Employee parking lots, supplier areas, vehicle fleets or external warehouses – they all have one thing in common: they are often extensive, difficult to see and deserted after hours. This is precisely what makes them attractive to offenders.
The figures are clear. According to the BKA’s police crime statistics for 2024, around 1.94 million theft offenses were registered in Germany – a third of all crimes. Theft from and of motor vehicles alone was 15.5 percent higher than in 2019. The clearance rate for theft crime is low.
Then there is the vehicle theft itself. According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), 14,162 cars with comprehensive insurance were stolen in Germany in 2024, with losses totaling 293 million euros. The risk for companies with their own parking spaces, vehicle fleets or employee parking lots is therefore real and continues to increase.
Typical damages on company premises are
- Theft of vehicles, trailers and machinery
- Broken into cars (tools, laptops, cargo)
- Fuel theft from tanks of trucks and construction machinery
- Vandalism to vehicles, gates or lighting
- Illegal waste disposal on remote sites
- Unauthorized overnight stays or wild parkers
Security guards vs. video surveillance and the cost-benefit question
If you want to secure your company premises, the first thing you think of is traditional solutions: Security services, patrols, a gatekeeper at the entrance. But the reality is often different. Personnel costs are rising, a shortage of skilled workers is also making itself felt in the security industry, and a security guard cannot be everywhere at once.
Modern parking lot video surveillance provides exactly what security personnel cannot:
- Uninterrupted presence: 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, without breaks
- Faster response: alarm and intervention in seconds instead of minutes/hours
- Complete documentation: every movement, every event automatically logged
- Scalability: one video tower secures areas that would require several security guards
- Predictable costs: flexible rental models instead of long-term personnel contracts
It is important to note that a camera alone does not provide protection. The decisive factor is the combination of detection, evaluation and immediate response by a connected control center.
What modern video surveillance in parking lots needs to do
Not every camera is a security solution. If you really want to protect your company parking lot, you should pay attention to the following functions:
Night vision and weather resistance
The fact is that thefts mainly happen at night. However, high-resolution cameras with infrared technology also provide usable images in darkness, rain or snow.
AI-supported person and vehicle recognition
In conjunction with cloud AI, modern systems reliably distinguish between employees, animals, shadows and actual intruders. This drastically reduces false alarms and is a key factor, because every unnecessary response costs time and money.
Real-time transmission to a control center
Complete documentation
In the event of damage, reliable records are worth their weight in gold for the police, insurance company or internal investigation.
Mobility and self-sufficiency
Mobile video towers are particularly advantageous for temporary storage areas, extensions or outdoor warehouses. Solar systems with fuel cell support also work in winter where no electricity connection is available. This is ideal for all storage, car and truck parking spaces.
Is video surveillance of a parking lot allowed or not? The data protection check
One of the most frequently asked questions from facility managers and managing directors: Is video surveillance in the company parking lot even permitted?
The short answer: Yes, but only under clear conditions. The legal basis is § 4 of the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) in conjunction with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. You must observe the following points:
- Prove legitimate interest: You need a specific reason. This could be proven theft, vandalism or an increased risk situation.
- Data minimization: Only record the areas that really need to be backed up. Public sidewalks, neighboring properties or streets may not be included in the picture.
- Mandatory information: Signs with information about video surveillance, the person responsible and the purpose must be clearly visible at all entrances.
- Keep storage periods short: Usually 72 hours is the norm; if the storage period is longer, this must be justified separately.
- Inform and involve employees: In the case of employee parking lots, informing employees is mandatory, ideally with the involvement of the works council.
- Data protection impact assessment (DPIA): In the case of systematic monitoring of larger areas, a DPIA must be carried out in accordance with Art. 35 GDPR.
Monitoring outside business hours, i.e. at night and at weekends, is much less critical in terms of data protection and in many cases completely sufficient. Look out for providers whose systems pixelate people, store data exclusively on German servers and are GDPR- and KRITIS-compliant.
How to secure your company premises in practice
In our experience, a three-stage concept has proven its worth:
1. identify weak points: Where has there been a break-in in the past? Which areas are difficult to see at night? Where are valuable goods stored?
2. optimize mechanics and lighting: Check fences, secure gates, illuminate dark corners. Visible security is a deterrent.
3. supplement technical surveillance: AI-supported cameras with live transmission to a 24/7 control center close the gaps that personnel cannot fill to cover costs.
Mobile solutions are particularly interesting for medium-sized companies with several locations or changing requirements. They can be installed within a few hours, expanded as required and dismantled again at the end of the project.
Video Guard: mobile video surveillance for parking lots and company premises
We at Video Guard have been securing parking lots, industrial sites and storage areas throughout Germany since 2006. Our mobile video towers, including the solar-powered VIDEO GUARD Solar for locations without a mains connection, offer everything a modern parking lot video surveillance system needs:
- AI-supported person recognition with edge computing directly on the system
- Own 24/7 control center in Germany with German-speaking service
- Real-time loudspeaker response for direct intervention
- GDPR and KRITIS-compliant, ISO 27001-certified, NDAA-compliant technology
- German server location – no backdoors, no data leaks
- Flexible rental models without rigid contract terms
Companies such as Mainova, Deutsche Bahn, Siemens and Strabag already rely on our solutions. You can find specific use cases and customer testimonials in our experience reports.
Conclusion: Effective protection starts with the right combination
Parking lots and company premises are among the most vulnerable areas in companies and at the same time are often the least secure. Security guards alone are neither affordable nor sufficient in the long term. Modern video surveillance in parking lots closes this gap: around the clock, GDPR-compliant and demonstrably effective.
If you really want to protect your premises, combine mechanical security, good lighting and intelligent video surveillance with a connected control center. This allows you to protect vehicles, employees and property without being slowed down by personnel costs and a shortage of skilled workers.
