Why cloud-based surveillance is as secure as on-prem

As a security professional, you know how each part of your security ecosystem needs to function to maintain optimal safety for your organization. Historically, these security elements have been on-premises at your fingertips. Now? The industry wants freedom to access resources like databases and software over the internet – what we have come to know as cloud computing.  While it is exciting to see these advancements in real-time, it is also challenging to turn critical security functions over to the cloud with confidence that they are as secure and reliable as your on-prem technology.

So, what is cloud security? According to IBM, “Cloud security is a collection of procedures and technology designed to address external and internal threats to business security.” In this way, cloud security mirrors our understanding of on-prem security -- which is also a collection of procedures and technologies that address both internal and external security threats. It also helps level the playing field: we know that on-prem surveillance is not without its own unique security challenges, and cloud-based surveillance is the same. The key to becoming an informed consumer who can make optimal decisions for their organization is understanding the security benefits that cloud options bring to the table so they can be properly weighed against on-prem and even hybrid solutions.

While there are compelling arguments for both cloud and on-prem security solutions, you need to cut through noise to clearly evaluate them. Let’s explore 5 key benefits of cloud-based surveillance, specifically for video surveillance as a service (VSaaS), so you are empowered to make the right-for-you choice:  

1. Automatic security updates and patching: One major advantage of cloud-based surveillance is that security updates and patches are applied automatically. This removes the burden on IT teams, who often delay on-prem system updates out of concern for causing system issues. Many organizations avoid patching vulnerabilities simply because the system is working fine, leaving them open to security risks. In the cloud, these updates happen automatically, without requiring IT intervention, ensuring the system is always up to date.
    
2. Dedicated security teams: On-prem security relies heavily on internal IT teams to monitor, detect and respond to security threats. However, many companies have limited resources for monitoring security, making it unlikely that security is their full-time job. In contrast, cloud providers have substantial global teams dedicated to cybersecurity, working 24/7 to detect and even prevent potential security threats.
    
3. Cloud-native design: Security challenges can arise when on-prem systems are adapted for cloud-like features. Many organizations are pressured to make their legacy on-prem solutions feel more cloud-enabled, but these systems were not designed for cloud environments. This kind of forced adaptation can introduce security gaps and inefficiencies if not handled with extreme care. In contrast, cloud-native solutions are built from the ground up with security-first architecture to make them inherently more secure.
    
4. AI powered automation: While traditional on-prem systems rely on manual security updates and human monitoring, cloud solutions can leverage access to large amounts of data, machine learning and AI to begin to predict anomalies and security threats and take actions before they ever occur. The AI-capability in cloud security can learn and adapt much faster than any manual security process ever could.
   
   
5. Failover and data redundancy: One common misconception is that internet outages only affect cloud-based surveillance systems. In reality, on-prem systems also lose remote monitoring capabilities when the connection to a central security hub is disrupted. Whether an organization uses on-prem or cloud-based surveillance, remote access relies on internet availability, meaning that failover mechanisms—such as redundant cloud storage, local backup options and automated syncing—are critical for both cloud and on-premises surveillance systems to maintain business continuity and data security.  In cloud-based surveillance, there are two key components that ensure reliability:  

• • Data distribution and redundancy: In cloud-based surveillance, data can be replicated across multiple secure locations, ensuring that if one location is compromised (e.g., a facility hit by a natural disaster), the data is still accessible elsewhere. With an on-prem system, data could be permanently lost if the storage is damaged. 
     
  • Local storage for continuous operation: If the internet goes down, cloud-based solutions ensure that video monitoring continues on-site, even without connectivity. When the internet is restored, the system automatically syncs with the cloud, ensuring no footage is lost. This means cloud and on-prem systems can operate in much the same way during an internet outage, but cloud has the added benefit of built in data redundancy and automatic failover. 

Now that we understand the baseline security benefits that cloud-based surveillance brings to the table, let’s dig into the specific feature you should look for when selecting a cloud-based surveillance or video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) solution. Here are the most critical security and performance considerations when choosing a VSaaS solution: 

1. End-to-end data encryption
   Security starts with strong encryption protocols that protect video data both in transit (as it moves between cameras, cloud storage and users) and at rest (when stored in the cloud). Look for:
   
   
   • AES-256 encryption for data protection against unauthorized access. 
   • Transport Layer Security (TLS 1.2 or higher) to secure data transmission. 
   • Zero Trust Architecture, ensuring all access requests are verified before granting entry. 
      
2. Advanced access control and authentication
   Unauthorized access is a major threat in cloud security. A strong VSaaS platform should offer:

• • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized logins. 
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to ensure only authorized personnel can access specific footage. 
  • Single Sign-On (SSO) integration with enterprise identity management platforms like Okta or Microsoft Azure AD.

3. Scalability and flexible storage options
   A cloud-based video surveillance system should grow with your organization, supporting multiple locations and evolving security needs. Key features include: 

• • Dynamic scaling to add more cameras, locations or cloud storage without extensive infrastructure upgrades. 
  • Hybrid cloud storage options for redundancy. 
  • Bandwidth management tools to optimize video uploads without overloading network capacity. 

4. Seamless integration with security ecosystems
   A VSaaS solution should work seamlessly with existing security technologies, including: 

• • Access control systems for synchronized security operations. 
  • AI-powered video analytics for real-time threat detection. 
  • IoT sensors and alarms to enhance situational awareness. 
  • ONVIF compliance, ensuring compatibility with a broad range of IP cameras. 
  • Video management systems for optimal hybrid integration with full-featured, on-prem security systems.  

5. Compliance with security and privacy regulations
   Technology providers should empower you to meet the legal and regulatory compliance standards in your country or region. Some key standards to look for include:  

• • GDPR and CCPA privacy standards for handling video data. 
  • SOC 2, ISO 27001 and HIPAA certifications for cybersecurity best practices. 
  • NDAA compliance, ensuring cameras and hardware meet national security standards. 

6. High availability, redundancy and disaster recovery
   Security footage is only valuable if it’s accessible when needed. A reliable cloud-based surveillance system should offer: 

• • Extremely high-reliability uptimes with multi-region data centers for continuous operation. 
  • Automatic failover mechanisms, ensuring recording continues even during network disruptions. 
  • Local edge storage backup options in case of internet outages. 

7. AI-powered analytics and smart video search
   Next-generation VSaaS solutions go beyond just storing video footage—they use AI and machine learning to improve security operations. Look for: 

• • Integrations that support real-time alerts for unauthorized access, unusual activity, or perimeter breaches. 
    
  • Smart video search that leverages AI-based deep learning to search vast amounts of recorded video in seconds. 
  • Heatmaps and occupancy analytics for business intelligence insights. 

8. User-friendly interface and intuitive management
   An effective VSaaS platform should make it easy for IT and security teams to remotely monitor and manage surveillance footage using key features like: 

• • Cloud-based dashboards accessible from any device, anywhere. 
  • Customizable alerts & reporting for quick decision-making. 
  • Remote troubleshooting & firmware updates to ensure system health. 

By prioritizing these critical security and functionality factors, organizations can confidently choose a VSaaS solution that enhances security while ensuring data protection, compliance and operational efficiency.  

After weighing the benefits of cloud-based surveillance and what you should look for in a VSaas solution, you may be wondering what to do if you land in the middle. Perhaps you use an on-prem surveillance model, but your company wants to actively implement features that are more suitable to the cloud? A hybrid model can empower businesses like yours to gradually transition to cloud while maintaining on-prem investments. This approach works well for companies that have already invested in on-prem hardware but want the scalability and automation of cloud solutions. However, it is important to keep in mind that each component of a hybrid system will still carry their own security challenges.

Now that you better understand what you need from VSaaS, you need an actual solution that simplifies video management and empowers you to centralize security operations. Arcules -- Milestone’s VSaaS product – delivers with a secure, accessible and easy-to-scale solution that maximizes your efficiency while reducing complexity. Continue reading to learn more about how Arcules delivers the VSaaS you need to succeed with the cloud: 

Comprehensive security measures: Arcules adopts a defense-in-depth strategy, implementing multiple layers of security controls across its platform. Internally, Arcules fosters a security-first culture, mitigating risks associated with human error—one of the leading causes of security incidents. On the network level, TLS 1.2+ encryption ensures that all data transmission to the cloud is secured from interception and tampering. The platform itself is built on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), benefiting from Google’s six layers of physical and digital security protections. Additional safeguards like multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC) and Single Sign-On (SSO) keep surveillance access tightly controlled. 

Centralized IT controls: Arcules empowers IT teams with a single, intuitive interface to manage surveillance operations with greater efficiency. A unified infrastructure allows teams to oversee multiple locations seamlessly, while a cloud-native design ensures low latency, scalability and continuous updates. IT administrators can run self-service diagnostics, monitor system health in real time and enforce strict role-based access to ensure the right personnel have the appropriate level of control over video assets. 

Data protection and compliance: Security is about more than just keeping bad actors out—it’s also about ensuring data integrity, privacy and compliance with global standards. All stored data is protected with AES-256 encryption, while Transport Layer Security (TLS) safeguards data in transit. Google’s Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), firewall protections and DDoS mitigation further secure network access. Application identity and access management policies provide fine-grained user permissions to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. 

Built-in redundancy and reliability
On-premises solutions come with inherent risks, such as hardware failures, power outages and storage limitations which can lead to lost footage and security gaps. Arcules eliminates these risks with built-in redundancies. Data is distributed across multiple cloud locations, ensuring availability even in case of failures. If a network disruption does occur, Arcules ensures that local storage solutions continue recording until the connection is restored, minimizing downtime and data loss. 

It’s time to move past the myth that on-premises surveillance is more secure than cloud-based solutions. Cloud-based systems are constantly updated, AI-driven and monitored 24/7, providing enhanced security at a level that’s hard to match. While high-security industries like government, law enforcement and critical infrastructure hesitate to rely on cloud providers, even their slowed adoption cannot compete with the advancement of cloud-based surveillance options. While on-prem solutions won’t disappear any time soon, the cloud is rapidly proving to be a resilient, proactive and scalable security model for industries and organizations everywhere.  

If you’re interested in exploring Arcules for your organization, book us for a personalized, one-on-one demo.