Adding Axis direct-to-cloud cameras

2026-04-14Last updated

To view, record, and upload video to Cloud Storage, add your Axis direct-to-cloud (D2C) cameras in Security Center SaaS.

Before you begin

  • Add your recording profiles.
  • Ensure that the Axis camera is compatible.

    For supported devices and firmware, see the Security Center SaaS Supported Device List.

  • Ensure that the camera has internet connectivity and that it can reach the required endpoint domains.
  • If the camera was previously enrolled in a system, reset the camera to its factory default settings.
  • Have the device serial number and Owner Authentication Key (OAK) ready. You can find them in the Axis Communications: Owner Authentication Key document included with the device or in the camera web interface.

What you should know

  • Adding an Axis direct-to-cloud camera in Security Center SaaS automatically does three things:
    • Resets the camera to its factory default settings. Any configuration changes made in the camera's web interface before enrollment are lost.
    • Upgrades the device firmware to the latest version.

      Security Center SaaS ensures that all your devices are running the latest firmware, when it becomes available.

    • Generates a username and password for the device and deletes all previous credentials.

      Security Center SaaS manages passwords for you, ensuring that all your devices are protected by strong passwords.

    Direct-to-cloud cameras require one Security Center SaaS camera connection per lens.

  • Axis direct-to-cloud cameras can record video to an SD card for primary storage or failover when the cloud connection is lost. The camera must have firmware version 11.11 or later. For more information about, see About recording profiles.
    Important:
    To use an SD card for primary storage, associate the camera with an edge recording profile. Starting edge recording from the camera's web interface can cause unexpected errors and playback issues.

Procedure

  1. From the Devices page in the Configuration task, click Add device.
  2. Follow the steps in the configuration wizard and click Close.
  3. If you have physical access to the camera, press the control button on the camera body.
    Activation can take up to 10 minutes. It includes installing firmware, downloading updates, and bringing the camera online. You can work on other tasks while activation runs in the background.
  4. If you don’t have physical access to the camera, enable the one-click cloud connection in the software:
    1. On the camera's web page, click System > Network .
    2. Under One-click cloud connection, set Allow O3C to Always and click Save.
    The camera is now available in Security Center SaaS.

After you finish

  • If needed, customize your camera's settings. To change camera settings not available in Security Center SaaS, sign in to the device.
  • To view the camera credentials, select the device and click View credentials on the Overview page of the device side pane.
  • Periodically review your edge storage utilization in the Storage section of your camera Overview tab.
  • Set up SD card wear level monitoring from the Axis camera admin System > Events page. For more information, see the Axis documentation.