As a video surveillance provider, I know that #VideoSurveillance systems are an essential tool for businesses, to ensure the safety and security of their employees and assets. However, many businesses are neglecting to use their video surveillance systems to their full potential.
Generally businesses are using video surveillance along with negative re-enforcement. Using recorded video to prove staff wrongdoing or neglect.
Surprisingly one study found that employee’s who are monitored negatively – via video surveillance, are actually more likely to break the rules and take extended breaks than those without video surveillance.
On the other hand, employee’s who experienced positive re-enforcement as a result of video surveillance, were less likely to break the rules.
A simple switch from negative to positive re-enforcement is required. By using video surveillance footage to identify employee’s who are performing well you achieve two objectives:
➡ Employees have a positive view of the surveillance program,
➡ Employee’s are constantly reminded that they are under surveillance. If you recognized the good work they do via the video surveillance program – they will wonder as to what else you may be able to see with the video surveillance system.
It goes without saying that employee’s and criminals – who are aware that the video surveillance system is not being used, or is not functioning properly, are going to exploit the situation.
It’s critical that business constantly remind their staff that they are being monitored – and positive re-enforcement is the most effective means of doing so.
Here are further tips to ensure that your video surveillance system is fully utilized;
⏺ Ensure Regular Maintenance,
⏺ Regularly audit the system – is camera placement still relevant? have views been obscured?
⏺ Use video footage and audio to train staff,
⏺ Have a data backup plan where footage must be held for some time.
⏺ Regularly apply any software updates,
⏺ Regularly audit and update user access permissions to the system, including regularly changing the password.
⏺ Have an incident response plan – too often we see the system working as expected, but no response has been planned for responding to event alerts.
⏺ regularly upgrade the system – Video technology evolves at a rapid pace.
⏺ Regularly review the footage – have a specific objective in mind when reviewing footage.
⏺ Be open and transparent with staff regarding the system, respect their privacy, and use the system positively.
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