Cameras for use in a video surveillance system that is controlled by a video management system (VMS) may have a variety of operating characteristics and capabilities. For a VMS to communicate effectively with each camera, a file must be created for use by the VMS to that specifies how to connect with and operate the camera according to the camera's available and functioning capabilities. The verification of the camera's available/functioning capabilities and the creation of the file is a resource-consuming process known as certification. Disclosed herein are systems and methods that automate the certification process to make certifying cameras more efficient and cost effective.