Smarter cameras still need smart decisions. Here’s what installers and businesses should keep in mind as we head towards 2027.
A camera can be online, recording and sending notifications. But can it capture the detail you need? Does the right person receive the alert? And who helps when something stops working?
As we look back on 2026 so far, these are the practical lessons worth carrying into your next security project.
1. DO start with the problem. DON’T start with the camera.
Before choosing equipment, ask what the system needs to achieve.
Monitoring a warehouse perimeter is different from identifying someone at an entrance. A wide view of a car park serves a different purpose from capturing detail at a vehicle entry point.
Define the outcome first, then work through camera placement, lens selection, lighting and recording requirements.
At SensaTek, that’s where the conversation starts: the right product for the right purpose and the right project.
2. DO use AI with a clear purpose. DON’T expect it to fix poor installation.
AI video analytics can help identify relevant activity and reduce unwanted alerts. VIVOTEK’s Smart VCA, for example, offers analytics such as intrusion, line crossing and loitering detection on supported cameras. Available features depend on the model and configuration. vivotek.com
But the site still matters. VIVOTEK’s installation guidance highlights adequate lighting and accurate camera height information as factors in detection performance. download.vivotek.com
Decide what activity matters, configure the relevant rules and test them on site. An impressive feature list is only useful when it supports the job.
3. DO test after dark. DON’T approve a system from its daytime view.
A clear image at midday doesn’t tell you everything about performance at midnight.
Check entrances, loading bays and perimeter areas under the conditions they actually experience. Include moving people, vehicle headlights and changing light levels in your checks.
VIVOTEK’s motion detection guidance recommends different day and night settings because lighting and image noise can affect alarm behaviour. VIVOTEK Support Center
The practical question is simple: when something happens after hours, will the footage show what the customer needs?
4. DO protect the security system itself. DON’T overlook passwords and updates.
Connected security equipment needs ongoing attention.
Use unique credentials, enable multi-factor authentication where supported and keep firmware and software updated. Review access when staff or contractors change, and remove accounts that are no longer needed.
Australian Government guidance identifies default credentials and uninstalled security updates as risks for internet-facing devices. VIVOTEK also publishes security advisories for its products. CGA
Include these responsibilities in the handover so the customer knows who manages updates and access after installation.
5. DO test recording and response. DON’T stop at a working live view.
Seeing a camera feed is one part of commissioning.
Before handover, confirm that footage records, playback works and the customer can export a usable clip. Check timestamps and confirm the recording settings meet the agreed retention requirements.
Then test the alerts. Who receives them? Who checks what happened? Who takes action?
An alert is much more useful when someone knows what to do next.
6. DO plan for interruptions. DON’T assume everything stays online.
Walk through what happens if power or internet connectivity fails.
Depending on the system design, consider backup power, local recording and notifications for disconnected equipment. Confirm which functions continue during an interruption and test that behaviour.
The customer should understand how their system responds before they have to rely on it.
7. DO choose support as carefully as equipment. DON’T judge value by the invoice alone.
For installers, electricians and security integrators, a last-minute change can put the whole day under pressure.
A missing accessory, a compatibility question or an unexpected site requirement can leave your team waiting and your customer looking for answers.
That’s why the supplier relationship matters.
At SensaTek, we support projects with product selection, technical advice and help working through challenges. When something changes, call us. We’ll work with you to find a practical way forward.
Having someone who understands the project can make the next decision easier.
What should we take into 2027?
Keep asking practical questions. Test the system under real conditions. Make sure the customer knows how to use it and who to call.
Planning an installation or reviewing an existing CCTV system? Speak with SensaTek about equipment and support suited to your project.