How Are CCTV Video Surveillance Cameras Helpful For Security?

When people think of hiring security, they might think of armed bodyguards outside a luxury home. However, technologies like CCTV videos are also crucial to security efforts. Recent advances in CCTV capabilities and device interfaces have entrenched video as a vital tool in this industry. 

Below, the team at Stark Security Inc. shares more about the importance of this CCTV video surveillance for security purposes.

What Is CCTV?

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems use cameras to capture footage and broadcast it to a single location. Part of the appeal is that these cameras will deter people from committing crimes, particularly if their actions appear on recorded footage. CCTV’s ‘closed’ status means it doesn’t broadcast the video feed to multiple places like regular television channels.

CCTV systems broadly consist of two major parts: 

• A camera for capturing video
• A data center to record it

They also include camera lenses, power cables, communication media, and monitors.

These systems first arose for security and real-time monitoring purposes. However, the invention of large-scale recording integrated into CCTV systems quickly. Now, it allows security teams to review any footage the cameras have captured, a crucial source of evidence in the event of a crime or insurance claim.

Types of CCTV Systems

There are two major types of CCTV systems: analog and digital.

• Analog CCTV systems. They capture analog footage via the camera and send it to a monitor through a physical coaxial cable. It creates a digital file to store and copy. 
• Digital CCTV systems. They record digital video, sending it to storage devices or interfaces through digital channels instead of running it through a DVR first. Digital video recorders may rely on internet connectivity to stream video feeds.

Modern CCTV systems, whether analog or digital, will typically fall into one of three classifications. Some systems may combine different categories as well.

Simple

These basic CCTV systems have a camera and monitor. The camera(s) feed into the monitors while the monitor provides the power to record.

Grid

A grid system mimics a simple system, except the cameras and monitors are connected to the main power grid. This means the CCTV cameras can keep recording if the monitor’s power source fails. It can also connect to a completely independent power source for consistency if the public electrical grid goes down.

Recording

Recording CCTV systems, as the name implies, record footage for future playback and reviewing. Old recording systems used tapes for storage. However, modern CCTV systems create digital recordings so that you can copy and transfer videos easily between devices. 

How Can CCTV Video Help With Security and Law Enforcement?

There are several ways that CCTV video surveillance enhances security and assists law enforcement efforts, including the following:

Real-Time Monitoring

As with the original systems, one of the most important functions of modern CCTV systems remains real-time monitoring. Surveillance cameras capture video feeds and stream them to monitors where security professionals can review and monitor what’s happening in the area. That way, they can spring into action if they spy anything out of the ordinary.

The primary advantage of real-time monitoring is that security professionals can intervene before the damage occurs or the perpetrators complete their crimes. It also makes CCTV surveillance services extremely useful in situations of imminent danger, such as a violent crime or an act of terror.

Multiple Perspectives

Has a dangerous or criminal event transpired? It can take time to assemble a timeline of events based entirely on eyewitness testimony. Eyewitnesses can only be reliable if they are trying to recall and describe events from a stressful situation and provide the details in the right order.

Video surveillance provides multiple perspectives of the situation, allowing law enforcement to piece together the actual sequence of events. It is reliable compared to relying solely on witness testimony and helps law enforcement create an objective timeline of what happened.

For example, camera footage makes it possible to determine specific events that lead up to a crime or during one. It can also record events that led to a customer slipping or sustaining an injury in your store to inform the legal process.

Security Training

Accurate video footage is useful for more than just solving crimes; it also aids operational efficiency. For instance, law enforcement and security professionals will often employ CCTV video surveillance systems as a training method for new hires. Observing a crime or an emergency on CCTV footage can help trainees identify appropriate and inappropriate responses to situations to prepare them for real-life scenarios.

Insurance Purposes

The details depend on the specific provider, but many insurance companies will provide discounted rates on policies for security features. These insurance discounts can apply to homeowners and business owners investing in a security system with CCTV cameras.

The presence of cameras can also provide useful evidence in an insurance claim. For example, CCTV footage could bolster the civil suit if someone falls in a store and sustains an injury. 

Peace of Mind

Part of security is creating a feeling of safety and calm, so CCTV cameras and guard services bring residents, customers, and employees peace of mind. Knowing there’s a person surveilling the area boosts confidence that they could intercept or stop criminal activity and violence. This peace of mind is invaluable in creating a safe and relaxed feeling on the property.

Crime Deterrence

Lastly, CCTV systems are useful for their initial purpose: deterrence. The presence of a camera and the possibility of someone watching events unfold (and recording the details) are often enough to stop potential criminals from going through with their plans. So, place CCTV cameras in front of a home or storefront and enjoy a whole new level of security.

Notable Advances in CCTV Technologies For Commercial and Retail Use

Basic CCTV recording capabilities have existed for decades, but recent advances have found numerous applications in video recording and process changes. For example, AI algorithms can now easily auto-detect movement in video feeds and notify security personnel of sudden movements. Some software can even identify simple objects in the video feed, notifying security staff if something seems suspicious or out of place.

Have you considered smart security cameras for businesses or homes? They connect to a WiFi network, allowing property owners or security teams to watch the streamed video on demand. It involves smartphone interface capabilities, so you can check on the video feed when you are away or program the smart CCTV security systems to send you notifications of movement, lighting changes, or open doors and windows.

The advent of facial recognition technology has also meant that identification tools are beginning to emerge. A consumer application of accurate facial recognition tech will soon be readily available as tools like AI machine learning advance. And it is prudent to see a wide range of creative applications for CCTV surveillance for law enforcement and security purposes. 

Additional Read: CCTV Services for Your Business

Security Patrol Services in Chicago by Stark Security Inc.

The team at Stark Security Inc. provides the best security patrol services to maximize any surveillance cameras in use. With over a decade of law enforcement and security experience, we prioritize ways to help you feel safe and secure around the clock.

Would you like to explore our CCTV video surveillance or security detail services? Call Stark Security Inc. at (773) 455-1220 today or send us a message online!