Church security in Michigan

Map out your church's surveillance needs

Any good security system begins with a well thought out plan. To begin the process of mapping out the specific security needs of your church building, review all of the possible access points into and out of the building. You will also want to consider what types of activities will be taking place inside your church throughout the week.

Is their a church daycare center that will need to be monitored on a daily basis? Is their an outside playground or activity area that may need to be watched throughout the week? What are the potential reasons these areas will need to be monitored? Are you concerned about potential vandalism? These are all security concerns that will have to be addressed based on the specific location and ministry of your specific church.

Determine specific equipment requirements
Once you have thoroughly assessed your church's specific security needs, you are ready to determine the exact equipment requirements for your new security surveillance system. Some of the basic equipment components you may need are reviewed below. The exact number and specific type of components will vary based on your exact specifications.
Surveillance cameras -- The type of camera needed is determined based on where the camera will be mounted. There are different types of surveillance cameras required for outdoor installations, covert installations, low light installations, etc.
Software -- Your software needs will also vary based on the size of the church and the configuration of your security surveillance network. A basic software package is generally included with your camera purchase and will probably be fine for a small-scale network. If you have more unique needs like remote viewing, multi-site monitoring, or the need to integrate with other security components, you will need a much more advanced package.
Digital video recorders (DVRs) -- Digital video recorders allow you to capture images from your surveillance cameras and save them to your computer hard drive. This gives you a great deal of flexibility in how you can view and manage images captured by the surveillance cameras in your network. You may be able to get away without a DVR if you have a very small church and do not really have a need to monitor after hours. However, if you have a large network of surveillance cameras, this device is almost a necessity.

Monitors -- Monitors are devices that allow you to view the images captured from your surveillance cameras. With many of the newer surveillance systems that integrate directly to your PC, you can use your computer monitor to view captured images. Stand-alone monitors can be purchased however if you are in need of additional viewing devices.

Select appropriate equipment
Once you have conducted your online research of the different surveillance camera equipment available, you will need to narrow down your selections. Make sure you purchase camera equipment that contains all of the features you need for your installation. You will definitely want to consider future expansion needs of your surveillance network and purchase equipment that can easily integrate and upgrade accordingly. However, if you church's security needs are very simple, be careful that you do not spend extra on options that you do not need and will never use.
Install and maintain
The final step in the process of implementing a security plan for your church is installing and maintaining the actual surveillance equipment. Many of the newer wireless systems on the market today are very easy to install. If you are taking on the project yourself and do not have a lot of experience with video technology, you should definitely consider wireless security cameras. However, if you have no desire to tackle the project yourself, a professional installation will more than likely be the way to go.
Once the security cameras are fully installed, you will need to have someone responsible to monitor the network. Again, the complexity of this function is dependant on the specific security needs of your church. If your security system is very small, the necessary monitoring will be minimal. If you need to maintain a high level of security, you will probably need to employ full time monitoring personnel. You can have the most advanced surveillance equipment on the market, but if you are not monitoring the security system itself, the technology is useless.
There are many issues to consider when mapping out and setting up a security plan for your church. In the end though, the increased safety and peace of mind everyone will experience will make your efforts all worth it.

About Vidcom Solutions


Michigan's clear choice for design and installation of access control systems, IP video surveillance configuration, computer and network cabling, intrusion alarms and integrated security solutions.
Welcome to Vidcom Solutions, your security integration specialists. Since 1996 we have built our reputation as the most knowledgeable and customer-focused commercial & government building security firm in Michigan. We will work with you to design the perfect solution for your facility's security requirements using best of breed systems from our integration partners. We install and service everything we sell using our own factory trained, licensed and fully insured technicians. Our seasoned staff of engineers and technicians delivers unmatched excellence in your security system installation, maintenance and service. Vidcom Solutions is acknowledged as Michigan's clear choice for access control and surveillance needs. We’re ready to earn your business !