A security camera system is a great tool for protective your assets, from your family home to your business establishment. This security system, however, will not fix itself over time. The system needs to be in tip-top shape all the time, as you don't want it failing on you when you need it the most.

So without further ado, here are some of the more important things you need to do in order to maintain a surveillance system:

1. Check the video logs of all cameras every day – spend ten to fifteen minutes skimming through the video feeds captured by your security camera system. Blurring or distortion usually means there is something wrong with the lens, while image noise or a dead video feed means something is wrong with the connection. If you use a day/night security system, black videos during the night means something is wrong with the low-light or infrared features of the cameras. Whatever you see, though, a daily once-over of the video feeds will tell you if the cameras are in need of light maintenance or serious repair.
2. Inspect the storage devices used – the typical IP camera system saves videos on a hard drive, and these hard drives break down over time. If navigating through the folders of the hard drive starts to become sluggish, then you may want to back up the video logs on a separate device and defragment the drive. If you start hearing whirring or clicking noises, replace the hard drive immediately as it is starting to break down.
3. Regularly air-clean the lenses of your cameras – Spray compressed air on the lenses of your cameras on a regular basis. This gets the dust out without the risk of scratching the lenses. If you want to save a bit, simply blow upon the lenses using lung power to dislodge the dust.
4. Periodically swab connections with distilled alcohol – power down your security camera system once a month and clean all cable connections with a swab dipped in distilled alcohol. This will not only clean off the dust that builds up on the connections, but will help loosen any grime or dirt that settles into the corners.
5. Invest in an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) – a UPS is an investment that is well worth it, even for a low-cost security system. Not only does the device keep your system powered when the power is interrupted, but it also helps prevent damage from short circuits when the power fluctuates. While it is ideal to provide a UPS for each of your cameras, you may want to focus on cameras that cover vital areas to minimize expenses. Examples include cameras covering entryways, transaction points or valuable assets.
6. Obtain all parts from your original supplier – maintain a working relationship with the establishment you bought your security system from. If you want to replace or expand parts of your existing security camera system, at least you know you'll be getting parts that are authentic, reliable and compatible with your existing system.

Keep these tips in mind and you'll keep your security camera system working for years on end!