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Camera Audit Checklist: Assess Your Current System
Alec Hemenway 5 min readUpdated December 2025
Why Audit First?
Before talking to any vendor, you need to understand what you have. A camera audit reveals gaps in coverage, aging equipment, storage limitations, and opportunities to leverage existing infrastructure -- saving you time and money in the evaluation process.
Coverage Assessment
- Map all entry/exit points -- are they covered?
- Check parking lots and perimeter coverage
- Verify hallway and common area visibility
- Identify blind spots and dead zones
- Note any cameras that are non-functional or degraded
Equipment Inventory
| Category | Check |
|---|---|
| Camera count and models | List all makes/models and firmware versions |
| Recording system | NVR/DVR/VMS type, age, and capacity |
| Storage | Current retention period and available capacity |
| Network | PoE availability, bandwidth, and switch capacity |
| Cabling | Type (coax vs Cat6) and condition |
Pro Tip
Take photos of your server room, cable runs, and camera mounting locations. These are invaluable when getting vendor quotes and help avoid surprises during installation.
Analytics & Alerting Gap Analysis
- Can you search footage by event type?
- Do you receive real-time alerts for specific events?
- Can staff access live feeds from mobile devices?
- Is footage backed up off-site?
- Do you have any AI or analytics capabilities today?
Want help completing your audit?
Book a Call with Alec