How to Choose an Efficient Office CCTV System

Introduction

An investment in a CCTV system is crucial for most businesses. A CCTV system helps to secure life and property. It supports proactive live monitoring and facilitates faster investigations and incident response. Modern CCTV systems even provide advanced operational functions via the use of its AI and Video Analytics capabilities. These include motion detection and analytics, line-cross, loitering, object detection, alarms, etc.

A CCTV system, when integrated with other building management systems such as Entry Access Control, Intruder and Fire detection, visitor management and HVAC system, triggers and performs seamless functions. For instance, a CCTV AI and video analytics can monitor premises and automatically alert control room operators or specific personnel to actionable events without the need for personnel to monitor multiple screens at once.

According to a report by IFSECGlobal, CCTV systems have continued to deliver further business intelligence, they lead to better decision making and act as a force multiplier for operational efficiency. Video technology is moving away from being a grudge security purchase to value-add business solutions. There is a growing awareness from organisations, according to IFSECGlobal’s report, that cameras can cover the job of several staff members. There are also examples of completely unmanned stores in South Korea open 24/7, with cameras monitoring customers visibly on screens as they move around the store and utilising facial recognition for enrolment, access, payment and exit purposes.

 

What is An Efficient CCTV Surveillance System?

An efficient CCTV surveillance system is a well installed CCTV system that performs optimally for its purpose.  It is a system with the right specified components, is configured to adequately manage the property, and provides functions that help optimize resources in the delivery of business operations.

 

What Makes an Efficient CCTV System?

 

1. Good Camera coverage

The accurate cameras are applied to cover all areas needing surveillance. Blind spots are avoided in key areas as they pose a security threat or cause operational flaws. Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) are installed in areas where you have personnel actively monitoring the system, and fixed cameras are installed in areas requiring no active personnel to monitor it.

2. Optimum Image Clarity / Video quality

A CCTV system with poor image and video quality will serve little or no use during an investigation, and poor cameras usually do not offer advanced functions. An efficient CCTV surveillance system has installed the correct camera specifications; the proper lens and pixel, the camera type; whether HD or IP MP cameras, that is most suitable for the project is selected and installed. Experienced and professional CCTV system designers and installers are open-minded, choosing the best solution according to the customer’s specific circumstances.

3. Efficient Storage

Storing CCTV recordings is an aspect of the CCTV surveillance system implementation that is as important as everything else in the installation. Should the company implement a Cloud storage system or an onsite DVR / NVR local storage? These are all storage options that offer different advantages and disadvantages. For example, by choosing a Cloud storage option, your CCTV recordings are stored in a location that is outside the facility environment where the CCTV is installed. The cloud storage services are provided by Cloud storage providers, who lease space in their storage server to store your CCTV recordings. Your office may decide to operate your CCTV cloud storage, hosted either at your headoffice or a different office, provided that the CCTV recordings are not stored at the same site the cameras are installed. The main advantage of this option is that your video recordings cannot be stolen and damaged from your premises during theft or any sabotage which may happen when recordings are stored within your premises (locally).

4. Reliable PlayBack availability

Many CCTV system owners don’t often test the playback function of their CCTV installation to verify its video footage reliability. They only play recordings when an event has occurred. This sometimes yields disappointing results as either none of the video cameras were recorded, or some cameras did not record (doesn’t occur frequently), or the time recorded was too short and could not capture the whole event/incident. Video recording time must be set to match the operational requirements of the business or facility. You can set recording time to 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and so on, accordingly.

Playbacks must be checked and tested periodically. CCTV can be set to record when an event is triggered. E.g. human motion detected. This records only when events occur, minimising the length of time required to view the recordings and also reducing the size of the storage file as against continuous recording.

5. Correct Video Analytical functions

Why worry or pay personnel for a duty that your CCTV system can provide? Modern CCTV systems have AI functions that can allow you to, for instance, mark an area as a no-entry zone. Whenever a customer or anyone enters this zone, the CCTV system will trigger an alarm or send an alert. Also, a CCTV system can send an email or place a call or lock the doors when motion is detected in certain areas. A CCTV system can help you identify a blacklisted visitor when the fellow approaches your facility. This feature can be integrated with a Visitor Management System.

6. Efficient Monitoring

It is important to determine how CCTV surveillance is monitored. Do you need to have personnel stationed in the monitoring room? Or, would you need to use the AI functions to trigger alerts and alarms?

Durability – An efficient CCTV system should last as many years as possible. Many professionally installed CCTV would require upgrades 7 to 10 years after initial installation. Although some may require an upgrade in lesser years. Upgrades are usually determined by technological advancements. A CCTV system requires maintenance by security installation personnel.

7. Constant Power Supply

A CCTV system has to be constantly powered throughout the period it is needed for surveillance. If a CCTV system needs to be operational in an 8-hour range, then it has to have constant power throughout that time range. If it needs a 24/7 surveillance, then every effort should be made to supply it that steady power. A power outage to the CCTV system during a required time for surveillance means that there won’t be any recording, triggers or alerts during that time, and this can be costly to the business or facility.

8. Excellent System Security / Cyber Security

An efficient CCTV system should be properly secured not only physically but through passwords and network security. Unsecured CCTV system could be stolen, its recordings sabotaged or manipulated by unauthorized personnel to perpetrate crime. When connected to an organisational network, IP-based devices can provide another vulnerability for cyber attackers to target when not adequately secured.

9. Cost Efficient

With technology constantly improving, better quality CCTV systems are becoming available for reduced prices. Top of the line equipment is now being replaced with new and improved cameras, monitors, and recorders. The most and least expensive options are not always the most efficient.

 

Choosing an Efficient CCTV system

Every office environment and building structure is distinctively different from another. So also the staff, business model and operations are usually unique.

When choosing a CCTV Surveillance system, it is important to implement a CCTV system that offers not just the basic security features but a system that facilitates the operations of your business or facility. Remember, an efficient CCTV system helps you to optimise your resources.

Many business managers have only a limited knowledge of the functions and capabilities of a CCTV system. Acquiring more knowledge about CCTV systems would help business managers make better decisions, not just in choosing a CCTV system but also in using it.

The decision on what CCTV surveillance system to install for the office should not be left only for the installer. Company managers or heads of Operations should be involved in the process of choosing a CCTV system for their facility.

A CCTV Surveillance system is a resource and a tool to help business managers accomplish certain objectives including security needs.

Business managers or operation managers are to first identify what they need the CCTV system for and outline all the objectives they would want the CCTV system to help them accomplish. Their input and contribution would help the installer to determine:

1. The type of CCTV system that is required.
2. The correct camera type and the position to mount them.
3. Whether audio surveillance is necessary.
4. Who will monitor the videos and how surveillance should be effected.
5. The length of recordings to keep / Video Storage.
6. The best equipment protection and Cyber Security.
7. The right analytical functions or AI implementation.
8. How power would be supplied.

 

Conclusion

A CCTV system helps an organization save money, reduce liability, maintain safety, protect assets, deter crime and operate better. Having a CCTV surveillance system installed, in itself, is an efficient investment for every organization. It is not enough to have it only “installed”; it is vital to ensure that the system is functioning properly and helping the organization to operate efficiently.

For quality, high-definition CCTV Surveillance system installation that you can count on, look no further than Frontlane Technologies. Give us a call today on 08134980051.

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