This article was previously published on August 7, 2018 and updated for comprehensiveness and accuracy. 

Key Points: 

• Severe weather causes billions in home damage each year, making it crucial to protect outdoor security equipment from storms, wind, and extreme temperatures.
• Proper equipment housing and weatherproofing play a major role in protecting cameras, sensors, and other devices from moisture, wind impact, and temperature extremes.
• Mounting outdoor devices on stable, permanent structures greatly improves durability and performance during high winds and severe storms.
• Understanding how weather impacts your equipment empowers you to take preventative steps that keep your home protected year-round. 

No matter where you live, you’ve experienced severe weather. From lightning storms to tornadoes and hurricanes, weather can be extremely damaging. In 2025, there have already been 39 storms that have totaled in over $1 billion in damages each, illustrating how much extreme weather now impacts homes and property. 

Your outdoor security equipment often sits exposed right where the weather hits the hardest. Without proper protection, severe storms can damage or disable the very devices meant to protect your home. 

Below, we outline three best practices you can follow to protect your outdoor security equipment, as well as how a security expert can help you strengthen your setup. 

1. Encase Equipment with Proper Weather-Rated Housing 

Outdoor security devices are built to withstand normal conditions and most weather events, but severe weather can push them beyond their limits. Lightning, heavy rain, hail, snow, ice, and wind-driven debris can all penetrate vulnerable equipment and lead to costly failure. 

The most effective solution is to house outdoor equipment in protective enclosures rated for extreme conditions. 

Here’s what you can do: 

• Moisture protection: Even brief water intrusion can corrode circuits or cause malfunctions down the road. Proper housings keep rain, snow, and condensation out.
• Impact resistance: Hardened housings help protect outdoor cameras and sensors from hail dents or debris impact during high winds.
• Temperature regulation: Some housings include insulation or heat-dissipating designs, which help devices operate through freeze–thaw cycles or prolonged heat. 

What to look for: 

• IP65 or higher rating: This indicates strong dust and water protection.
• UV-resistant materials: Sunlight can degrade plastics and seals over time if they’re not designed for outdoor exposure.
• Drainage and seal maintenance: Check housings seasonally to clear condensate and ensure tight seals. 

Investing in the right housing means your equipment isn’t fighting the elements alone, and you won’t be paying to replace it after every major storm. 

2. Waterproof Cables and Wires  

While it’s easy to focus on the devices themselves, cables and connection points are where many weather problems begin. Exposed wires or improperly sealed connections provide open pathways for water and corrosion. Once water sneaks in, equipment can fail quickly. 

Best Practices for Weatherproof Wiring: 

• Outdoor-Rated Cables: Use cables designed for outdoor use, with jackets that resist moisture and UV degradation.
• Sealed Connections: Apply weatherproof connectors or gel-filled boots specifically made to keep moisture out of splice points.
• Protective Conduit: Running cables through rigid plastic or metal conduit adds a physical shield and keeps critters, water, and debris away from delicate wires. 

Reduce Exposure with Wireless Options: 

For homeowners who want to minimize cable-related vulnerabilities altogether, wireless outdoor cameras offer an effective alternative. Since wireless devices don’t rely on long exterior cables, they eliminate many of the common failure points caused by weather exposure. With fewer exposed components, and only a protected power source to manage, wireless setups can significantly reduce the risk of moisture intrusion and cable corrosion. 

Wireless cameras aren’t a replacement for proper weatherproofing across your system, but they do give you more flexibility and fewer outdoor wiring concerns, especially in areas with harsh seasonal weather. 

3. Mount Equipment on Solid Structures. Don’t Rely on Temporary Supports 

No matter how rugged the housing or encased the cabling, equipment mounted on unstable or unsuitable surfaces is far more vulnerable to impact during severe weather. 

Devices mounted on flimsy posts, lightweight poles, or unstable landscaping features are far more likely to shift, fall, or break in strong winds and hailstorms. What’s more, metal poles can attract lightning strikes, a serious risk for any electronics attached to them. 

How to Mount for Maximum Stability: 

• Attach devices to permanent structures like your home’s exterior wall, garage, shed, or other stable buildings.
• Use vibration-dampening mounts where possible to reduce stress during high winds.
• Avoid metal poles or conductive materials that can attract lightning or cause electrical surges unless lightning protection is professionally installed. 

Proper mounting is not just structural; it’s strategic. Solid placement helps ensure that when extreme weather hits, your security system endures, maintaining surveillance and safety when you need it most. 

Why a Security Expert Matters: 

Mounting isn't just about placing a camera where it “looks right.” A security professional can assess the strength and integrity of the surface where equipment will be installed, as well as how environmental factors like wind direction, rainfall, and debris patterns impact the placement. 

They also understand the correct hardware needed to secure devices on different building materials and the best angles and locations to maximize coverage while minimizing weather exposure. By consulting an expert, you ensure your devices are anchored to safe, stable, and structurally sound mounting points that provide the best protection  

Need Help Security Equipment? Partner with a Professional 

Severe weather can hit without warning and your security equipment needs to be prepared. Whether you need help installing new equipment, upgrading outdated devices, or repairing systems after a storm, Vector Security has you covered. 

Our experts ensure your indoor and outdoor security technology is placed, protected, and built to withstand the toughest weather conditions. When you partner with Vector Security, you’re getting a team committed to keeping your home secure year-round. 

Ready to reinforce your home’s security? Connect with Vector Security today and let our professionals handle the rest.