Everything to Know About CCTV Monitoring

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CCTV monitoring is truly one of the most effective ways to ensure your business stays safe and secure. We all know about security cameras and video monitoring, so it might feel like a no-brainer. But when we dive into the term “CCTV,” it’s important to unpack what it really means, especially as we explore the various types of video surveillance out there. 

CCTV stands for “closed circuit television,” and it represents the original way of video monitoring. Back then, we relied on analogue video cameras that sent signals to a specific set of monitors, meaning those signals weren’t broadcasted publicly. Nowadays, we have a modern twist on this with IP cameras, which stream live footage as data over a network or the internet. These cameras don’t require a physical connection to record and transmit footage, making remote video monitoring a breeze and often resulting in better quality. Many IP cameras come equipped with handy features like motion sensors that can alert monitoring stations. Plus, some even have remote controls, allowing you to adjust the angle or zoom in on a specific area without needing to physically move the camera. Today’s IP video systems, known as Video Management Systems (VMS), offer extended recording capabilities at higher frame rates and resolutions (measured in Megapixels) for longer durations compared to traditional analogue CCTV systems. You can even export footage onto a USB or other media to share with supervisors, law enforcement, or other necessary personnel. So, while we still casually call it “CCTV,” the technology has truly evolved since its early days.

If you’re a Security Officer or work in the security field, you know there’s a lot to juggle when it comes to CCTV monitoring. You need to keep an eye on all the entrances and exits, ensure that unauthorized individuals don’t wander into restricted areas, and monitor the activities of both employees and visitors. In this article, you’ll discover some tips and best practices to help you maximize the effectiveness of your CCTV monitoring system.

It's really important to set up a CCTV monitoring system that works well and gets the job done right. A thoughtfully designed system can ensure that your employees, visitors, residents, and the general public feel secure and content, all while helping your business run smoothly and efficiently.  When you're putting together your CCTV monitoring system, here are some best practices to consider:

• Make sure that your security team has access to the right information at all times. This means ensuring that they're always able to see what's going on at the location, as well as having access to relevant data about past incidents or problems.
• Keep things organized by using software designed specifically for CCTV monitoring systems. This will make it easier for you to find specific footage, when necessary, which can be critical when trying to solve a security concern or determine who was responsible for an incident.
• Ensure that all staff and users of the system are adequately trained on the functionality to be able to control cameras, call up live video feeds on demand, retrieve recorded video and export video as needed.
• Ensure that all personnel are aware of the customer’s policies for video reviews and export to allow control of who can view video footage, and which individuals are authorized to request and receive exported video.
• Make sure you have enough cameras, the right kind, and good lighting around your facility. If there aren't enough cameras around your facility, you won't be able to see what's going on everywhere—which could compromise security. Make sure they're placed strategically to cover all the crucial parts of your facility at once.
• Keep your camera equipment up-to-date. The more advanced your equipment is, the better job it will do capturing images from across large areas without distortion or blurring—and that means better security.
• For IP video systems, make sure that the system is installed and maintained with good cyber security practices to avoid unauthorized access or remote damage to the system.

CCTV monitoring is an excellent way to keep tabs on what matters most to you. However, it’s not just about passively watching the footage; you need to know what to look for and be able to spot when something seems off.

 Here are a few tips for getting started with CCTV monitoring:

• Know your equipment and its limitations.
• Keep an eye on more than one camera at a time while knowing the limits on how many cameras you can effectively monitor. A video wall is not always the best method.
• Stay alert!
• Pay extra attention to any hidden entry points or high-traffic areas.
• Make sure to maintain cameras, including cleaning camera lenses constantly for a clear display
• Maintain timestamps. Ensure that the CCTV system processes the correct time and date so that you know what event occurred at what time.

We hope you find these tips and information helpful for your security team and business. Fire Watch Security provides mobile patrol and alarm response services with highly trained and best-in-class Security Officers that will reinforce your security program. Learn more here or see our blog on keeping your business secure with mobile patrol.

If you are interested in starting a meaningful and rewarding career in security, check out our careers page.

Be sure to listen to The Difference Makers podcast and read our blog to learn more about Paladin and the exciting world of security