Cameras, Access Control and Alarms: Why Long Island Businesses Use One Security Company

Why many Long Island businesses put security cameras, access control and alarm monitoring with one installer, and what to ask before you do.

Plenty of Long Island businesses end up with three security vendors: one company that installed the cameras, another that put in the card readers, and a third that monitors the alarm. It works until something goes wrong. Then nobody owns the problem, the systems do not talk to each other, and you are the one making all the calls.

Here is why more businesses are putting cameras, access control and alarms with one company, and what to ask before you do.

One plan instead of three

When the same team designs everything, the systems are planned together:

  • Cameras are placed to cover the doors that have card readers.
  • The alarm arms itself when the last employee badges out.
  • One network and one set of cabling serve everything, instead of three contractors running their own wires.
Network cabinet with gateway, PoE switch and video recorder serving cameras and access control
One cabinet, one network: the gateway, PoE switch and recorder that run a business's cameras and door access.

Video that matches the event

When cameras and access control are integrated, every door event can be matched to video. If a door is forced or held open, or a card is used after hours, you can pull up the footage in seconds instead of scrubbing through hours of recordings.

One call when something breaks

With one company, there is one number to call. No finger-pointing between the camera installer and the alarm company about whose equipment caused the problem. CWC’s RedLine service plans cover alarm, camera and access control systems under one contract.

What to ask a security company

  • Are you licensed? In New York, companies that install alarm and security systems must be licensed by the Department of State. Ask for the number. Ours are listed on our licenses page.
  • Who monitors the alarm? Look for a UL-listed central station. CWC uses Metrodial in Hicksville.
  • Which manufacturers are you certified on? Certified partners get factory training and support. CWC is a Paxton Silver Partner and a Hanwha Vision partner.
  • Do you handle the network side? Cameras and access control depend on reliable cabling and network gear. We also provide cabling and managed IT.
  • What happens after installation? Ask about response times, service contracts and who you call on a Saturday.

A real example

For a 10,000 sq ft law firm in Syosset, CWC installed security cameras, access control on 16 doors, a burglar alarm, VoIP phones, data drops to every office and a complete network room build-out, so the client’s IT vendor could move straight in. One project manager, one schedule, one company to call afterward. See more on our case studies page.

Outdoor-rated network enclosure with switch and recorder for a detached building
For detached buildings and outdoor areas, we install weatherproof enclosures so cameras and doors stay on the same network.

Start with what you have

You do not have to rip everything out. Most businesses start by taking over monitoring of an existing alarm or adding access control to the main doors, then build from there.

Learn more about our commercial security services: commercial cameras, access control and commercial alarm systems across Nassau and Suffolk County.

Ready to talk it through? Call CWC Security at 516-889-3600 or book a free on-site security assessment. We serve homes and businesses across Nassau and Suffolk County.