For years, business video surveillance meant one thing: a glossy cloud camera with a monthly bill that never stops. UniFi Protect from Ubiquiti flipped that model — enterprise-grade cameras, AI detection, and recording that live on hardware you own, with no per-camera subscription. For NYC businesses tired of renting their own security footage, it’s become the system of choice. Here’s what it is and whether it fits your space.
What is UniFi Protect?
UniFi Protect is Ubiquiti’s video surveillance platform. Cameras record to a local network video recorder (an NVR or an Enterprise NVR) that you own, managed from a single console alongside your network and door access. There’s no cloud middleman for recording, and remote viewing on the phone app is included — you just log in from anywhere.
Why businesses are switching to UniFi Protect
- No recurring fees. Licensing is $0 whether you run 4 cameras or 400 — no per-camera cloud subscription for standard recording. You pay for hardware once.
- Local storage, your footage. Video stays on your NVR, on your premises. Nothing is hostage to a vendor’s cloud or a lapsed payment.
- On-device AI. Cameras detect people, vehicles, and license plates locally with built-in AI engines — fewer false alerts, faster search through footage.
- One platform. Cameras, network, and door access run from the same UniFi console, so your security and IT aren’t three disconnected systems.
The camera lineup
The current G6 series covers essentially every commercial scenario, and cameras are Power-over-Ethernet — one cable for data and power.
UniFi Protect vs subscription camera systems
The honest trade-off: subscription systems (Verkada and similar) are turnkey but cost you every month, forever. UniFi Protect asks for a bit more up-front design and pays it back for years.
Is UniFi Protect right for your business?
It’s an excellent fit for offices, retail, warehouses, and multi-tenant spaces that want professional coverage without a permanent subscription — especially when paired with the same vendor’s door access. The one thing it rewards is proper design and cabling: cameras are only as good as the network behind them, which is why we design the cabling and camera plan together.
The UniFi Protect hardware we deploy
Every G6 camera shares the same on-device Multi-TOPS AI engine (person, vehicle, animal, and package detection) and runs on a single PoE cable. Here’s the current lineup we spec for NYC businesses, matched to the space (prices approximate).
Recording runs on a UniFi Network Video Recorder (UNVR) you own — or an Enterprise NVR (ENVR) for larger, multi-camera sites — with no per-camera fees.
The best security system isn’t the one with the biggest monthly bill — it’s the one your team actually keeps running for the next ten years.
Deploy UniFi Protect in your NYC space
Solved IT designs, installs, and manages UniFi Protect video surveillance for businesses across NYC, NJ, and CT — positioned to eliminate blind spots, integrated with your door access, and built so your team owns the footage. No monthly camera bill, no cloud lock-in.
Not sure where your current cameras leave you exposed? Start with a free assessment.
