The right choice depends on your operational needs, network environment, and security objectives.

• Cloud VMS is ideal for businesses that want remote access from anywhere, simplified maintenance, and predictable monthly costs. It reduces on-site hardware requirements and is well-suited for multi-location operations or businesses with limited IT resources, provided reliable internet bandwidth is available.

• Local NVR systems are better for organizations that require full control over video data, higher frame rates, or continuous recording without reliance on internet connectivity. They typically offer lower long-term costs and are preferred where data privacy, local storage, or limited bandwidth are concerns.

At Guardian Safe & Lock, we evaluate your network capacity, retention requirements, and security priorities to recommend and deploy the solution that best fits your business.

The required PoE standard depends on the camera’s power draw and feature set.

• 802.3af (PoE) is sufficient for basic fixed cameras without heaters, IR illuminators, or PTZ functions.

• 802.3at (PoE+) is recommended for most modern IP cameras, including models with infrared illumination, varifocal lenses, or moderate onboard analytics.

• 802.3bt (PoE++ / 4PPoE) is required for high-power devices such as PTZ cameras, multi-sensor cameras, cameras with heaters or blowers, and advanced edge-processing features.

Guardian Safe & Lock designs camera networks to manufacturer specifications, ensuring switches, cabling, and power budgets are properly matched for reliable operation and future expansion.

Bandwidth consumption depends on camera resolution, frame rate, compression, and scene activity. For planning purposes, Guardian Safe & Lock typically uses the following conservative estimates per camera when properly configured with modern compression (H.265/H.265+):

• 1080p (2MP): 1.5–3 Mbps per camera

• 4MP: 3–6 Mbps per camera

• 5MP: 4–8 Mbps per camera

• 4K (8MP): 8–16 Mbps per camera

These figures assume 15–20 FPS, standard image quality settings, and continuous recording.

Motion-based recording, scene optimization, and advanced compression can significantly reduce real-world bandwidth usage.

During system design, Guardian Safe & Lock evaluates available network capacity, switch backplanes, uplinks, and storage requirements to ensure reliable performance without impacting business-critical traffic.

Short answer: Maybe — it depends on aggregated PoE and bandwidth. Most smaller systems (16 cameras or fewer) aren't usually an issue.

Some key checks for your IT: switch PoE budget, uplink capacity (Gbps vs 10 Gbps), uplink utilization during peak camera upload, VLAN segmentation, and QoS.

If the uplink or switch cannot carry the aggregated camera bitrate or PoE budget, plan for upgraded uplinks, additional PoE switches, or dedicated camera aggregation switches.

We perform a network readiness audit (port list, PoE budget, uplink test) before recommending changes.

There are a few basic changes to make to any IP camera network more secure:

• Change the default credentials.
• Enable strong, unique passwords (or certificate/AD integration where supported).
• Place cameras on segmented VLANs.
• Disable unused services (UPnP/Telnet).
• Keep firmware current.
• Restrict remote access via VPN or vendor cloud gateways (avoid direct port-forwarding).

Follow national IoT/security guidance (CISA/ONVIF) for procurement and lifecycle patching.

Hikvision
Recommended for robust performance and an extensive model range. Hikvision cameras offer high-resolution imaging, advanced analytics (such as motion detection, license plate recognition (LPR) cameras, and object classification), and reliable low-light performance. Suitable for both commercial and large-scale deployments.

Eagle Eye Networks
Recommended for cloud-first architectures and scalable systems. Eagle Eye provides reliable remote management, encrypted data transport, and flexible subscription options. Ideal for distributed sites and operations that prioritize cloud storage and mobile access.

Alibi
Recommended for cost-effective, reliable IP camera solutions. Alibi cameras balance performance with affordability, offering solid video quality, PoE support, and straightforward integration with common VMS platforms. Well-suited for small to medium business applications.

Ubiquiti
Recommended for ease of deployment and network-centric design. Ubiquiti cameras integrate seamlessly with Unifi ecosystem controllers, simplifying network and camera management. Best suited for installations where unified network and security device management is a priority.