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When it comes to building security, everyone wants to get their hands on the best surveillance solution available. At Building Security Services & Systems, we can provide you with various security solutions. One of the most preferred options in the current market is CCTV surveillance systems.
This post will tell you all you need to know about CCTV surveillance, including what it is, how it works, the different types available, and whether it is the right solution for your office building.
CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a system that allows you to keep an eye on everything happening in your office building through the use of cameras. It is one of the most popular types of video surveillance technology.
Though the technology is pretty straightforward, a few technical terms might be a bit confusing. Since we want to help you better understand this video surveillance technology, we felt it vital to explain briefly some of the tech terms you should know.
Image sensors are used in cameras to convert light into electronic signals. They contain multiple pixels that register the amount of exposed light, transforming it into electrons. Though cameras use different types of sensors, two of the most popular formats include CCD and CMOS.
CCD stands for charged coupled device. They have a higher light sensitivity than CMOS and are often preferred for inclement light conditions.
CMOS stands for complementary metal oxide semiconductor. They are the more cost-effective option. Though they are noisier than CCD sensors, opting for the megapixel CMOS sensor could give you better quality than that of CCD sensors.
Video encoders make it possible for analog CCTV systems to migrate to some network systems. This migration allows you to capitalize on modern features and cheaper hardware. The encoders allow a wired connection and digitize video signals, sending them to a wireless IP-based or wired system.
There are two types of recorders; digital video recorders and network video recorders. Digital video recorders process footage themselves and are often used with analog cameras. Network video recorders encode and process the footage at the camera level, then stream it for storage and remote monitoring. Network video recorders are used with IP cameras.
A standard CCTV system has:
A CCTV system can be digital or analog. Analog systems have a traditional videotape recorder and coaxial cables. On the other hand, digital systems have a network video recorder or direct video recorder and RJ45 cables.
Here is how CCTV works:
If you have a digital CCTV system, the recorder might include smart technologies like analytical software to scan the data and transmit automated alerts to other devices and systems. The software can record, store, and analyze video feeds. It might also utilize machine learning algorithms that have functionalities like face recognition and motion detection.
There are different types of CCTV systems based on the technology they use and how they transmit footage. Here are the three types of CCTV surveillance systems.
These systems transmit continuous video signals using Bayonet Neill-Concelman connectors on coaxial cables. Though they are cheap and effective, analog CCTV systems have relatively low resolution. The systems need a video capture card for the images, storing them on a tape recorder or a PC.
Fortunately, you have the option of digitizing these systems. You could also opt for an analog HD system, which offers increased resolution and is backward compatible with Bayonet Neill-Concelman connectors and analog cameras.
Though their operation is similar to analog systems, they digitize signals at the camera level. Also, digital CCTV systems do not need a video capture card because they store images directly on a computer. However, the systems are heavily compressed because they need more significant amounts of space to store recordings.
IP CCTV systems use a video server to stream the feed over the internet. They can use digital or analog HD security cameras to capture the footage. If you use IP cameras, however, you can contain multiple cameras in one. This option would allow you to cover wider angles—something that would take several cameras or camera systems to accomplish.
Some of the advantages these systems offer include:
Read more: CCTV vs IP Cameras – The Difference
CCTV surveillance offers many advantages. The technology enables you to:
Though CCTV surveillance promises to offer many benefits, the technology still has potential drawbacks. The surveillance could be hampered by:
The technology has also received criticism because it could intrude on an individual’s privacy, making employees or customers feel uneasy with the thought of constantly being monitored.
German scientists developed the technology in 1942, intending to monitor the launch of V2 rockets. American scientists also used it during the testing of the atomic bomb. Today, CCTV is used in various application areas.
The presence of CCTV surveillance in your office building can deter potential criminals. It can also identify and monitor possible in-house criminal activities. Should you use it with other types of sensors, such as thermal and audio, it can alert you and officials to events that are out of the ordinary.
If a crime does occur, the CCTV footage can help law enforcement in the investigation, providing the prosecution with crucial evidence.
Prisons might also use CCTV surveillance to monitor the prisoners and areas, like rooftops, that are not easily accessible. This monitoring can help prevent escape or contraband from entering the prison.
Video surveillance in a retail store can provide people with market intelligence. This intelligence can be used to monitor buying trends, giving insight into how people shop, the aisles they traverse the most, and how likely they are to respond to various calls to action in different store layouts.
On top of that, heat maps can help store owners monitor shopper traffic at the different store locations. This data can help them identify peak buying times and develop staffing requirements for those peak periods.
Cameras installed at traffic lights enable the gathering of traffic statistics and evidentiary footage of speeding. Surveillance of other locations in the city allows for the monitoring of people. Some surveillance can be used to collect real-time data on the city’s environment and weather.
CCTV cameras can be used to monitor patients to identify potential medical crises like an asthma attack or epileptic seizure. Smart software can be used to monitor the 43 facial muscles that show a person’s expressions, feelings, and thoughts better than a human can. Video surveillance can also be used in medical clinics and hospitals to monitor medical supplies like narcotics, equipment, and visitors.
As technology continues to advance, we expect other digital tech forms to complement CCTV surveillance, creating a more proactive and autonomous surveillance process. Technologies such as linked cameras, facial recognition software, and intelligent hardware could increase passive surveillance and result in mass surveillance.
When it comes to your security, taking every possible measure could go a long way in protecting your employees and property. CCTV surveillance is a measure that your office building cannot do without.
If you are looking for a reliable security company to offer you the solutions you need, turn to Building Security Services & Systems. Call us today at 973-414-1111, and find out more about CCTV installations and the top-notch security services we can offer.
Joseph Ferdinando is the visionary founder of Building Security Services, a leading security company renowned for its comprehensive security services. With an illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the security industry, Joseph has been instrumental in elevating the standards of security guard services for a broad spectrum of businesses and organizations. As an influential member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) in both New York and New Jersey chapters, Joseph has played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and practices.