Top 5 Strategic Spots to Install Security Cameras for Your Business

Installing security cameras is one of the most effective ways to protect a business—but camera placement is just as important as the cameras themselves. Poorly positioned cameras can miss critical incidents, create blind spots, or fail to provide usable evidence when it matters most.

Strategic security camera placement helps deter crime, improve operational visibility, and enhance the safety of employees and customers. In this guide, we break down the top five most effective locations to install security cameras in a commercial environment, along with professional insights to maximize system performance.

1. Building Entrances and Exits

Entrances and exits are the highest-priority locations for any commercial security camera system. These areas capture the flow of employees, customers, and visitors, making them essential for incident review and access accountability.

Best practices for entrance cameras:

• Position cameras at face height or slightly above for clear identification

• Use wide-angle lenses to cover doorways and approach paths

• Enable motion analytics for after-hours activity detection

Why it matters:
Clear footage of everyone entering and exiting your building is invaluable for theft prevention, investigations, and liability protection.

2. Cash Handling and Transaction Areas

Any area where payments are processed—cash registers, point-of-sale counters, or payment kiosks—is considered high risk. Security cameras in these locations protect staff, deter internal and external theft, and help resolve transaction disputes.

Best practices for cash areas:

• Install dome cameras overhead to capture transactions and activity

• Avoid obstructing views of screens or hands

• Integrate video with POS timestamps where possible

Why it matters:
High-quality footage in payment areas provides objective evidence in cases of fraud, theft, or customer disputes.

3. Storage Rooms and Inventory Areas

Stock rooms, warehouses, and storage areas often contain high-value goods and are common targets for shrinkage. Surveillance in these areas helps monitor inventory movement and prevent unauthorized access.

Best practices for storage areas:

• Mount cameras in corners for maximum coverage

• Use high-resolution cameras for detailed identification

• Enable night vision or low-light performance for after-hours monitoring

Why it matters:
Monitoring inventory areas reduces losses and supports internal accountability without disrupting operations.

4. Parking Lots, Garages, and Exterior Perimeters

Security does not stop at the front door. Parking lots, loading zones, and building perimeters are frequent locations for vandalism, theft, and accidents—especially after business hours.

Best practices for outdoor cameras:

• Use weather-rated cameras designed for Canadian climates

• Ensure adequate lighting for nighttime visibility

• Deploy wide-angle or multi-camera coverage for large areas

Why it matters:
Exterior cameras enhance employee and customer safety while providing critical footage for insurance and incident reporting.

5. Hallways and Common Areas

Interior common areas such as hallways, reception spaces, and shared work zones provide valuable visibility into daily operations and movement patterns.

Best practices for common areas:

• Focus on high-traffic pathways

• Avoid private or sensitive areas such as washrooms or change rooms

• Pair surveillance with access control where appropriate

Why it matters:
Cameras in common areas help improve safety, resolve disputes, and document incidents without invading privacy.

Professional Tips for Effective Security Camera Placement

To get the most value from your surveillance system, consider the following:

• Choose the right camera type: Dome, bullet, PTZ, or wide-angle based on environment

• Prioritize resolution: Higher resolution equals clearer evidence

• Balance visibility: Visible cameras deter crime; discreet cameras capture behaviour

• Integrate systems: Combine cameras with alarms, access control, and networking

A professionally designed system ensures coverage without blind spots or compliance issues.

Commercial Security Camera Solutions by Maple Link Technologies

At Maple Link Technologies, we specialize in commercial security camera system design, placement, and integration across Toronto and the GTA. Our approach goes beyond camera installation—we engineer surveillance systems that align with your business layout, risk profile, and operational needs.

From strategic camera placement to clean installations and scalable infrastructure, we help businesses deploy surveillance systems that actually perform.

Final Thoughts

Security cameras are only as effective as their placement. By installing cameras in the right strategic locations, businesses can reduce risk, improve accountability, and create safer environments for everyone on site.

If you’re planning a new installation or reviewing an existing system, Maple Link Technologies can help you optimize coverage and performance.

Contact Maple Link Technologies today to schedule a professional security camera assessment for your business.