Closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras are everywhere these days. They keep
watch on consumers as they shop, bank and drive around town. 
The electronic eyes police the streets for robberies, attacks and other
illegal activities. In schools, factories, airports and workplaces, they monitor
for problems and hazards more astutely than any human security guard can.
You’ve probably seen footage from a CCTV on the evening news
when it’s caught a crime in action.
There are reasons for any business in any industry to invest in a CCTV system.
Besides keeping an eye out for crime, they can deter unsafe activities, disruptive
behaviors or illegal shenanigans. You can’t be dozens of places at once, but a
CCTV system can.
What is CCTV?
A closed-circuit TV system captures video from a camera and transmits the signal to a specific
monitor bank of monitors or a video recorder. Unlike regular television, which is broadcast
widely over the air, CCTV signals are only available to a specific destination.
CCTV systems have become commonplace in recent years. Cities such as New York and London
have cameras set up in subways and on street corners. Nearly every store in the United States
actively records the movements of shoppers. Home owners, fearful of burglars, are setting up
cameras so they can capture any problems. At schools and the workplace, cameras are constantly
on the lookout for suspicious or dangerous behaviors and illegal activities.
Why does my organization need CCTV?
You can’t be everywhere. Your CCTV system can. You should consider CCTV if you are concerned
about theft, inappropriate or suspicious behaviors, or simply want to discourage such activities.
Also consider how your organization will monitor video feeds from CCTV cameras. Will security
guards or existing staff be expected to monitor the feeds 24/7/365? Or do you only need to record
the feeds in case the video is needed for future reference? If so, how far back should the video archives go?
In addition, several decisions must be made before your order a CCTV system. For example, high-quality
video will capture the facial detail of anyone caught on camera. But such video needs more expensive
cameras, and high-resolution video requires considerably more storage than standard-definition video.
Also remember that the network carrying high- resolution data must be more robust than one carrying
standard or low-resolution video.
Should I record or not record CCTV?
Some businesses find CCTV to be an effective deterrence even when the video is not recorded. A store,
for instance, can just show the live broadcast at the entry to remind potential shoplifters that they’re
being watched. That said, you won’t regret having a recording available if something is captured. Here
are some reasons why:
- Evidence: Recordings can be used in court. A video that captures a suspect in the act of committing
a crime is far more convincing to juries and judges than a sketch based on someone’s memory or
circumstantial evidence. - Education: Recordings of mistakes and successes can be useful in staff training and other
educational efforts. A video that details how a problem occurred or was handled is far more
memorable than a written or spoken description. - Investigations: Video recordings can provide a description of a suspect that’s far more reliable
than a person’s memory. CCTV videos from crime scenes are often broadcast to help police
identify suspects and victims. - Protection: Your employees will feel safer knowing that their workplace is being watched –
and recorded. If something should happen, the video will show exactly what occurred.
This can decrease the likelihood of a “he said, she said” situation.
What about privacy?
The installation of a CCTV Systems often raises questions about privacy, whether the cameras are installed
on a city street, store, workplace or school. In most cases, the security benefits outweigh concerns over
privacy. In most cases, privacy questions can be resolved quickly by posting signs that remind people that
their actions are being recorded. If you are installing a CCTV system in a workplace, you should explain the
benefits and how the video will be used at employee meetings and in your employee handbook.
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