IC Realtime CEO and security expert Matt Sailor contributed expert commentary on WABC radio on the limits of doorbell cameras, including recording retention, Wi-Fi risks, and the need for broader camera coverage.
Doorbell cameras have become a common first step for home security, largely because they provide quick visibility at the front door and basic notifications for visitors and package deliveries.
That convenience can create a false sense of coverage. Doorbell units are typically positioned to capture a narrow viewpoint, and they are often used as a primary device even though most properties have multiple approach paths and entry points.
Matt Sailor’s commentary emphasized that doorbell cameras are best understood as a notification tool at a single location, rather than a comprehensive solution for protecting people, property, or assets.
A more resilient approach starts with visibility around the full perimeter. Even smaller properties benefit from multiple viewpoints so that a front door, back door, and other common access areas are not left unobserved.
Recording reliability is another factor that shapes outcomes after an incident. If footage is not retained long enough—or if it depends on a configuration that fails—critical evidence can be lost.
Wireless-only setups can also introduce a single point of failure. If a device relies entirely on Wi-Fi to transmit video, any disruption that prevents uploads can leave gaps when footage is needed most.
Retention settings and storage method matter as much as the camera itself. Sailor noted that cloud-stored footage can preserve evidence when the device is removed, provided the video successfully transmitted before the camera was taken.