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COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL CUSTOM SECURITY
SECURITY SYSTEM, SECURITY CAMERAS AND ACCESS CONTROL
Serving Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, And Santa Clarita.
CLOUD VS. LOCAL SECURITY CAMERA RECORDING
Which Type of Security Camera System Is Right for Your Property?
One of the most important decisions when choosing a professional camera system is where the video will be recorded and how the system will be managed.
Secure Tech offers:
Cloud-Based Video Security
and
Local On-Site Recording
Both can provide professional surveillance, but there are important differences in capabilities, ongoing costs, system updates and integration.
CLOUD-BASED VIDEO SECURITY
Cloud video can move important video services and recording beyond equipment located solely at the property.
Depending on the platform and service, video can be recorded off-site while the cloud platform provides remote management, intelligent analytics and additional capabilities.
OFF-SITE VIDEO RECORDING
This is one of cloud video's strongest advantages.
With a traditional local recorder, recorded video is stored on equipment at the protected property.
If that equipment is seriously damaged, disabled or removed, locally stored recordings may potentially be affected or lost.
With off-site cloud recording, important recorded information does not depend entirely on the survival of a recorder inside the property.
VIDEO + ALARM SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Another major cloud advantage is compatible alarm-system integration.
With compatible cloud platforms, security cameras can become part of the broader alarm environment rather than functioning as a completely separate system.
The standalone local-recording camera systems Secure Tech installs operate independently and do not provide this alarm-system integration.
A PLATFORM THAT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE
Security technology doesn't stop changing after installation.
Cybersecurity threats evolve. Video analytics improve. New capabilities are developed.
Cloud platforms can allow manufacturers to continue maintaining and updating the platform after installation.
Depending on the service, updates may include:
• Security-related improvements
• Software updates
• Platform improvements
• AI/video-analytics enhancements
• New features
• Compatibility improvements
• Performance improvements
WHY UPDATES MATTER
A security camera system may remain installed for many years.
Standalone systems can also receive updates, but those updates often require deliberate maintenance and may occur much less frequently than updates to an actively maintained cloud platform.
This doesn't mean cloud systems are immune to cybersecurity threats.
It means the platform can be continuously maintained rather than depending primarily on occasional on-site attention.
AI & INTELLIGENT VIDEO
Cloud platforms can provide advanced AI capabilities that go considerably beyond traditional motion detection.
Secure Tech combines appropriate technology with professional design and configuration to provide more meaningful notifications while dramatically reducing nuisance alerts.
LOCAL ON-SITE RECORDING
Traditional professional camera systems store video on a recorder at the property.
These systems can provide high-quality surveillance, continuous recording, substantial storage, remote viewing and dependable playback.
Their major practical advantage is straightforward:
No recurring cloud-service cost for core recording.
THE TRADEOFF WITH LOCAL RECORDING
Avoiding a monthly cloud fee comes with tradeoffs.
The standalone recorder does not provide the same compatible alarm-system integration offered through Secure Tech's cloud-based video platforms.
Recorded video also remains primarily dependent on equipment located at the property.
Software and firmware updates may require more deliberate maintenance and may occur less frequently than updates to an actively maintained cloud platform.
This doesn't make local recording a bad solution. It means customers should understand what is gained in exchange for the recurring cost savings.
LOCAL OR CLOUD?
Local recording may be appropriate when the priority is:
Professional video recording without a recurring cloud-service cost.
Cloud video may provide greater long-term capability when the priorities include:
• Off-site recording
• Alarm-system integration
• Ongoing manufacturer platform development
• Regular security/software improvements
• Advanced cloud AI
• Intelligent notifications
Secure Tech explains the differences rather than forcing every customer into the same solution.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the biggest advantage of cloud security cameras?
Major advantages include off-site recording, compatible alarm integration, advanced AI and access to an actively maintained cloud platform.
What is the biggest advantage of a local recorder?
For many customers, the primary advantage is avoiding a recurring cloud-service fee while maintaining professional on-site recording.
What happens if someone steals or damages the local recorder?
If video exists only on the local recorder, loss or serious damage to that recorder can potentially result in loss of recorded information. Off-site recording reduces dependence on equipment inside the property.
Can local security cameras integrate with my alarm system?
The standalone local-recording systems Secure Tech installs operate independently and do not provide the alarm-system integration available through compatible cloud-based video.
Is cloud video immune from cyberattacks?
No. No system should be represented as immune to cybersecurity threats. One cloud advantage is the manufacturer's ability to continually maintain the platform and provide security-related updates.
Do local recorders receive updates?
Updates may be available, but standalone systems often require deliberate updating and may be updated less frequently than an actively maintained cloud platform.
LET'S CHOOSE THE RIGHT RECORDING PLATFORM
If avoiding ongoing service fees is the priority, professional local recording may make sense.
If off-site recording, alarm integration, ongoing updates and advanced cloud capabilities are important, cloud-based video may provide significant advantages.