Nancy Guthrie case puts spotlight on home security systems, different technologies
The disappearance of "Today" host Savannah Guthrie's mother has put a spotlight on home security systems, and what type of security cameras you should be looking at for your own home.
Doorbell cameras are seemingly on every house and are meant to provide peace of mind, but in reality they are just a piece of true home security.
"Everybody thinks of security now as just a camera, but it's a multi-layered approach," said Trevor McEnaney of Knight Security Systems.
McEnaney likens home security to the wild west, with homeowners often unaware of, or unfamiliar with, different technologies.
Some inexpensive Wi-Fi-based cameras run on batteries that have to be replaced.
In the case of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, there was a week-long delay in finding footage of a suspect because the nest-branded camera did not have a cloud storage plan -- a subscription users have to pay for.
"Seven days, 30 days, 120 days. You can archive that as well. We would recommend that as you get a critical event, download it to your device," McEnaney said.
But the fact that the video was restored at all is also revealing. It's likely a tradeoff for the device's low purchase price.
"They're collecting data that allows them to do a number of things with that data, whether it's sharing it for marketing purposes or product development," McEnaney said.
He says the ideal setup consists of cameras that record locally to a hard drive but also incorporates cloud backup in the event the recorder is damaged or stolen. He describes cameras with edge technology as the best of both worlds.
"So, if there is an interruption in the internet service, this keeps recording. And then when it comes back online it'll push whatever events that occurred while the internet was down," McEnaney said.
Victor Dadario is fully aware of the importance of cloud storage backing up the cameras at his home.
"It gives me surveillance on my property while I'm not in the house, and even when I am in the house, I could see who's around," he said. "So I feel it adds a level of security."
A multi-layered system can cost over $1,500, though for many, that's money well spent.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
