TL;DR: Videoloft is a cloud video storage and mobile app that allows you to access your NVR security footage remotely and securely. You can install Videoloft cloud in a few minutes through the Videoloft app or website.
So, back in the day a business would generally run their whole video camera surveillance system onsite. They might have had an ops room, or squeeze hardware into a corner of an office, from where they would physically manage their security system and ensure they had enough capacity to store their camera footage for however long they needed to keep it for.
But times are changing. Technological advances by companies like Videoloft have made remote access for Network Video Recorders (NVRs) straightforward to implement and smooth to run.
Secure NVR remote access has been a real game changer; giving businesses the flexibility, convenience and reassurance of real-time monitoring and day-to-day management.
Benefits of Remote Access for NVRs
NVRs that you can access remotely work in just the same way as traditional systems. The key difference is that you add a centralized platform, like Videoloft, to give you secure remote access to all your live and archived footage.
This access can be managed from any mobile device or web-browser, wherever you are in the world. All you need is a wi-fi connection.
NVR or DVR remote access has the huge benefit of convenience as it enables you to go about your business freely and make the most of your time – you can oversee multiple locations from wherever you are; you don’t have to be onsite to monitor activity on your premises.
Your NVR remote access capability enhances your security by giving you instant visibility of all activity, which is then stored efficiently in a way that’s easy to navigate and find when you need it.
And, having remote access to your NVRs gives you real-time monitoring, so that you can quickly respond to any live situation. Doing so could not only prevent theft or damage but also keep your staff and customers safe.
Methods of Remote Access
There are two ways to access your surveillance camera footage remotely. You can use a browser-based desktop version, for which we recommend adding a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to make sure you are keeping your data secure when you are logging on outside your own premises – more on VPNs later.
Alternatively, you can use an app on your mobile phone or tablet, which many people find to be the most convenient and efficient way to view and manage their NVR camera footage.
Mobile Apps
There are various apps you can download to access your NVR footage remotely on your mobile phone. Whether you have an iOS or Android device, you’ll find many camera or NVR manufacturer-specific to choose from.
They will each provide various features that are likely to include such as live view, playback, as well as instant motion alerts and notifications.
When you have chosen the app that you feel will best suit your needs, and be compatible with your cameras, you will need to connect your NVR to your network, download and install your chosen app, log in to the account you create, then use your NVR’s unique ID or QR code to add your NVR to the app.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN is a way of accessing the internet via unsecured internet infrastructure, in public spaces for example, with as much security and data protection as if you were connected to a private internet network at your business premises or in your home, enabling you to protect your data by restricting and managing user access to that data.
There are many VPN providers available, who offer a range of free options and paid-for subscriptions. As you would expect, free VPNs are often limited by the number of devices and regions they cover, and they can lack additional security features.
Cloud Backup
A cloud-based security camera system stores your camera footage on a remote server that you access via the internet.
As a cloud-based security system uploads camera footage straight from IP cameras to a cloud server, it can replace the need for you to store footage on an onsite server.
Using a cloud-based system gives you the flexibility of real-time video monitoring, managing your security system from wherever you are, and the scalability to easily expand your network.
Videoloft is one such cloud-based video surveillance platform, fully compatible with the vast majority of CCTV camera and recorder brands.
The Videoloft cloud-based video surveillance platform gives you:
· NVR remote access, or even DVR remote access, via a mobile app or web-browser based app
· Multi-site access for an unlimited number of users
· Multi-camera event playback
· Unlimited motion alerts, personalized AI powered alerts and camera status alerts
· Recording scheduling and alert scheduling
Cloud Storage Integration
Cloud storage gives you the peace of mind that your IP camera footage will be encrypted and stored safely in the cloud, available when and where you need it, for as long as you need it, even if your onsite hardware malfunctions, or is damaged or stolen.
Perhaps you need cloud-based storage for regulatory reasons, or maybe you’re choosing to not have onsite hardware at all, freeing up space, reducing maintenance costs and the time it takes to manage a physical system, and negating the threat of theft or damage.
Getting set up to receive all the benefits of running a cloud-based security system couldn’t be simpler. The process of setting up cloud recording and storage only takes a few minutes and can be completed remotely.
This short video demonstrates how easy it is to add cloud storage to your NVR.
Not only does Videoloft’s cloud backup give you the ability to view footage from multiple locations on one platform, you can also manage other users’ permissions with read-only or full admin access.
Motion detection, smart alerts and configuring recording and alerting schedules are just a few of the features available to you via the Videoloft platform.
Data redundancy is also key. Videoloft’s secure cloud storage protects your data if your local NVR fails, is stolen or tampered with. All video is encrypted while it is being sent to the cloud, and it’s also encrypted the whole time that it is being stored.
Setting Up Cloud Backup
It couldn’t be easier to set up cloud backup for your existing video security system.
1) Purchase your Videoloft Cloud Adapter online, which is the bridging device that streams your video footage to the cloud, storing it securely and giving you instant access to live and archived footage.
2) Download the Videoloft mobile app, available for iPhone and Android phones.
3) Set up a Videoloft account to manage your cloud subscription.
4) Connect your cameras to the Videoloft platform – here is a useful, short video tutorial to walk you through the process.
Security Considerations
There’s a common misconception that cloud storage is not as secure as local storage, but that’s actually a myth – it’s actually an inherently more secure option.
Why? Because local video storage relies on physical hardware, which means the system is vulnerable to tampering, theft, fire, floods and so on.
Videoloft’s customers often come to us after they’ve suffered an event like this, where their footage has been lost or destroyed. Sadly, by then it’s too late to protect your data.
Also, a cloud-based system can be updated with regular software updates, whereas local recorders need you to perform regular firmware updates. Not carrying out this ongoing maintenance can mean that there’s a risk that your system will be insecure.
The NDAA-compliant Videoloft cloud adapter is manufactured in the UK. Being a software interface between your local cameras – and recorders if you have them – and the Videoloft cloud, it acts as an extra layer of security, as we regularly push software updates without you having to do a thing.
All camera footage is streamed to the Videoloft cloud over encrypted HTTPS channels, where it’s stored at 256-bit encryption.
When you are viewing the video recordings, via your web browser or mobile app, the footage is also routed back to your viewing device over encrypted HTTPS channels.
It’s the same technology that’s used for your online banking, which is reassuring.
Your Videoloft cloud storage is hosted in AWS, which is trusted by 1000s of brands and governments around the world. They maintain very high standards to the levels of ISO27001, SOC 2 and SAS 70.
And we hold ourselves to the highest levels of scrutiny within Videoloft too, carrying out regular internal and external penetration tests (pen testing), which is designed to uncover any security weaknesses. This rigorous testing ensures that our platform maintains impeccable security standards.
Conclusion
So, you can access your NVR remotely, via a web browser or a mobile app. Cloud backup is hugely effective in enhancing security and convenient accessibility to your footage, from wherever you are, viewing all your cameras centrally and safely managing user access.
The right option for you will depend on your individual circumstances, needs and security requirements.
Next steps
Why not experience the benefits of NVR remote access for yourself, by trying Videoloft today?
To get started, you need to order your Videoloft Cloud Adapter and set up your Cloud Plan, which you can do here.
For more information on how cloud CCTV can provide you with the best security solution for your business, get in touch with our friendly, expert team at hello@videoloft.net or, alternatively, arrange a free proof of concept and trial Videoloft for free for 30 days – we’ll do all the hard work so you don’t have to!
