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Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is widely used as a valuable tool to prevent crime and criminal damage, provide evidence of incidents, and more recently, video analytics including motion detection, left object (car or package for example), people counting and even facial recognition.

CCTV is used extensively by Councils, Police and Traffic controllers and most recently witnessed at the 2012 London Olympics where individuals have been arrested for throwing objects at and racially abusing athletes.


Images are usually recorded to disc and stored for a period of time and automatically overwritten in an automatic cycle. These images can also be viewed remotely (with a planned set of reactions depending on circumstances) and several sites can be linked to form one overall system.Camera types include conventional, dome, Pan Tilt & Zoom (PTZ) and covert. Most camera types are typically available in mega pixel format where enhanced image quality is paramount.



CCTV is also used extensively by commercial enterprises to protect the business’ physical environment, scan areas used by employees (to act as a deterrent for their safety and protection), and to generally detect all movement activity and audio (some of the cameras used by DSS have acute audio capacity).


The need for security and surveillance is unfortunately ever-increasing. There are strong arguments that the financial benefits of CCTV and an integrated security system far outweigh the costs of that system, particularly when one considers the potential cost associated with any one of the following, each of which can be significantly reduced or even eliminated with the appropriate security system:


favDamage to property, assets, business interruption, and the resultant increase in insurance premiums and physical deterrents (fences, walls, guards, etc) 


favDamage to people, including physical, emotional, loss of confidence and the resultant issues emanating from OH&S claims, stress-related claims, loss of productivity, etc.


favAn inability to catch and/or prosecute the perpetrator/s, which would be eliminated with the use of appropriate CCTV’s preferably with audio capabilities





Some of the more typical installations in which DSS personnel have been involved include the following:


bulitIdentify shoplifters (with signage actually warning shoppers of the existence of cameras)

bulitMonitoring employees at the cash registers, stock rooms, factory floors, restricted areas,

bulitMonitoring car parking areas, common areas, entries/exits, sever rooms, gymnasiums, swimming pools, children’s playgrounds, school grounds and car pick-up areas, etc.


Some of the more critical issues that are assessed by the DSS team include the following:


bulitWhat specifically is the camera/s trying to achieve – DSS then designs the tailored solution to meet the specific criteria

bulitWill a response to the recorded activity be required, and if so, how, by whom and on what premise?

bulitWill the recorded event be required for evidential purposes, and if so, what are the parameters – and then DSS will ensure the appropriate technical specifications of the camera/s and its recording meet these objectives, including compliance with the Data Protection ActWhere precisely should the camera/s be located, and how will these be protected against malicious damage, weather conditions, vermin, etc.?Does the CCTV system require additional lighting to be effective, and is this system to be integrated with Access Control?


If you believe your security and/or that of your personnel is exposed please take action. It is far better to be safe now than sorry after the event. Too many times one hears the words of “…if only I had done something…”.DSS is waiting for your call, and we will provide you with a quotation at no cost to and with no obligation from you. You can then at least make an informed decision based on the facts.