There’s been a noticeable shift in the security industry—especially in video surveillance. More and more, surveillance is being treated like a commodity purchase instead of a properly engineered security system. On paper, it sounds efficient: send out a bid, collect a few prices, and pick the lowest number.
In reality, that approach is creating serious risk for businesses—because many of these bids aren’t truly comparable, and the “cheapest” option often comes with hidden costs that show up later in performance, compliance, and cybersecurity exposure.
After 20+ years in security integration and IT, I’ll say what many won’t: a lot of “low bid” surveillance systems are designed to win a price war—not to protect your business. If the bid isn’t based on a real spec, layout, and cybersecurity plan, you’re not comparing security solutions—you’re comparing guesses. —David Schulze, President, Systems Integrations
The low-bid trend: no spec, no layout, no true comparison
We’re seeing bids go out with little to no detail—no camera layout, no coverage requirements, no performance expectations, and no system specifications.
When that happens, contractors are forced to guess. And when contractors guess, the bidding process becomes a race to the bottom.
The result is predictable:
- Coverage gaps that aren’t discovered until after installation
- Cameras chosen based on price, not performance
- Systems that look fine in a quote but fail when you actually need usable video
If one bidder includes a properly designed commercial-grade system and another bidder prices consumer-grade equipment, those bids are not apples-to-apples—even if they both say “16 cameras.”
Consumer-grade cameras are not commercial security systems
A major issue we’re running into is the use of low-cost, consumer-grade cameras that were designed for DIY installation.
These products often:
- Aren’t built for long-term commercial use
- Lack the durability and image performance needed for real investigations
- Have limited configuration and cybersecurity controls
- Depend on consumer cloud services and default settings
For a business, the stakes are higher than “checking the front door from your phone.” You need reliable coverage, consistent retention, and video quality that holds up when you’re dealing with theft, liability claims, HR incidents, or law enforcement.
NDAA compliance isn’t optional for many businesses
Another problem with bargain equipment is that it often isn’t NDAA compliant. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) restricts the use of certain foreign-made telecommunications and video surveillance equipment—and those restrictions have shaped what many organizations can (and should) deploy.
Even if your business isn’t directly required to meet federal standards, non-compliant equipment can create downstream issues:
- Conflicts with customer or vendor requirements
- Problems for regulated industries
- Increased cybersecurity and supply-chain risk
- Limitations when integrating with other commercial security platforms
At minimum, it should be a deliberate decision—not an accidental outcome of choosing the lowest bid.
Cybersecurity: “We’re too small to be hacked” is a dangerous myth
We’ve all heard it: “We’re too small to be hacked.” Unfortunately, attackers don’t care about your company size—they care about opportunity. And surveillance systems are often an easy target when they’re installed with weak passwords, outdated firmware, exposed ports, or consumer-grade cloud dependencies.
All it takes is one incident—one breach caused by poor cybersecurity posture—to cripple operations, expose sensitive information, and create costs that far exceed what was “saved” on the original install.
Video surveillance isn’t just cameras. It’s network-connected computing equipment that lives inside your business.
Licensing and insurance: the risks most buyers don’t see
Another issue we’re increasingly seeing is unlicensed and underinsured companies competing for commercial security work. That’s not just a paperwork problem—it’s a business risk.
If a contractor isn’t properly licensed where required, or doesn’t carry appropriate insurance coverage, you may be exposed to:
- Liability if something goes wrong on-site
- Code or compliance issues that delay projects
- Lack of accountability when systems fail
- Costly rework when installations don’t meet standards
The lowest bid can become the most expensive decision when you’re forced to replace equipment, redo cabling, or address problems after an incident.
What a professional surveillance bid should include
If you’re comparing proposals, push for a bid that’s based on a real design—not a guess.
At a minimum, a commercial video surveillance proposal should include:
- A camera layout showing coverage areas and fields of view
- Camera model specifications and performance expectations
- Storage/retention requirements and calculations
- Network and cybersecurity considerations
- NDAA compliance (where applicable)
- Licensing and insurance documentation
- Clear scope of work, exclusions, and warranty terms
That’s how you get an apples-to-apples comparison—and a system that actually protects your business.
The bottom line: security isn’t a commodity
Video surveillance is part of your security posture and your cybersecurity posture.
When it’s treated as a commodity, businesses end up with systems that are cheaper upfront but riskier long-term—systems that may fail during an incident, introduce cybersecurity exposure, or create compliance and liability issues.
If you’re planning a new surveillance project in South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, or New Castle County, Delaware—or considering upgrades for a manufacturing facility, property management portfolio, or professional office—the best first step is a proper site survey and a design-driven proposal.
If you’d like, we can review your current bid package and help you turn it into a true apples-to-apples comparison—so you can make a decision based on risk, performance, and long-term value, not just the lowest number.