The Importance of Testing and Maintenance for Security Systems

Keep up with current security trends. Anticipate problems before they happen. Install the latest security tech.

So much of security is focused on the next big thing, trying to keep pace with what’s new and what might be coming next (and with the rise of agentic AI, things are moving at a breakneck speed). This focus on the future can make it all too easy to lose track of something even more important: maintaining the security measures you already have. 

Why is Testing and Maintenance So Important?

One of the big ways security cameras protect property and people is through deterrence. The mere presence of business security cameras can often stop would-be wrongdoers before they get started, but the deterring effect won’t stop everything. 

If alerts from your commercial security cameras never happen, it’s likely indicative of a performance problem instead of a sudden cancelation of all suspicious activity. No news is good news only when there’s legitimately no news to be had.

Testing and maintenance for security systems is crucial to ensure both effectiveness and reliability. Proactively monitoring business security cameras and other system components can help you identify and address potential issues before they have the chance to escalate into real problems. 

Staying on top of testing and maintenance can:

• Prevent system failure
• Maintain your business’s reputation
• Protect your people and property
• Extend equipment lifespan
• Ensure regulation compliance

Failure to keep up with regular maintenance can be costly in several ways. In addition to the potential property loss or damage caused by unchecked vandals and thieves, incidences can cause insurance premiums to rise. Not only that, but neglect can lead to expensive emergency maintenance calls or the premature need to replace parts of the security system.

The Key Components of Testing and Maintenance

In a recent webinar sponsored by LiveView Technologies, Mary Rose McCaffrey, a former director of security for the CIA, made the case for proactive testing and maintenance in one sentence: “You can only fix what you know, and if you pretend you don’t know it, you’re going to have a bigger problem at the back end.”

Testing and maintenance consists of several straightforward steps, but it’s important to realize that the true driving force behind effective testing and maintenance lies not in the steps themselves, but in awareness, consistency, and follow-through. 

Without awareness, you won’t know about problems before they really become problems.

Without consistency, your security measures are much more likely to slip through the cracks and fail.

Without follow-through, security system concerns will only escalate.

Plan

A detailed plan is the foundation for any solid testing and maintenance system. Ideally, this plan should be created when designing surveillance systems for businesses. 

Each testing and maintenance plan should be customized to that specific business and its security setup. It should include:

• Timelines: Timelines for testing and maintenance will vary depending on your business, regulations, and equipment. (For example, you may need to schedule more frequent camera and sensor cleanings for outdoor cameras at construction sites.) It also helps to schedule in regular check-ins with the plan itself to decide if it is still serving your needs effectively or needs to be updated.
• Equipment replacement needs: Each piece of security equipment will have a different lifespan. Tracking installation dates and scheduling timely replacements can help you avoid equipment failure and give you time to build it into the budget. 
• Protocols and procedures: This should cover details of proper maintenance and testing for each component of the security system. 
• Contact information: Include the contact information for the relevant service providers for each aspect of the security system.

Inspect

Regularly examine all devices, including business security cameras, sensors, and control panels to check for signs of damage or other forms of obstruction. 

This can include cleaning lenses and sensors, checking for loose wiring, and trimming any wayward landscaping. 

Test

Regularly test all sensors, alarms, and communication systems to ensure they are working properly. Check surveillance cameras for quality, motion detection, and any other relevant features. 

Business security camera systems with backup power solutions should have both the primary power source and the backup tested to ensure the system avoids downtime even when its primary power source is unavailable. 

Address

Promptly address any issues discovered during routine checks and in day-to-day activities. Bring any concerns and issues to the attention of relevant parties immediately (and don’t shoot the messenger who brings the bad news). 

If left unaddressed, recurring issues like false alarms can become background noise, inadvertently allowing real problems to easily slip past the alert-fatigued attention spans.

When choosing your security system, consider whether the system can address its own issues. For example, LVT’s mobile security units have self-healing capabilities, allowing them to diagnosis and resolve a number of issues without human intervention.

Update

Stay on top of all software and firmware updates. Good software should tell you when updates are needed and when (so don’t ignore those notifications when they come). 

Be sure to regularly check access rights to ensure only authorized personnel have access to the system. 

Record

Keep a thorough record of all maintenance activities, including dates, notes, and actions taken. This is helpful for both compliance requirements and for tracking any system issues in case of future problems.

Reach Out

Consider hiring a reputable security company for maintenance and testing if you do not have the bandwidth to do it in-house.

Manufacturers and service providers often offer training programs and technical support to ensure you get the most out of their products. 

Interested in business security cameras with effortless installation and ongoing technical support? Contact LVT today for a mobile security unit demonstration.