HSM IT ServicesSecurity Cameras and Video Surveillance
IP camera systems that are clear, reliable, remotely viewable and kept off your business network. Our Security Cameras and Video Surveillance designs, installs and maintains IP camera systems with network video recorders, remote viewing and proper retention. We keep cameras secured and separated from your business network, so your video system protects your property without becoming a way into your computers.
Video surveillance helps deter theft, investigate incidents and keep people safe, but only if the cameras capture usable footage and the system is maintained. HSM IT Services designs camera systems around what you need to see, such as entrances, parking areas, cash handling, loading docks and equipment yards. We choose camera types, placement and lighting considerations so that faces and licence plates are identifiable where it matters, and we confirm coverage with you after installation.
Modern camera systems are networked devices, and they are frequently installed with default passwords, outdated firmware and direct internet exposure. That makes them a common target. Because HSM IT Services is an IT and cybersecurity company, we treat cameras as part of your network security. Cameras and recorders are placed on a separate network segment, firmware is kept current, default credentials are changed, and remote viewing is provided through secure methods rather than open ports on your firewall.
Footage is stored on network video recorders or in the cloud, with retention periods set to your needs. Video of identifiable people is personal information, so organizations under PIPA should have a clear purpose, appropriate signage and limits on access and retention. We help you configure the system to support those obligations and to export footage properly when police or insurers request it. Ongoing maintenance includes health monitoring, so a failed camera or full disk is noticed before you need the footage.
What is included
- Site survey and camera coverage design
- IP camera and network video recorder installation
- Cloud and hybrid video storage options
- Secure remote viewing on phones and computers
- Separate camera network segment and hardening
- Firmware updates and credential management
- Retention settings and footage export procedures
- Camera and recorder health monitoring
How it works
Survey
We walk the site with you to identify what each camera must see and any lighting or mounting challenges.
Design
We specify cameras, recording, storage, network segmentation and remote access.
Install
We cable, mount and configure cameras, then review the views and coverage with you.
Maintain
We monitor system health, apply updates and help retrieve footage when you need it.
Who it is for
Security Cameras and Video Surveillance suits businesses that want to protect property and people, including retail stores, offices, clinics and pharmacies, warehouses, construction and equipment yards, agricultural operations and multi-site organizations. It is especially valuable for organizations with an existing camera system that is unreliable, insecure or impossible to view remotely, or one installed without regard to network security.
Questions we hear
Why should cameras be on a separate network?
Cameras and recorders often run software that is rarely updated and may contain vulnerabilities. If they share a network with business computers, a compromised camera can be used to reach your servers and data. A separate network segment with tight rules limits what cameras can communicate with, protecting the rest of your environment.
Can we view our cameras from our phones?
Yes. We set up secure remote viewing through the manufacturer's protected cloud service or a secure connection to your network, so authorized users can see live and recorded video on phones and computers. We avoid opening ports directly to the camera system on your firewall, which is a common way systems are compromised.
Do privacy laws apply to our security cameras?
Video of identifiable people is personal information. Private-sector organizations in Alberta are generally subject to PIPA, which expects a reasonable purpose, notice such as signage, limited access and appropriate retention. Requirements depend on your circumstances, so we recommend reviewing your policy with legal counsel. We configure the system to support the approach you adopt.