When installing Axis cameras outdoors, it's crucial to protect the equipment from electrical surges, which can occur due to lightning or other power disturbances. Installing a surge suppressor in front of each camera helps prevent damage from these surges, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the camera system. While grounding endpoints and using UPS for the network switch are also good practices, surge protection directly in front of each camera is specifically emphasized in Axis's best practices for outdoor installations.