Why Government Agencies Choose Verkada for Physical Security

From coastal barracks and research labs to protected wilderness and multi-office agencies, federal organizations across the United States are modernizing their physical security with Verkada. With needs ranging from securing remote areas to protecting personnel in high-traffic buildings, these agencies trust Verkada’s cloud-based platform to simplify security management, meet compliance requirements, and respond to incidents faster—all while reducing long-term costs.

Below are key reasons why they’re making the switch, with real-world examples.

Remote Access & Mobile Response

Verkada’s cloud-native platform gives government teams the ability to monitor sites, investigate incidents, and manage security systems from anywhere—without the need for port-forwarding, VPNs, or on-premise servers.

• One federal agency uses Verkada across global lodging sites to help front desk staff monitor activity in real time, improving guest and personnel safety with integrated cameras and air quality sensors.

• Another multi-city federal organization is centralizing video monitoring and simplifying footage sharing across remote stations—enhancing response capabilities without increasing staff workload.

Through Command, users can access live feeds and archived footage in seconds, receive real-time alerts for events like motion or unauthorized access, and respond quickly from the palm of their hand. With powerful search tools, teams can filter footage by attributes such as clothing color, vehicle type, or license plate—streamlining investigations and accelerating response times.

NDAA and Federal Compliance

Federal agencies must adhere to strict sourcing and cybersecurity requirements when selecting physical security solutions. Verkada supports these needs with a suite of FY2019 NDAA-compliant, TAA-compliant, and FIPS 140-2 validated products—backed by FedRAMP In Process status at the Moderate Impact level hosted in AWS GovCloud. This allows agencies to deploy a modern, cloud-based system while maintaining alignment with federal procurement and IT security standards.

• One federal property management agency replaced aging NVR-based systems at a D.C. facility with NDAA-compliant cameras—modernizing operations while aligning with sourcing mandates.

• A national scientific agency is upgrading its enterprise security platform using Verkada, citing multi-factor authentication, and GovCloud hosting as essential features for managing security across geographically dispersed sites.

Verkada’s commitment to compliance extends across its platform. Government customers can host their environments in AWS GovCloud, which offers enhanced security controls designed for public sector use. Verkada’s FIPS-validated cameras are equipped with encrypted, tamper-resistant hardware, advanced computer vision capabilities, and full compatibility with Command in GovCloud—delivering a secure, scalable solution for today’s most sensitive federal environments.

Cloud-Based Simplicity (No On-Premise Hardware Needed)

Traditional video security systems rely on NVRs and DVRs—introducing complexity, maintenance costs, and single points of failure. Verkada’s hybrid cloud architecture removes the need for on-premise recorders and servers, reducing physical infrastructure, power consumption, and IT burden while enabling secure, scalable video access through the cloud.

• One federal agency uses Verkada to protect buildings with a centralized platform that eliminates on-site storage and hardware requirements.

• A national defense contractor shifted to Verkada’s cloud-based architecture, saving an estimated $100K–$150K annually in NVR replacement and maintenance costs—now serving as a model for other organizations evaluating ROI-driven upgrades.

With Verkada, cameras come online in minutes using a simple PoE connection and begin recording to onboard storage—no additional software, servers, or complex configuration required. Agencies benefit from automatic firmware updates and a platform that scales effortlessly across sites. By operating at just 20–50 kbps per camera, Verkada supports thousands of devices without overloading the network—while providing predictable, long-term savings with a 10-year warranty and no added fees for updates or cloud user access.

Edge and Expeditionary Deployments

For agencies operating in remote, hard-to-wire, or temporary environments, Verkada makes it easy to deploy physical security without trenching, fixed network infrastructure, or traditional power sources. With GC31 Cellular Gateways, solar panel integrations, and support for SpaceX Starlink, teams can quickly bring Verkada online wherever coverage is needed.

• A federal agency responsible for the conservation of public land uses Verkada’s gateway and cameras to monitor historic sites in real time while minimizing environmental impact.

• A space and aeronautics agency relies on Verkada’s solar-powered deployments to secure over 300 square miles of perimeter, including difficult terrain such as rivers and swamps. These deployments provide enhanced visibility and have accelerated law enforcement response times. AI-powered features allow personnel to identify faces, vehicles, and objects of interest to protect mission-critical infrastructure.

Powered by LTE or solar, Verkada gateways provide a reliable and flexible way to maintain connectivity in hard-to-reach areas. Any Verkada camera can connect via cellular or solar, making it practical to secure locations such as parking lots, streetlight poles, and construction zones. Gateways offer plug-and-play installation, PoE power delivery, and remote configuration through Command. Teams can view deployed gateways on a map, run diagnostics, and receive alerts if connectivity is interrupted.

Scalability Across Sites and Regions

Verkada’s hybrid cloud platform makes it easy for government agencies to scale physical security across departments, campuses, and field offices. With centralized visibility and management, teams can monitor all sites through a single pane of glass—while maintaining the flexibility for local oversight and control.

• One nationwide scientific agency is consolidating its regional systems into a single enterprise-wide view, simplifying access control, video review, and compliance tracking.

• At a coastal barracks facility, a federal agency outfitted its buildings with cameras, sensors, and alarms—and is exploring alarm integrations to improve connectivity with national security monitoring centers.

Verkada’s hybrid cloud architecture simplifies security management by removing the complexity of traditional on-prem systems. Devices store video locally with optional cloud backup, and its bandwidth-efficient design maintains performance even during internet outages. Administrators can adjust settings, monitor device health, and receive tamper or offline alerts—all from a browser or mobile app.

Designed for enterprise scale, Verkada allows agencies to:

• Manage multi-site operations from one dashboard—covering cameras, access control, air quality, visitors, and alarms.

• Automate user management with SCIM, SSO, SAML, and MFA integrations—including support for Okta and Microsoft Entra ID.

• Scale without added infrastructure thanks to plug-and-play devices, 10-year warranties, and no need for costly hardware upgrades.

• Enable AI-powered analytics at scale, such as proactive alerts and visual search tools, delivered through continuous firmware updates.

With pre-built integrations and available APIs, agencies can streamline workflows by connecting Verkada to their broader IT ecosystem—from identity management and GSOC dashboards to analytics platforms and access logs. This flexibility helps ensure your security system keeps pace as your mission evolves.

Looking Ahead

Federal agencies are continually evolving their approach to physical security—seeking solutions that are easy to manage, meet federal standards, and adapt to diverse environments. Verkada is committed to supporting this mission with ongoing innovation and a platform purpose-built for government needs.

From cellular and solar deployments to GovCloud hosting and native video integrations, Verkada’s technology is designed to address today’s challenges while anticipating tomorrow’s. As the threat landscape shifts, government customers can count on Verkada to continue delivering the tools they need to stay secure, connected, and in control.

Contact [email protected] to explore our government-grade solutions and procurement options.