Free Cloud Storage For Camera Surveillance: Is It Possible?

Cloud storage for surveillance cameras is a convenient way to store, access, and manage your video footage. While some cloud storage services are free, they often come with limitations on the amount of data that can be stored. Paid subscription plans offer extended storage periods and additional features, such as facial recognition and smart alerts. This paragraph introduces the topic of cloud storage for camera surveillance, specifically addressing the question of whether it is free and what features are included.

Surveillance cameras with free cloud storage

Verkada Security Cams

Except for the CD31 and CD31-E models, Verkada offers 30 days of free cloud backup storage. Their security cameras are known for their robust security measures and user-friendly interfaces, making them a popular choice for both businesses and homeowners. Verkada cameras provide high-quality video footage, ensuring clear and detailed images. They also offer advanced features such as motion detection and night vision for comprehensive surveillance.

Honeywell Security Cameras

Honeywell security and battery-powered cameras are known for their reliability and versatility, catering to both residential and commercial needs. Most Honeywell models offer up to 7 days of free cloud storage for video footage, with some limited to just 24 hours. This allows users to access their video recordings without paying a monthly fee, making Honeywell a cost-effective choice for those seeking to enhance their security. Honeywell cameras also offer reliable motion detection, easy integration with smart home devices, and weather-resistant designs suitable for outdoor use.

Google Nest Cam

Google Nest Cam is a smart choice for users invested in smart home technology. While it requires the Nest Aware plan for extended storage, the Nest Cam provides free access to the last three hours of footage, including snapshots of events detected by its sensors. The camera offers facial recognition, high-quality video resolution, and two-way audio. It seamlessly integrates with the Google ecosystem, including Google Assistant and Google Home, making it a convenient option for those already using Google products.

Arlo Security Cameras

Arlo security cameras are highly flexible and easy to install, making them ideal for monitoring indoor and outdoor spaces. They offer seven days of free cloud storage for motion and sound-triggered events. Arlo cameras deliver high-quality video, with weather-resistant features, ensuring clear footage regardless of the conditions. They are also compatible with smart home platforms, providing integrated security solutions. Arlo's wireless design makes it convenient to reposition the cameras as needed.

Wyze Cam

Wyze Cam offers an affordable solution for those seeking reliable home security cameras with free cloud storage. It provides 14 days of free rolling cloud storage for 12-second clips triggered by motion or sound. Wyze Cam supports local storage via microSD cards, allowing for continuous recording and greater flexibility. The camera captures high-definition video with night vision, ensuring clear footage around the clock. It also features two-way audio and motion detection with customizable zones. Wyze Cam is a budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality or essential features.

Blink Security Cameras

Blink security cameras are known for their ease of use and long battery life, offering free cloud storage for up to a year without any monthly fees. Their wireless design and weather-resistant construction make them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Blink cameras include motion detection with customizable alert settings, ensuring consistent and reliable performance. The Blink app makes it simple to install and manage your cameras, providing a comprehensive home surveillance solution without ongoing costs.

Canary Security Cameras

Canary security cameras stand out for their all-in-one design, offering video surveillance, a built-in siren, and climate monitoring capabilities. They provide 24 hours of free cloud storage for video clips, allowing users to view recent events without a subscription. Canary cameras are designed with smart features like person detection and air quality alerts, making them a comprehensive security and monitoring system for any home. The camera can be easily mounted anywhere and offers smart arm/disarm capabilities.

Amazon Cloud Cam

The Amazon Cloud Cam offers both day and night vision with 1080p full HD footage, making it a popular choice for surveillance purposes. It works seamlessly with Alexa and provides notifications when it detects activity. With the Cloud Cam, you can watch, download, and share the last 24 hours of motion alert video clips for free. More expensive subscription plans offer extended storage options, providing access to footage up to a month old. Amazon Cloud Cam is an excellent option for those seeking clear and detailed footage with convenient cloud storage.

Cloud storage benefits

Cloud storage for camera surveillance offers a range of benefits to both security professionals and their customers.

Reduced Risk of Data Loss

Storing surveillance footage in the cloud bypasses the physical vulnerabilities of recorders by automatically saving the video footage remotely. This means that if a recorder is damaged, malfunctions, or fails, the video footage is still accessible because it has been backed up in the cloud.

System's Health Monitoring

Cloud video surveillance systems are better at alerting users to any issues with the video feeds or other system components. While this can also be set up using traditional video surveillance systems, it is far more complex. With a cloud system, both security professionals and their customers can be immediately notified if a camera goes offline, helping to reduce downtime and increase overall security.

Centralised Remote Access to Footage

Cloud storage allows users to access live feeds and recorded video directly from their smartphone, with 24/7 access from anywhere and at any time. This is not only convenient but also reassuring, as users can always monitor their cameras. Cloud storage also allows for easy video playback, with users able to replay, share, or download recorded motion events straight from a mobile app.

Real-Time Alerting Through a Mobile App

With a cloud video surveillance system, users can be instantly notified if motion is detected on any of their cameras. Users can also set up motion detection zones, cameras' motion sensitivity, and the scheduling of when cameras record and when alerts occur.

Flexibility and Scalability

Cloud video surveillance systems are more flexible than traditional security systems. For example, if a user requires more storage, they can easily adjust their storage retention plan. Cloud-based systems don't require extensive on-premise equipment, making them more scalable without the need for complex on-site installations.

Increased Cyber Security

Contrary to the common misconception that the cloud is not secure, it offers greater security than on-site storage. Cloud video surveillance systems don't require port forwarding, which eliminates a big security risk. Cloud providers also remotely update their systems continuously, meaning hardware is always up to date. Further security measures depend on the cloud provider. For example, some providers save footage using 256-bit encryption and transmit it over encrypted TLS (HTTPS) channels.

Simple System Requirements

Compared to on-site storage devices, the system requirements for cloud security camera storage are simple. Cloud-based camera systems connect to a LAN or WAN and images are transmitted to the cloud via the internet. No special monitoring devices or workstations are required, as authorised users can access images or video recordings from any internet-connected device.

No Additional Equipment Required On-Site

Cloud storage for camera surveillance is operated, managed, and maintained by specialists from a third-party hosting company. A trusted cloud camera storage provider will also update their systems with the latest software and security patches, reducing the overall support burden on internal IT and security teams.

'Anywhere Access' on Demand

Internet access provides one of the key benefits of security camera and CCTV cloud storage. Any authorised user can access live and recorded cloud-based CCTV data on demand using internet-connected fixed or mobile devices, regardless of location. This gives security professionals greater operational flexibility, allowing them to monitor feeds from multiple cameras and respond to alerts outside normal business hours without being on-site.

Cost-Effective Scalability and Rationalisation

The best cloud storage for security cameras offers unlimited storage capacity. Security professionals can scale up storage without the cost, delay, or disruption of acquiring and setting up new physical storage devices. Businesses with multiple locations can use the remote accessibility of CCTV cloud storage to rationalise their security operations, using the cloud to store all security feeds and video history, with simple location-independent access for local security teams.

Increased Situational Awareness

Businesses with multiple locations can give all security staff access to the wider security picture on a single dashboard, increasing situational awareness and allowing security professionals to take proactive steps to minimise risk and understand the importance of physical security.

Collaborative Applications

Security camera data from the cloud can be used to populate reports, analysis, management briefings, and other internal documents to make them easily shareable with security team members, management, IT professionals, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.

Smart Building Systems

CCTV cloud storage can also provide important data for use by smart building applications such as building management systems, environmental control systems, and access control systems. Security camera footage provides real-time insights into traffic flows and occupancy levels throughout a building, helping property managers to plan more efficient use of energy and other resources.

Cloud storage safety issues

Cloud storage is a convenient way to store surveillance footage, but it's important to be aware of potential safety issues. Here are some key considerations:

Data Privacy and Security

The primary concern with cloud storage is ensuring data privacy and preventing unauthorized access. When choosing a cloud service provider, it's crucial to assess their security measures and history of breaches. Ask questions like: Do they have a history of poor security or privacy issues? How stable are they? Have they suffered any data breaches? It's also essential to create strong passwords and regularly update them to prevent hacking attempts.

Data Exposure and Sharing

Another issue is the potential exposure and sharing of sensitive data. Cloud providers may share customer data with business partners, law enforcement, or governments. Additionally, employees of the service provider may have unauthorized access to customer data. It's important to review the privacy policies of cloud companies to understand how they manage and protect your data.

Data Loss or Outages

Cloud storage systems can experience failures or outages, resulting in data loss or temporary unavailability. It is recommended to have multiple copies of critical data and business continuity plans to deal with such situations.

Insecure Interfaces and APIs

Cloud service providers often offer interfaces and application programming interfaces (APIs) to customers for easy usability. However, if not properly secured, these interfaces can be exploited by cybercriminals to access and steal sensitive data.

Account Hijacking and Weak Password Security

Many users have weak passwords or reuse passwords across different accounts. This makes it easier for attackers to gain access to cloud accounts, especially with phishing attacks. It is crucial to educate users about the importance of strong, unique passwords and to implement additional security measures, such as two-factor authentication.

Data Sovereignty and Control

When using cloud storage, organizations often don't know the exact location of their data within the provider's data centers. This can create concerns about data sovereignty, residence, and control, especially with regulations like the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that restrict where data can be stored.

Cloud storage alternatives

Cloud storage is a convenient way to store, access, and manage your surveillance videos. However, it may not always be free, and there are alternative options to consider for storing your camera footage. Here are some cloud storage alternatives:

Local Storage

Local storage involves saving your video recordings to a physical device such as an SD card, DVR (Digital Video Recorder), or NVR (Network Video Recorder). This method eliminates the need for a cloud subscription and provides permanent storage until the media is overwritten. Local storage can be a more secure option as it removes the risk of data breaches associated with cloud storage. Additionally, local storage is independent of an internet connection, ensuring access to your footage even during network outages.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Storage

FTP storage is a free alternative to cloud storage. It allows you to automatically upload motion event recordings to your PC or another device over the internet. This method ensures that your footage is safe from theft or loss, as it is stored remotely. FTP storage is commonly used with non-battery-powered cameras that may not be supported by cloud storage.

Third-Party Cloud Storage Software

If your IP camera does not support cloud storage, you can utilise third-party cloud storage software. However, before choosing a platform, ensure that your security camera is compatible with the software and that it supports both image and video recordings to maximise the benefits of cloud storage.

Hard Drive Storage

While wireless technology has made significant advancements, hard drives remain a reliable option for storing video footage. IP camera systems with network video recorders or digital video recorders are a solid choice for those seeking a more traditional storage solution.

Cloud storage features

Cloud storage is an essential feature of modern security cameras, offering a convenient and secure way to store and access surveillance footage. Here are some key features to look for in cloud storage for camera surveillance:

Accessibility and Compatibility:

• Remote Access: Cloud storage allows users to access their camera footage from anywhere, at any time, via the internet. This remote accessibility is especially useful for homeowners who want to monitor their property while away.
• Device Compatibility: Ensure that the cloud storage service is compatible with your camera model and brand. Some services may have limitations or require specific hardware.
• Mobile Apps: Many cloud storage services offer mobile apps, making it convenient to monitor and manage your camera footage on the go.

Storage Capacity and Retention:

• Storage Plans: Cloud storage providers typically offer various storage plans with different capacity limits and retention periods. Choose a plan that suits your needs, considering the number of cameras and the desired storage duration.
• Scalability: Look for a cloud storage service that can scale with your needs. You may want to increase storage capacity or the number of connected cameras over time.
• Continuous Recording: Some cloud storage services offer continuous recording, storing footage 24/7 without any lapses. Others may only store event-triggered clips, so be sure to select a service that matches your requirements.

Security and Privacy:

• Encryption: Ensure that the cloud storage service uses encryption to protect your footage data during storage and transmission. This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.
• Data Protection: Choose a reputable cloud storage provider that regularly updates its security measures and operating systems. This helps protect your data from potential hacking attempts.
• User Credentials: It's important to create strong passwords and regularly update them to enhance the security of your cloud storage account.

Additional Features:

• Motion Detection: Many cloud storage services integrate motion detection features, allowing the camera to detect and record only when motion is sensed, conserving storage space and battery life.
• Night Vision: Consider cloud storage for cameras with night vision capabilities, enabling clear footage even in low-light conditions or complete darkness.
• Smart Home Integration: Some cloud storage services offer compatibility with smart home ecosystems, such as Alexa or Google Home. This allows for seamless control and integration with other smart devices in your home.

Frequently asked questions