Your surveillance cameras are installed. You see them on the wall. The lights are on. The monitor in your office shows a live feed. Yahoo! You're finally able to monitor your precious business, right?
But here’s the real question: if something happened at your business today, could you retrieve clear, usable footage in under five minutes?
For many business owners, the answer is “I think so… maybe?” And that uncertainty is exactly the problem.
Too often, business surveillance systems are installed and forgotten. No one checks to make sure they’re recording properly, storing video for the right length of time, or even facing the right direction. The only time anyone realizes there’s a problem is when it’s too late.
In this article, we’ll explain how to know if your security camera system is actually working, and what “working” really means beyond just a blinking light.
The Common (and Costly) Mistake Businesses Make With Cameras
Installing a security camera system is a smart investment. But treating it as a one-time project is a mistake.
We’ve seen real-world situations where businesses needed video after:
- A break-in
- A customer slip-and-fall
- An employee incident
- A delivery theft
But when they tried to retrieve the footage, they discovered:
- The camera had stopped recording months ago
- The storage drive had failed
- The footage was overwritten too quickly
- The camera was misaligned and missed the scene
By the time they realized the problem, the evidence was gone, and there was nothing anyone could do to get it back.
What “Working” Really Means for a Surveillance System
Let’s be clear. A “working” camera system isn’t just one that turns on or shows a live feed on your monitor.
To be truly functional, your system needs to:
- Record continuously or based on motion
- Store video securely for a defined retention period
- Allow quick, reliable playback and retrieval
- Alert you if something goes wrong
If any of those pieces fail, the whole system fails, especially when you need it most.
How to Know If Your Camera System Is Fully Functional
Here are five practical ways to test whether your surveillance system is doing what it’s supposed to do.
1. Are Your Cameras Actually Recording?
Just because you can see a live view does not mean the footage is being saved.
- Test by selecting a few cameras and checking their recent footage
- Make sure motion-activated cameras are triggering correctly
- Look for gaps in the timeline or skipped frames
If you haven’t reviewed recorded footage in weeks or months, now’s the time.
2. Can You Access Footage Easily?
If an incident happens, how quickly can you pull up video?
- Test the process with your video management system (VMS) or NVR
- Try accessing footage remotely using the mobile app
- Verify that time stamps and clarity are acceptable for investigative use
If the footage is blurry, takes 20 minutes to access, or requires IT help every time, the system isn’t working the way it should.
3. Is Your Storage System Working?
Footage needs to be stored securely for a set period, usually 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on your policy or compliance needs.
- Check available storage on your system
- Make sure the video isn’t being overwritten too soon
- Verify that backups or cloud storage (if used) are functioning
If your hard drive fails or fills up without alerting you, you’ll lose data before you even know it’s missing.
4. Are You Receiving Alerts or Health Notifications?
Many modern systems include alert settings for:
- Offline cameras
- Storage errors
- Motion events
- Intrusion detection
If your system doesn’t send notifications or if no one monitors them, you could be blind to failures.
5. Are Your Cameras Covered by Maintenance?
Systems degrade over time. Lenses get dirty, hardware fails, and firmware becomes outdated.
- Check if your service agreement includes preventive maintenance
- Ask when the firmware was last updated
- Review warranty status on recorders and drives
Without regular maintenance, even the best cameras can quietly stop doing their job.
Related Article: Is It Time to Replace Your Business Surveillance System? A Quick Checklist.
Signs Your Camera System May Not Be Working Properly
Here are red flags to look out for:
- Cameras show only live feed but don’t record
- You can't access footage from a week ago
- Certain areas are no longer in view due to shifted angles
- Video quality has declined or is pixelated
- Remote access is unreliable or offline
- No alerts are triggered when expected
Any of these signs indicates it’s time for a system check-up.
How to Proactively Monitor and Maintain Camera System Health
Don’t wait until something happens to find out your system failed. Instead, make proactive monitoring part of your security operations.
Use a Video Management System (VMS)
A quality VMS provides:
- Live health monitoring for all connected cameras
- Alerts for disconnected devices
- Easy playback and evidence export
This is one of the most reliable ways to stay informed and in control.
Schedule Monthly System Checks
Put someone in charge of testing a few random cameras each month. They should:
- Check recordings from past days
- Test motion triggers
- Confirm clear night vision or low-light performance
Perform Annual Security Audits
Once per year, conduct a full audit of your system:
- Confirm camera placement still aligns with risk zones
- Test retention periods for compliance
- Update firmware and software
- Replace aging or unreliable hardware
How AIS Helps Businesses Keep Their Camera Systems Reliable
At AIS, we go beyond installation. We help clients:
- Monitor system health through advanced VMS platforms
- Receive proactive alerts when cameras go offline
- Ensure storage and retention compliance
- Perform annual security reviews as part of our service agreements
We believe a security system is only valuable if it works the moment you need it. That means regular checks, not just one-time installs.
Final Thoughts: You Can’t Afford to Find Out After It’s Too Late
Your camera system is there for one reason: to protect your business. But it only works if it captures and stores usable footage when it counts.
If you’re not checking it, testing it, or monitoring its health, you’re leaving your security to chance.
The good news is, keeping your system functional doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools, regular reviews, and a trusted partner, you can stay protected with confidence.
AIS is here to help you make sure your security investment actually delivers when it matters most.
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