IP cameras are widely used for surveillance, offering great video quality and remote viewing. However, as you record more, you need a reliable storage solution. That's where IP camera cloud storage comes in. It's an easy way to store, access, and manage your surveillance videos.
In this guide, we'll explore IP camera cloud storage,cost, risks and free solutions. Keep reading!
IP Camera Cloud Storage: How Does It Work
IP camera cloud storage uses Internet to store your encrypted IP camera recordings in the off-site storage software, namely the cloud server, so that you can view, playback, delete and download the recordings from your cloud IP camera cloud as long as there is network.
And the network plays a central role in the cloud storage for security cameras.
For example, the wireless security camera cloud storage uses WiFi network to send video recordings and live feeds to the cloud server, simple and convenient. And the Argus 3 Pro is a highly demanded model that works seamlessly with the Reolink Cloud.
No WiFi network? No worries.
You can still have the IP camera cloud storage with cellular cloud security cameras which use 3G/4G data to send streams over the net, offering full functions and benefits of CCTV camera cloud storage.
Wire-Free 4G LTE PT Security Camera
No WiFi or Power Connection Needed; Rechargeable Battery or Solar Powered; Person/Vehicle Detection, 355° Pan & 140° Tilt, 2K Super HD.
How to Access IP Camera Cloud Storage
“So how do I access the security camera with cloud storage to view and to reset or delete recordings?”
It’s easy! You don’t have to do anything other than signing into your account via the cloud security camera app or the cloud website, after you bind cameras to the cloud. And then you can see everything on its cloud section, view and playback those cloud recordings wherever you are.
For example, there are only 3 steps to set up and access Reolink Cloud:
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Create an account on Reolink official website and add cameras on Reolink App.
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Come to Device Settings -> Could Storage page to set up the CCTV cloud storage.You are required to log in with the Reolink account you created before, and choose a camera cloud storage plan. Just follow the on-screen prompt and you can bind the camera to CCTV camera cloud easily.
- Schedule your IP camera cloud recording, like enable and disable automatic uploading to the CCTV cloud storage and video resolution.
Voila! You got a cloud storage camera now which will upload videos to the cloud right away!
Note: Remember that battery powered cameras only record motion events from your IP camera to cloud storage in order to save the battery life. You will not want large files on the cloud storage for CCTV anyway.
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IP Camera Cloud Storage Safety Issues
How secure are the videos stored at the cloud storage forsecuritycamera? Is data encrypted at rest? Who has access to the footage? What if someone hacks into it?
Privacy and safety issues of IP camera cloud storage are always a big concern. And the best solution to avoid these problems is to choose a reputable security camera brand with advanced encryption technology.
And the quality cloud IP cameras will enable Transport Layer Security (TLS), store videos in Amazon S3 (the industry’s most-trusted service), and transmit videos through HTTPS (the protocol to ensure your data is encrypted and transferred over a secure connection).
And those trusted cloud storage camera manufacturers are more devoted to keeping the servers up to date with security patches and operating system updates. They will update the software regularly on their software pages so that the customers can always keep up-to-date.
Actually, the biggest risk of the intercepting things is that users don’t change their default account password like admin or 12345. No kidding. A LOT of users just leave it unchanged and end up being the victim of the online hacking.
So do remember to create a strong password to keep your cloud IP camera safe.
Best Cloud Storage IP Cameras Recommendations
let's delve into some recommendations for the best options available in the market. These cloud storage IP cameras offer various features and benefits to cater to your specific surveillance needs.
Wireless Cloud Storage IP Cameras - Reolink Argus 3 Pro
If you are looking for a quality cloud IP camera that has the footage secured in cloud without forcing you into monthly subscriptions. This is it.
Plus, this best selling wire-free cloud IP camera supports both cloud and local storage, so you’ll have no worries for missing a thing, even if your device is stolen or Micro SD card is broken. You can just access the recordings anytime anywhere on the cloud.
Best Wireless Cloud IP Camera
Key features:
- 2K 4MP resolution, industry leading clarity in battery cameras
- 100% wire-free, easy to install (in 5 minutes) and remove
- Color night vision, offering more details at night
- Cloud IP camera storage enables you to access the recordings anywhere via Reolink App
PoE cloud storage camera - RLC-1224A
If you are looking for a PoE cloud storage camera with affordable price tag, this is it.
Plus, it is super easy to set up and configure the IP camera cloud. Just sign up your account on the free cloud IP camera software Reolink App, and that’s all.
Key features:
- 12MP resolution, industry leading clarity in PoE cameras
- Easy to install (in 5 minutes) and remove
- Color night vision, offering more details at night
- Cloud IP camera storage enables you to access the recordings anywhere via Reolink App
12MP UHD Dome Camera with Color Night Vision
Person/Vehicle Detection; 12MP Ultra HD; Color Night Vision; Remote Control; Two-Way Audio; IP66 Certified Weatherproof.
IP Camera Cloud Storage Alternatives
If you want to find free cloud storage for IP cameras, here are 3 alternatives you may select.
Local storage
If you want free storage methods, then the local storage may suit you better with no hacking risks. You know, saving to the SD card or NVR locally also offers remote control over the recordings on your phone, PC and laptop anywhere, as I’ve mentioned.
Here I’ve rounded up a comparison chart between the IP camera cloud storage and local storage to help you reach a final decision.
Actually, local storage often works with the free FTP online cloud storage, meaning the videos can be automatically uploaded to your PC online, and therefore you don’t need to worry about the stealing issue after you set up the IP camera FTP server.
And personally, I favor the security camera that opens both local and CCTV cloud storage options to users, like the two above, so that you may choose whichever you need according to your monitoring situations and security needs.
FTP Storage for IP Cameras
FTP storage for IP camera is a great substitute of the free IP camera cloud storage and the NVR security camera system cloud storage.
After you set up the FTP storage for IP camera, all the motion event recordings (picture or video) will be automatically uploaded online, so the thieves can never take your evidence again.
Here is how you can set up the security camera with cloud storage via FTP. Take Reolink cameras as an example:
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Download the Cerberus FTP Server and install it.
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Configure the FTP service. (See detailed guide here.)
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Setup the FTP settings on your camera. (Follow the detailed steps here.)
Actually, the free FTP storage is most commonly used, as a perfect substitute, in the non-battery powered cameras, since they are less likely to be supported by the CCTV cloud storage in manufacture.
You may take a look at the Reolink RLC-810A, the hottest seller with free FTP online storage, offering you the best security as well as convenience, at a highly affordable price.
Reolink RLC-810A daytime video:
3rd Party IP Camera Cloud Storage
Chances are that your IP camera cloud storage is not enabled, but still you want to save camera recordings to the cloud. In this case, you’ll need the help of either a 3rd party CCTV cloud storage software.
And here are two things you need to check before signing a contract with any 3rd party IP camera cloud storage platforms:
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Make sure your security camera is supported by the 3rd party cloud IP camera software. Some cloud IP camera software only support H.264 compression and RTSP protocol.
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Check the resolution output of the cloud IP camera app and whether they will support both image and video recordings to make the best use of the CCTV cloud storage.
Conclusion
IP camera cloud storage enables you to access to your camera recordings anywhere, but it’s not the only option. If you want remote viewing and playback function, you don’t need to bind your IP camera to cloud storage. Any online IP camera can do that easily via the phone app, PC or web.
If you have any other questions concerning the surveillance camera cloud storage, you may leave a comment down below! Whether you are looking for an outdoor security camera with cloud storage or WiFi security camera cloud storage, we will try to find the best solution for you.