CCTV Security Cameras – Your 24/7 Watchdog

Security Camera Systems, Video Surveillance Systems or Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems are all common names used for electronic systems comprised of security cameras, video recorders and other equipment used in viewing and recording events in facilities and more. These systems are primarily used for protection of assets and personal safety which include the following:

• Perimeter Surveillance

• Access Control

• Vehicle Number Plate Recognition

In addition to the most common uses of CCTV Systems, as mentioned above, law enforcement agencies and large organizations may require this technology to gather evidence and/or add legitimacy to decision-making processes. To a lesser extent, even small and medium size businesses may require the use of CCTV Systems. If you look around, you’ll find installations in court rooms, identification rooms, community centers, detention centers, factory floors, banking institutions, amusement parks, and even in corporate board rooms.

Depending on the purpose of your CCTV installation, you may find that your surveillance and protection can be enhanced by integrating with other security process and systems such as officers at access points and perimeter patrols. Use at business parks, hotels, hospitals, golf estates and theme parks immediately come to mind.

Real Time viewing of CCTV footage is necessarily associated with a Control Room or a Security Center. Multiple cameras will be linked to a control room where a security operator will monitor incidents and assess appropriate responses required. There has been lots of progress specific to camera activation upon detection of movement. This allows the security operator to monitor multiple cameras at once with immediate alerts for areas requiring attention. Alternatively, you may have the need to look at footage after the fact, after it has been recorded. Monitoring staff on a factory floor could be an example of a typical application.

Although the first CCTV security cameras and systems were limited and costly, today’s solutions are applied to use in medical imagery, robotics, traffic control, marketing, production line monitoring and much, much more. These systems fall into three different types: analog, digital, and network.

Before deciding on the implementation of CCTV in your home or designated workplace, it is important to identify the purpose of the project as this will determine what equipment will be required. There’s no sense to buying too much or too little equipment to fit the job. You should think about answering the following questions:

• How important is real time viewing? That is seeing the current images?

• Will the CCTV System be backed up by a control room?

• Will the CCTV System be linked to other networks and/or security monitoring systems such as alarms?

• Is the CCTV System being applied as a deterrent?

• Do you anticipate the need to integrate with other security systems such as security guards, a digital door lock system, or an industrial monitoring system?

• Is the CCTV System required for the gathering of evidence?

• Will CCTV footage be required for criminal procedures if need be?

• Is the project of clandestine nature?

The success to any type of implementation, especially when it involves technology is a solid definition of people, process, and product. The importance of establishing synergy between your security policies, system functionalities, and employees (or family members) cannot be over elaborated. Disregard for this step can lead to misconceptions and disillusionment. Without proper planning and coordination, between people, process, and product, you could face catastrophic results, especially relative to the results you seek and the financial implications they could cause.

A classic example of the importance of synergy between policies and systems is an automatic fire alarm system. This system is designed to detect the unwanted presence of fire by monitoring environmental changes associated with combustion. Whether at home, in an office, or a factory floor, well documented procedures signal a series of actions you take upon hearing (or seeing) fire alarms. In addition to evacuation, the alarm may summon emergency services, and to prepare the structure and associated systems to control the spread of fire and smoke.

It’s important to note that a fire alarm notification appliance may use audible, visible, tactile, textual, or even olfactory stimuli to alert occupants of potential danger. Audible or visible signals are the most common notifications and use of speakers to deliver live or precorded messages is common.

Although the product selection is vast and there are hundreds of suppliers, rest assured there is an ideal system with even its minimum configuration to meet your financial and security needs. Design your surveillance system and rest assured that you have a 24 hour, 7 day a week watchdog looking after your family and business.

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