The best cloud-based security camera systems for business (2024)

Discover what makes up the top cloud-based security camera systems for businesses in 2024. Explore how these systems work to enhance security, streamline operations, and leverage cutting-edge technology.

When searching for the best cloud-based security camera systems, several key factors come into play. From seamless integration and real-time access to advanced analytics and robust data protection, understanding what makes a system stand out is crucial. This article explores the essential components that define top-tier cloud security cameras, helping you choose a system that not only meets but exceeds your business security needs.

See how Solink’s cloud-first video security system can improve the security of your business.

What is a cloud-based security camera system?

The best cloud-based security camera systems have the following characteristics:

• Always on: Cloud computing should enable your security camera system to have zero downtime. This includes letting you know about problems with individual security cameras or other connected systems.
• Always compatible: The cloud is fundamentally an interconnected network of different systems and services. If your security camera system does not function within this greater network of services, then is it truly part of the cloud? Solink brings a technology agnostic approach to development. The Solink platform can work with most security cameras on the market and your other systems, from access control to POS systems, to provide new insights for business management.
• Always available: Cloud systems should be available at any time of the day, from anywhere. For cloud-based security camera systems, this means being able to perform remote monitoring of your premises and any key metrics.
• Always up to date: Cloud-based security camera systems keep themselves up to date with the latest patches. This protects your business from cybersecurity threats, without any user input. It also means a regular flow of new features to drive even more return on investment (ROI).

EASY DEFINITION: Cloud-based security camera systems are digital video security solutions that store footage on remote servers accessed via the internet. These systems allow for real-time video monitoring and management from anywhere, providing flexibility and scalability.

Companies love to cash in on the newest buzzwords. This has led to terms like “Cloud” and “AI” being used loosely in recent years by security camera companies to build their brand. However, many of these cloud-based security camera systems barely take advantage of cloud technology. To understand this, let’s begin with the basic definition of cloud computing.

Wikipedia defines cloud computing broadly as “the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage (cloud storage) and computing power, without direct active management by the user.”

This definition is more geared towards companies like Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure that operate as the backbone for software as a service (SaaS) companies, including video security as a service (VSaaS) companies. However, just because a security company relies on cloud computing does not mean they offer a true cloud-based security camera system.

At Solink, our approach to cloud-based video security extends far beyond the basic functionalities of remote video storage and access. We believe that true cloud-based video security should encompass a comprehensive suite of features that enhance both security and operational efficiency.

What are the advantages of a cloud-based security camera system?

The best cloud-based security camera systems can bring a lot of value to businesses. In fact, working with the right cloud security camera system company can pay for itself several times over through cost and time savings, improved security, and the potential to drive more revenue.

Here are some of the ways that cloud-based security camera systems drive return on income (ROI).

Save and share

Cloud-based storage significantly simplifies the process of managing and sharing security video. When your security footage is stored on a cloud server, sharing critical video clips becomes as straightforward as sending a URL via email. This feature is particularly useful in situations where timely access to video evidence is crucial, such as coordinating with law enforcement or internal investigations within your organization.

Solink enhances this type of feature with its intuitive software platform, designed to make easy the saving and sharing of video clips. For example, if an incident occurs in your business, Solink’s system can save the relevant footage based on specific triggers such as motion detection or alarm activation, saving you tons of time in search. You can then immediately share this video with the necessary parties, ensuring rapid response and resolution.

Remote monitoring

Accessing your data from anywhere proves invaluable, regardless of the number of locations you manage. While useful for businesses of all sizes, remote monitoring becomes crucial for larger organizations. Solink facilitates real-time access to your data from any location. You can conveniently view video footage capturing ongoing events and gather data from interconnected systems.

Everything in one place

Businesses have recognized the indispensability of data collection, yet many find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available. While they acknowledge its potential to enhance organizational efficiency, deciphering and implementing data insights can prove challenging.

Simplifying data processes is achievable by consolidating as much data as possible within a unified platform. Solink’s cloud video security platform precisely accomplishes that objective. By integrating video footage with data derived from other systems, not only does it elevate security measures, but it also reveals valuable business insights.

Proactive monitoring

Cloud-based security camera systems effectively alleviate the mental burden of constantly monitoring your business. Through the utilization of diverse statistical models, motion search, and other camera AI features, Solink can promptly alert you to potential issues.

Whether you seek to be informed when someone enters the backroom, notice a decline in store sales, or observe a drop in service speed, Solink proactively notifies you of these concerns before they escalate.

With Threshold Notifications, you can establish predefined limits for your core metrics and receive SMS or email notifications as soon as your core metrics deviate from your desired parameters. This empowers you to stay informed and take timely action.

Off-site cloud video storage backup

Cloud video storage relies heavily on a stable Internet connection and consumes a significant amount of bandwidth, which can be a drawback.

However, leveraging cloud video storage as a backup solution alongside local network storage is an excellent option. By securely storing your important videos in a reliable cloud storage solution, you can retain them indefinitely. Cloud-based accessibility to these videos also unlocks additional advantages associated with cloud-based security camera systems.

Solink addresses these considerations by integrating network-attached storage (NAS) with cloud video storage. This seamless combination of storage solutions not only helps reduce expenses but also enhances system resilience. The storage appliance provided by Solink offers a hassle-free experience and comes with full warranty coverage.

Moreover, it helps ensure that your security system aligns with regulatory requirements, for those industries with stringent compliance standards.

Constant improvements

Traditional security systems typically remain unchanged throughout their lifespan once purchased. In contrast, cloud security camera system companies continuously evolve and improve their solutions over time. For example, Solink recently introduced Location Management. This new feature significantly simplifies the process of locating and auditing specific individual locations or groups of locations for large organizations.

By embracing cloud video security solutions, businesses benefit from ongoing advancements and innovative functionalities that enhance their security measures and operational efficiency.

You can track all of the recent updates to the Solink platform here.

Simple and free security updates

Cybersecurity is an integral part of physical security. One of the biggest disadvantages of going to a non-cloud-based security camera solution is that they don’t receive free, automated security updates.

Over time, as hackers discover exploits to these systems, a business’s video feeds become vulnerable. Solink sends security updates to your system to keep your business and its data secure.

Easy health checks

Solink’s cloud-based security camera system operates continuously, ensuring it remains online at all times. Equally important, it ensures the availability of your other systems. Solink achieves this by regularly checking if your cameras are online and unoccluded. When an issue is found, Solink promptly notifies you so you can quickly bring your cameras back online.

Moreover, Solink conducts regular health checks on all your devices to proactively identify and address any potential security vulnerabilities, ensuring a robust and secure system.

AI capabilities

Storing your security camera footage in the cloud opens up possibilities for utilizing advanced AI capabilities. Cloud computing provides the necessary computing power for features that go beyond the capabilities of a single laptop. Cloud computing unlocks the following features, among many others.

Scalability

Cloud-based security camera systems provide unlimited scalability. Here are three ways that cloud video security scales with your business:

• Number of sites: The cloud is limitless, so you can easily bring another site online.
• Number of users: It is easy to add new users, as well as give them a customized level of access to protect certain data from those who do not need to see it.
• Number of connected systems: The POS is the most common connected system on Solink, but we can connect to many other systems including scheduling software and access control. When you have new systems come online, Solink will work to add them to your custom dashboard.

Solink versus the others

When comparing Solink to other cloud-based video security providers, several key differentiators stand out. Solink integrates video surveillance with point-of-sale (POS) data, offering unique insights that go beyond traditional security measures. This integration allows business owners and security personnel to correlate transactional data with video footage, providing a clearer understanding of events and enabling proactive responses to theft and fraud. Additionally, Solink’s platform is designed for user-friendliness with features like one-click video sharing, easy-to-use search functionalities, and automatic event tagging, which streamline operations and enhance user experience. In contrast, many other providers focus solely on video storage and basic remote access, lacking the advanced analytical tools and integrations that Solink offers. This makes Solink not just a security tool, but a comprehensive business intelligence solution, setting it apart in the realm of cloud-based video security systems.

Advantages of Solink

Here are some of the main differentiators of Solink’s cloud-based security camera system solution in an easy to follow list:

• An easy-to-use platform that can be learned on the fly and used by various roles across an organization
• Constantly shipping new features such as Camera Linking, Threshold Notifications, and Location Management
• 24/7 support via in-app chat, email, or phone, as well as an extensive help center
• Best-in-class mobile experience on both Apple and Android along with Apple TV and web apps
• Substantial ROI through time-saving, improved revenue generation, and reduced costs and theft
• The highest level of network security and data protection
• Quick installation and hands-off hardware that is fully managed and maintained by Solink
• Hundreds of integrations, including POS systems, access control, and scheduling software
• Video alarms, with both self-serve and managed options for verification
• No-term contracts that make it a flexible solution for businesses
• Real-time alerts for core metrics and daily digest emails for summaries of all your data
• Technology-agnostic platform that works with most security cameras and connected systems
• All-in-one solution that can source and install your security cameras

Direct comparison table

In the chart below, we provide a detailed comparison between Solink and other leading video security providers, such as Verkada, Avigilon, and Eagle Eye Networks. This side-by-side analysis highlights key features and capabilities of each system, helping you understand how Solink’s integration of video surveillance with POS data, advanced analytics, and user-friendly functionalities beats out the offerings of these competitors. Whether you’re prioritizing advanced data correlation, ease of use, or comprehensive security solutions, this chart will help you see why Solink is the superior choice for your business needs.

Solink is the best cloud-based video surveillance company

Solink brings together all of the features businesses come to expect in a cloud-based security camera system solution.

• Motion and event search helps you find more theft in less time.
• Video alarms better protect your business at night while massively reducing the risk of false alarm fines.
• Camera health checks make sure your cameras are online and unoccluded, while security updates protect you from cyberthreats.
• The regular release of new features means the ROI keeps increasing year over year.

To see what makes Solink the best cloud-based security camera system company, sign up for a demo today.