-security.
Verkada’s sleek, small-footprint system even manages to seamlessly address commonly overlooked items when selecting a physical security solution, such as hidden lifecycle costs, barriers to access, data security, and space planning/facility changes or expansion.
Not Accounting for Lifecycle Costs
When considering a large investment, companies typically conduct a cost-benefit analysis. When it comes to technology, however, specifically security technology, it’s easy to overlook the costs of a system beyond the direct point-of-purchase. Traditional security systems typically include the following costs:
- Software
- Hardware
- Installation
- Cabling
- Maintenance (typically 20 percent of TCO)
- Education and training
- Space for surveillance monitors
- Surveillance personnel to watch the monitors
- Loss from offline cameras
Verkada’s unique, cost-effective approach provides clients with automatic firmware and software updates (reducing maintenance costs), a hybrid cloud-based archive for all video clips (eliminating the NVR/DVR), unprecedented technical support, and a 10-year product warranty, all included in the price of their security system.
Because Verkada’s cameras are all-in-one systems, they don’t require the purchase of additional equipment. Instead, video is immediately accessible in Verkada’s unique Command Center, which can be accessed by authorized users. In short, Verkada has created a service and product that recognizes the need to accommodate a variety of budgets without sacrificing efficiency.
Choosing a Solution with Access Barriers
Even the best security systems won’t be effective if only highly-trained technical staff are capable of accessing the footage, or if the systems can only be accessed from a specific hard-to-reach location.
Verkada’s user-friendly security features offer staff access to footage from any location and allow the sharing of footage with authorized users. Its cameras are designed with a hybrid-cloud model that allows footage to be streamed directly, while thumbnails are regularly uploaded to the cloud for future reference. The software is so easy to use that there is very little training required. For staff members who prefer a bit more training, Verkada offers free webinars and maintains a blog that addresses pertinent security system updates. Of course, staff must be aware where security systems are placed so that they do not obstruct the cameras or damage them.
Verkada’s cameras are weather and tamper-resistant and work even in areas with limited connectivity and bandwidth. When the cameras are installed, there will be no need to configure VPNs, change passwords, or update firewalls. Instead, they work exactly as they should, right out of the box, providing organizations 24-hour security from the minute they’re installed.
Data Security
NVRs/DVRs have to be manually updated, which can leave them vulnerable to hackers. By comparison, Verkada’s system automatically updates software and security patches. Their systems have never experienced a security breach, and they continue to record even in the event of a power outage. Verkada’s unique approach to hybrid-cloud security makes it impenetrable to attack, while also providing consistent, proactive security.
Enterprise organizations often overlook the security threats that result from their hacked attempts to make legacy systems easier to use. Opening ports to allow remote access or the incorporation of additional hardware or software to increase functionality all have negative consequences on the effectiveness of the security system as a whole.
In comparison, Verkada natively provides enterprises unique and secure monitoring and communication methods. Through its Command Center, staff can get alerts when a device has been tampered with or when there is unusual activity in a particular area. Video links can be shared between staff members for more effective communication within an organization, and a live camera feed can be sent to first responders in the event of an emergency.
Under-Planning for Change
When the layout or usage of space changes, it can often be difficult or costly to add or reposition cameras for full coverage. Under a traditional system, the installation and wiring of a camera unit can take up to six hours. Not to mention the potential additional cost for increasing channels or storage to accommodate the additional camera(s). These barriers can lead to security gaps and open organizations up to liability and loss.
Verkada’s solution doesn’t require any additional hardware beyond the individual camera to expand coverage, and installation takes less than 10 minutes. Cameras are simple to move and reposition, and they can be renamed and re-labeled with their new position in moments through the Command Center app. Additionally, the system provides users with advanced analytical insights, including people detection, people counting, heatmaps, to help enterprise owners better assess the best locations to install or reposition the units.
From lifecycle costs to access barriers, Verkada helps enterprise-level organizations close the gaps that are traditionally overlooked with enterprise solutions. Verkada has a variety of systems and packages that can undoubtedly address their unique needs for now, and for the future.