What Does CCTV Mean?

CCTV is short for “closed-circuit television.” CCTV systems use cameras and monitors to record or view activity in and around a property. This can be used for security purposes, to monitor traffic, or even to provide entertainment. A system of video cameras that transmit signals to a specific, limited set of monitors or recorders, not broadcast publicly like regular TV, primarily used for security, surveillance, and monitoring activities to deter crime and record evidence.

How Does CCTV Work?

Closed-circuit television systems work by sending a signal from the cameras to the monitors. The signal can be either analogue or digital, and the quality of the image will depend on the type of system you have.

Benefits of CCTV for Businesses and Homes

• Security: It can deter crime and help to catch criminals in the act.
• Safety:  helps to monitor hazardous areas and ensure that people are safe.
• Surveillance: The camera's can be used to keep an eye on employees, customers, or students.
• Investigation: If a crime does occur, the footage can be reviewed to help identify the perpetrator.

Potential Drawbacks of CCTV

• Privacy: Some people may feel that they are being watched all the time and this can be intrusive.
• Cost: CCTV systems can be expensive to install and maintain.
• Maintenance: If something goes wrong with the system, it can be difficult to fix.
• False sense of security: CCTV can give people a false sense of security and may make them less likely to take other safety precautions.

Are CCTV Camera's legal in the UK?

Yes, CCTV cameras are legal in the UK. However, there are certain regulations that must be followed, such as the Data Protection Act. This act ensures that people’s privacy is respected and that data is collected and used fairly.

How Long Can CCTV Footage Be Stored?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it will depend on the type of system you have and the regulations in your country. In the UK, most CCTV footage must be deleted after 31 days unless it is needed for a specific purpose, such as investigating a crime.

What Are the Different Types of CCTV Cameras?

Analog cameras: These cameras use an analogue signal to transmit the image. They are typically cheaper than digital cameras but the quality of the image is not as good.

Digital cameras: These cameras use a digital signal to transmit the image. The quality of the image is better than analogue but they can be more expensive.

IP cameras: These are digital cameras that use an internet connection to transmit the image. This allows you to view the footage remotely.

Wireless cameras: These cameras do not need to be connected to a power source or monitor, making them more versatile. However, they can be more expensive.

What Is an NVR in CCTV Systems?

An NVR is a “network video recorder.” This is a type of CCTV system that uses an IP camera to record and store the footage. It can be used to view the footage remotely.

What Is a DVR and How Does It Differ from an NVR?

A DVR is a “digital video recorder.” This is a type of CCTV system that uses a digital camera to record and store the footage. It typically needs to be connected to a monitor in order to view the footage.

For DVR vs NVR follow this link.

Are CCTV Warning Signs Legally Required in the UK?

Since the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation Act 2018. Anyone who wishes to use a CCTV system is required by law to display signage that is clearly visible and readable. The sign should also show details of the organisation in control of the system & data captured.

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What is Facewatch?

As a retail business owner, you’re aware of the potential risks you face daily. Studies have shown that one in every 20 employees is either violently abused or verbally attacked on a daily basis. In addition, retail theft can significantly affect your profit margins and put your customers and employees at risk.

With constant reduction in police resources and an inconsistent approach to retail theft, criminals have had a significant advantage over retail businesses. The aim of Facewatch technology is to stop crime before it happens. Facewatch and its face watch facial recognition software help businesses take a stand and proactively tackle issues of theft before it’s too late. Facewatch is quickly becoming the UK’s leading facial recognition company. As a cloud-based facial recognition security system, Facewatch technology will send you instant alerts as soon as a subject of interest walks into your premises.

The Facial recognition technology from Facewatch is proven to reduce theft in your business by at least 35% in the first year.

 

How does Facewatch work?

Much like regular CCTV’s, a property using face watch facial recognition must display signage to notify customers that cameras are in operation.

The facial recognition of a Facewatch system works by detecting faces from CCTVs on your premises. The images are encrypted and transmitted to the highly secure cloud server from which they’re converted into sets of facial measurements, known as feature vectors. Firstly, the feature vectors are compared to the Subjects Of Interest on the Facewatch watchlist. If there’s no match, the data is deleted instantly. Therefore, protecting the data of individuals who are not on the watch list.

Facewatch camera feed is recorded similarly to regular CCTV; the difference is that Facewatch only retains footage for 72 hours, compared to traditional CCTV's 30-day retention. Furthermore, the faces of individuals reasonably suspected will be retained for 72 hours. This allows the system to upload the data after the event.

 

Who can install Facewatch?

Installation of the Facewatch system can only be completed by a Facewatch-accredited CCTV installer. With over 10 years of industry experience, Facewatch works only with reputable companies that can guarantee professionalism and customer satisfaction.

As one of the accredited installers for Facewatch. NM Cabling will only install equipment that has been tested and vetted for security and reliability. Furthermore, our engineers are fully qualified and receive regular training to ensure we maintain our standards. Lastly, our focus is on our customers. We aim to build lasting relationships by ensuring our services meet your needs and requirements.

Subjects Of Interest (SOIs)

The term Subject of Interest, or SOI, refers to an individual reported by the business owner. This individual will be suspected of a crime or disorder. Additionally, this process is strictly controlled, enabling Facewatch to comply with Data Protection Laws. Anyone who uploads any data that is not compliant could be subject to fines or censure by the ICO.

The database used by Facewatch will hold SOI’s facial images and the reasons they are suspected of crime or disorder. This is known as a watchlist.

The watchlist of subjects of interest is then converted into templates for a facial recognition algorithm. The templates are then used to compare with the face watch facial recognition template of people picked up by the CCTV. If there’s a potential match, the owner will receive an alert.

 

All alerts must be verified by the Facewatch user, and if not verified, the alert will be deleted within an hour. Alerts which are marked as 'no match' are deleted instantly. SOI personal data is shared with the user only when the system generates a facial recognition alert. The information shared will include facial images, alert date, and crime category. Equally important, personal data of individuals who are under 18 will not be shared. In conclusion, subject of interest data will be retained for 2 years from the last recorded incident. Findings of no crime will lead to the removal of that incident record.

 

Who can benefit from FaceWatch?

1. Independent shops
2. Arenas & Events
3. Large Retail
4. Estate management
5. Clubs & Bars
6. Hotels & Restaurants
7. Forecourts
8. Airports & Stations

 

Does Facewatch comply with the Data Protection Act (DPA)?

As a data controller, Facewatch shares and processes personal data, special category personal data and criminal offence data with its users. The DPA 2018 provides that such processing and sharing is justified if specific conditions are met. The relevant conditions are:

1. It’s crucial to alert business owners so they can detect or prevent unlawful acts.
2. Processing cannot be carried out with consent because it relates to crime prevention.
3. It is in the Substantial Public Interest because Facewatch processes data on a national level and it is reducing or preventing crime in a user’s property. Additionally, it can potentially prevent and detect crime.

Click here for more details regarding Facewatch and the Data Protection Act 2018

 

Understanding New CCTV Technology

Safety and security solutions continue to evolve and, at the centre of this evolution, is CCTV technology. Present in our society for over 30 years now, CCTV remains a crucial tool when it comes to fighting crime and keeping people safe. But, as with all technology, the capabilities of CCTV have moved on considerably since it was first launched. And that’s why it’s important to understand new CCTV technology and the rules associated with it.

Which CCTV Camera is Best for an Office?

A wide range of options are available when it comes to choosing CCTV camera for an office; the best ones to look at are:

• Wireless: These cameras benefit from wireless technology and ensure that your cameras remain discreet and don’t impact the aesthetics of your office. Best of all, wireless CCTV cameras can be repositioned with minimal fuss and disruption.

 

• Pan/Tilt/Zoom: Offices can be large and, therefore, difficult to monitor. But a Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera gives you the freedom to rotate the view in order to investigate all activity. This allows you keep an eye on large spaces with just one camera.

 

• Domed: A major benefit of a domed camera is that they provide a discreet solution to your monitoring needs. With a camera housed within a dome, a domed camera minimises the intrusive effect of a ceiling mounted camera.

When it comes to the form in which these technologies take, there are generally two options: analogue and digital. Analogue solutions tend to be more cost effective and their cabling allows cameras to be set up over long distances. Digital solutions, meanwhile, provide high quality video and continuous recording. And the footage captured, by both analogue and digital solutions, can easily be recorded direct to external hard drives. This is much more convenient than traditional videotape solutions and allows multiple backups to be created quickly.

What is the best position for CCTV?

The best place to install CCTV cameras in an office are dependent on the type of camera being used. Cameras which are unable to tilt or pan, for example, are best placed in corners of the office in order to cover a wide area. If your cameras do have the option to tilt or pan then it makes sense to position them in the centre of the office where they can maximise their coverage. Additionally, it’s important that cameras are positioned so that they can easily monitor any entry or exit points.

What are the rules about CCTV cameras?

It’s vital that you use CCTV in a manner which is legal and respects the privacy of your staff. So, if you are installing CCTV in your office, make sure you abide by the following rules:

• Inform Staff: It is illegal to install CCTV cameras without telling your staff. Make sure that this is communicated before installation and that it is referenced in any staff contracts.

 

• Follow Data Protection Laws: The recordings of your staff count as personal data, so they need to be treated correctly. In order for this data to remain secure, it’s essential that access to any CCTV recordings is limited to a select few. Naturally, strong password protection should also be applied to any external hard drives and recordings.

 

• Do Not Keep Footage Indefinitely: It’s not necessary to keep footage for any longer than it’s useful. In general, keeping footage for between 30 – 90 days is acceptable. But, after this, it should be disposed of correctly and deleted in a manner which makes it irretrievable.