Best Indoor & Outdoor Places to Install CCTV Cameras: Malaysia Guide

With 11,334 house break-ins and theft cases reported in 2024, protecting your property has become a necessity rather than an option. While installing CCTV cameras is essential, their true effectiveness depends on strategic placement that maximises coverage and deterrence.

An expensive security camera pointing at a ceiling will not stop intruders. While many property owners focus on installing more cameras, the real impact comes from placing them correctly at high-risk entry points.

In short, strategic positioning matters more than the number of cameras installed. In this guide, you will learn:

• Where to install security cameras for maximum coverage
• Common camera placement mistakes that reduce effectiveness
• How to cover key entry points efficiently
• How SriHome’s CCTV cameras amplify security points

Recommended Residential Outdoor CCTV Placement 

Installing outdoor CCTV at home is not just about coverage, but about accuracy. Poor placement can lead to blind spots, false alerts, or missed events, making everyday activity harder to distinguish from real threats. 

1. Front Door and Main Entrance 

The main entryway is an important location for security camera placement, as it is the 

primary entry point for both visitors and intruders. With an estimated 34% of burglaries occurring through the front entrance, this area is also where package theft and delivery disputes are common, due to Shopee and Lazada deliveries.

What to Capture

• Clear facial features of visitors and intruders
• Approach paths from gates and driveways
• Package delivery and collection activity

Pro tip: Use wide-field-of-view CCTV cameras, such as those with a 170° field of view, to capture visitors and approach paths without additional units. Angle to include vehicles and occupants, enable motion detection and night vision, and maintain overlapping coverage. 

For terrace houses, mount on the first floor and avoid filming neighbours’ property.

2. Driveway and Vehicle Access Points

Driveways and vehicle access points are high-risk areas where suspicious activity often begins or ends. Cameras here should prioritise monitoring behaviour patterns and access routes rather than close-up identification.

What to Capture

• Vehicles stopping or lingering near the property
• Unusual movement outside normal entry hours
• Access routes used to enter or exit the premises
• Movement around gates, barriers, or car porches

Pro tip: Cover driveways and side passages along their full length. Angle cameras to capture both vehicles and occupants, and use dual-lens cameras with panoramic coverage to reduce blind spots with fewer cameras. 

Security cameras with advanced night vision (up to 20 metres) and motion detection provide clear footage, even in low-light conditions. 

3. Back Door and Rear Access

Rear entry points are common access routes for intruders and are often less visible from the street. Cameras here should focus on monitoring hidden approaches and secondary access areas where suspicious activity may go unnoticed.

What to Capture

• Movement around back doors, sliding doors, and kitchen entrances
• Access through garden gates (pagar belakang) and boundary openings
• Activity near back windows, laundry areas, and service corridors
• Blind spots created by extensions, awnings, or tall fencing

Pro tip: Mount cameras in elevated corners or on the first floor (for double-storey terraces) to cover hidden approaches and reduce blind spots.

Use dual units or PTZ lenses with night vision for clear visibility and early detection, and apply privacy masking if needed.

4. Side Access and Narrow Passages 

Side entrances and narrow passages are often overlooked, making them vulnerable points for intruders. Hidden from street view, these areas can create blind spots if not properly monitored.

What to Capture

• Movement along the side lanes (lorong tepi) and service paths
• Activity near meter boxes or utility areas
• Entry or exit through side doors or gates
• Unusual loitering or deliveries outside normal hours

Pro tip: Angle cameras to cover the full passage, capturing both people and objects. For terrace houses, dual-lens cameras with panoramic coverage can reduce the number of cameras needed while maintaining complete visibility.

Top Commercial Outdoor Security Camera Placement 

Planning outdoor security cameras for commercial properties protects assets, staff, and customers. Poor placement creates blind spots and misses critical events. Proper positioning ensures clear footage, wide coverage, and reliable business security.

1. Storefront, Entrance, and Customer Access

Storefronts and main entrances are high-traffic areas where monitoring is vital. Robberies accounted for 4,274 cases alone. Proper camera setup helps deter theft, track visitors, and capture clear identification of anyone entering the premises.

What to Capture

• Customer and visitor facial features
• Entry and exit timestamps
• Street approach and surrounding activity
• Suspicious behaviour patterns

Pro tip: Position cameras to cover both entering customers and street approaches from multiple angles and include views of transaction counters where possible.

2. Car Parks and Perimeter (Offices, Shops, Factories)

Car parks and perimeter areas are high-risk zones for vehicles and property. Vehicle theft is recorded in national crime statistics, making monitoring essential to protect vehicles, secure boundaries, and track access through main gates.

What to Capture

• License plates clearly
• Driver and passenger faces
• Approach paths from street to property
• Motorcycle bays and overnight parking (factories)
• Lorry loading zones

Pro tip: Position cameras to avoid headlight glare and ensure overlapping coverage for complete visibility across large parking and perimeter areas. Advanced PTZ systems allow operators to track movement across large areas without multiple fixed cameras 

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Wondering how a CCTV surveillance system can protect your home and business? Read Why You Need a CCTV Surveillance System for Your Home and Business to find out.

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Best Indoor Locations for Surveillance Camera Placement

Proper indoor camera placement monitors high-traffic areas, protects valuable assets, and enhances safety without invading privacy. Poor positioning creates blind spots and fails to capture key events.

1. Entrance Halls and Staircases

Entrance halls and staircases are natural choke points where household movement meets. Cameras here ensure clear identification and full coverage of key traffic areas.

What to Capture

• Facial identification of everyone passing through
• Entry and exit activity with timestamps
• Full corridor and staircase coverage
• Movement between rooms

Pro tip: Mount cameras at the top of stairs or hallway endpoints for maximum visibility. Avoid window glare and angle cameras to cover corridors and living spaces. 

For homes with valuables, frequent visitors, or elderly family members (with consent), first-floor mounting can improve coverage and reduce blind spots.

2. Home Office or Study Room

Home offices and study rooms often contain valuables, sensitive documents, and electronics, making them important areas to monitor.

What to Capture

• Entry and exit points
• Desk and computer areas
• Movement within the room

Pro tip: Mount cameras in a corner, facing the door or the opposite wall, to cover the workspace. Use wide-angle lenses to capture the full room without blind spots.

In double-storey homes, first-floor placement can improve visibility of approaches and shared indoor spaces.

Suitable Commercial Indoor Spots to Place CCTV

1. Sales Floor, Dining Area, and Public Zones

High-traffic areas like sales floors and dining spaces are where staff and customer movement converge. Monitoring these zones helps deter theft, ensure safety, and clearly capture incidents.

What to Capture

• Customer and staff activity
• Entry and exit points
• Crowd flow and loitering
• Suspicious behaviour patterns

Pro tip: Panoramic lenses minimise the number of units needed in open-plan spaces. Angle cameras to avoid blind spots between displays or seating areas and ensure overlapping views with entrances.

2. Cash Register, Payment Counter, and High-Value Display Areas

Counters and high-value displays are prime targets for theft, fraud, or disputes. Monitoring these areas ensures accountability and deters criminal activity.

What to Capture

• Customer faces and staff interactions
• Transactions and payment activity
• Cash handling and product removal
• Suspicious or unusual behaviour

Pro tip: Position cameras to capture counters and the customer approach clearly.

3. Warehouse, Back Office, and Storage Areas

Warehouses, back offices, and storage zones house inventory, sensitive documents, and equipment. These areas are vulnerable to internal theft and unauthorised access.

What to Capture

• Staff movement and access points
• Inventory handling
• Storage racks and sensitive equipment
• Loading and unloading activity

Pro tip:  Cover aisles and storage racks with wall-mounted or ceiling cameras. Use overlapping units to reduce blind spots.

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Wondering about the differences between indoor and outdoor security cameras? Check out our article.

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Legal and Privacy Requirements for CCTV in Malaysia

Understanding your legal responsibilities under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA) ensures compliance while maintaining effective security.

What to Do

• PDPA registration: Register with the Personal Data Protection Commissioner (PDPC)  if cameras capture public areas or neighbours’ property.
• Residential: Only film your own property.  
• Commercial: Display “CCTV in operation” signs.
• Data Retention: Keep footage for around 30 to 90 days and delete when no longer needed.
• Employee Monitoring: Inform staff; never record toilets, prayer rooms, or changing areas.

Privacy-Friendly Features

• Mask sensitive areas with privacy zones
• Record only specific motion zones
• Adjust angles to avoid overspill

Pro tip: Respect boundaries, inform people, and use cameras responsibly for both safety and compliance.

Camera Height, Angle, and Placement: Quick Guide

Getting your camera positioning right ensures clear, usable footage indoors and outdoors. Use this quick reference for optimal setup:

Smart adjustment: SriHome PTZ cameras allow remote angle changes, letting you fine-tune positioning without remounting.

Testing and Optimising Your Security Cameras

Verify coverage under real conditions to ensure effective monitoring.

Verification Checklist:

• Route assessment: Review live footage while walking all property access points to confirm recognisable detail at key distances
• Recognition test: Ensure individuals can be identified clearly, beyond mere detection
• After-dark evaluation: Check night recordings for infrared reflection, headlight glare, or security light interference
• Weather durability: Examine footage after heavy rain or strong winds  to identify any lens issues
• Perimeter audit: Walk boundaries while monitoring feeds to confirm no gaps between overlapping coverage
• Real-world monitoring: Observe actual activity over 5 to 7 days to spot practical issues, such as delivery obstructions or wind-affected branches

Adjustment Timing:

• First 48 hours: Minor angle tweaks
• After one week: Reposition for any blind spots
• Seasonal changes: Adjust for sun angle variations
• Vegetation growth: Trim trees or bushes that block views

Pro tip: Smart low-light optimisation and adjustable IR on SriHome cameras ensure consistent clarity from day to night without manual intervention.

Common CCTV Installation Mistakes

Even the best cameras fail if installed incorrectly. Avoid these common errors:

• Camera mounted too high: Mounting overhead captures only the top of individuals’ heads, preventing clear facial recognition
• Dead zones below units: Areas directly underneath go unmonitored without proper tilt
• Environmental neglect: Sun glare, heavy rain, and humidity blur footage; use weatherproof cameras and strategic angles
• Single-camera reliance: Plan overlapping coverage to maintain monitoring if a unit is blocked or vandalised
• Architectural shadows: Walls, fences, and extensions create blind spots; adjust angles or add extra cameras
• Object obstruction: Keep plants, air-conditioning units, and storage containers clear of views
• Prioritising aesthetics over function: Coverage takes priority over discreet appearance
• Skipping verification: Walk all access points and review footage day and night before finalizing
• Network or signal issues: Wireless systems may fail in multi-storey or large properties; use boosters or wired connections
  

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Explore what other features to look for when choosing a security camera in our guide.

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Maximise Surveillance with SriHome

Having security cameras for your home or business is only the starting point. Strategic placement makes the difference between basic monitoring and reliable protection that supports long-term safety and insurance requirements.

SriHome Malaysia’s PTZ and dual-lens CCTV cameras enhance surveillance by providing wider coverage, flexible viewing angles, and clearer visibility across key areas of your property. This ensures fewer blind spots and more dependable monitoring, day and night.

Why choose SriHome:

• Easy plug-and-play installation
• No additional setup costs
• Versatile connectivity with HDMI and VGA ports
• Wireless flexibility for selected models 
• Monitor anytime via the app 

Check out SriHome's Shopee page to explore smart security solutions designed for effective coverage, easy installation, and greater peace of mind.