The reasons for installing cctv cameras are the same whether you own a home or business. Protecting your property, family and employees is probably at the top of your list of priorities. You're not the only one that feels that way. Sales of home and business security systems have exploded in recent years. Even before 9/11, security system sales were on the rise. After the terrorist attacks, sales of home and business security cameras rose by as much as 20% over the course of three months.

The rise in sales of security cameras is justified by the results. Police in most major cities say that the chances of a break-in or robbery are nearly cut in half by the presence of an obvious security camera on the premises. Business owners report that theft by both customers and employees is nearly eliminated when they install the right security camera system. And we've certainly all seen the dramatic footage taken by home security video cameras that have led to the conviction of criminals who have abused children, burglarized homes or otherwise broken the law.

What can security cameras do for your peace of mind?

Secure Your Business with a Security Camera System

You've seen them ? the ubiquitous, all-seeing eyes of a video surveillance system in local stores. The most obvious commercial use for a security camera is to prevent loss of merchandise through shoplifting and theft. It's far from the only way that security cameras are used in business, though.

Security cameras can log transactions at the cash register or ATM, monitor remote areas of the plant for safety reasons, monitor the premises after hours and ensure that your employees are treating both you and your customers fairly. Evidence taken from security camera systems has been used as evidence in sexual harassment suits, burglary trials, even murder trials. The evidence isn't always used to convict, either. In one case, the security videotapes from security video camera covering an employee parking lot were used to prove that the car of an employee could NOT have been used in a hit and run accident that took place several blocks away ? they showed the car parked in its usual spot every 2 minutes throughout the entire day.

Business owners have installed security cameras at cash registers, overlooking dressing rooms, in parking garages and on loading docks. A security camera in the elevator greatly increases the safety of a building. Security cameras have been used to monitor work progress at construction sites and aid managers in making decisions about unexpected occurrences that may keep a project from completing on time.

Protect Your Family with a Home Security Camera System

According to police in any major city, the mere presence of a home security camera can reduce the chances that your home will be burglarized by as much as 80%. In addition, security cameras can monitor an infant's room, identify callers at the front door and allow you to view what's going on at home when you're away at the office ? or on a longer trip. Combined with remote monitoring, a security camera in your home can help alert police to a break in at your home, and provide evidence for conviction if one should happen.

There are a wide variety of security camera systems to choose from for either home or business. A consultation with a professional security installation company can help you decide which is the right one for your needs.

Owen Gerrard has written articles for home and business security for sites such as security cameras and cctv cameras.