Cloud CCTV Systems

When you need CCTV you will realise that you really need it because there is likely to have been an incident on your site that you want to investigate. It is a great way of providing part of your safeguarding portfolio at any site. Ecl-ips installs CCTV due to Health & Safety requirements as often as to solve security issues which is the usual use for CCTV. However, don’t forget that, as advised by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, you must consider whether CCTV is the only option to meet your security or safeguarding needs. You should also make sure that you are working with a qualified supplier, preferably an NSI Gold installer.

Cloud-based CCTV is a surveillance camera system with remote server storage for camera footage. This means that unlike traditional CCTV systems users do not need to purchase or maintain the conventional storage hardware, such as network video recorders (NVRs) on site. Upgrades to the video surveillance management software are provided automatically via the cloud ensuring users always have the latest capabilities of the system.

CCTV with cloud storage works by using the latest cameras or cloud connectors to stream footage using the internet. Some security cameras will stream the footage directly to the cloud but this takes up a lot of bandwidth so you may need to increase the number of ports on your network and you could lose footage if your internet connection fails. Hybrid security cameras, like Avigilon Ava cameras, have built-in storage but then back up the recorded footage to the cloud. You only need to stream footage and take up bandwidth on your network if you are reviewing events on the surveillance system. If the internet connection is disrupted you will not lose the footage as it is being stored on the security cameras. Cloud connecters allow you to use your existing IP cameras but gain the advantages of CCTV cloud storage.

Cloud-based CCTV allows users to have flexible and scalable security systems without the cost and maintenance of NVRs. Instead you have the benefit of improvements to the video surveillance software automatically. With advanced systems like Alta Aware Cloud Storage you can minimise bandwidth disruptions by scheduling cloud back-ups when network activity is low and set the maximum streaming quality.

Cloud video surveillance is extremely secure as onsite recorders can be susceptible to physical threats, like theft and damage.

Cloud video surveillance systems are also available anywhere and at anytime from any mobile device with an internet connection. This means users can manage multiple sites with ease.

Choosing Cloud CCTV is ideal if you have multiple sites that you would like to link to a single security system but equally it would be suitable if you have a small site and limited space for an NVR but still need the most advanced surveillance technology.

You can make your CCTV system more proactive than a conventional CCTV system by receiving real-time and customised alerts.

There are three main reasons why CCTV systems are important:

1. Crime prevention: CCTV systems are a deterrent against criminal activity.
2. Provision of evidence: If a crime or an accident does occur you have the footage to show evidence that can be used by law enforcers if necessary.
3. Safeguarding staff and others: CCTV has been shown to encourage good behaviour, and if people believe they are protected and safe they will perform better.

All of our engineers are Enhanced DBS Checked and also have a high level of training to deal with customer requirements whilst on-site. All systems are designed, pre-staged, installed and commissioned with the customers requirements in mind in order to provide the correct camera system for your needs.

The benefits of CCTV can be to act as a deterrent to potential intruders, recording evidence of break-ins, vandalism or accidents on your site that you may want to investigate or pass onto the Police. Additionally, CCTV can be used to safeguard staff and others. Surveillance cameras have been shown to encourage good behaviour, and if people believe they are protected and safe they will perform better.

We would recommend that you seek advice from CCTV specialists that are accredited with one of the industry’s professional bodies such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). They will consider a variety of factors such as the size of your premises, the type of organisation that you are, what you are trying to achieve with your CCTV system and whether you are likely to want to expand or change your system in the future. By coming on site and understanding your organisation they can recommend the CCTV system that will work for you and provide more details such as what cameras to use and where they should be sited.

Ecl-ips recommends the Avigilon system precisely because it is scalable and there are a range of cameras to suit different requirements. Additionally, the Avigilon Control Center video management software is easy to use, but incredibly powerful. If you would like us to visit you and carry out a free site survey contact us.

We focus our offer of CCTV systems on the West Midlands – which includes Birmingham, Warwick, Worcester, Redditch and Stratford-upon-Avon – and the Cotswolds. However, if you are located beyond this area we may still be able to provide you with our CCTV expertise.

A CCTV or Video Management System tends to run over standard computer networks as modern phones systems also do. The system consists of cameras, a storage device (that runs the management software), network cabling, Power over Ethernet switch and a viewing workstation or mobile device. Cameras can record continuously to the central storage device and be interrogated locally on a device with software on it. A new addition that replaces the local storage are Cloud solutions that record footage based on triggers such as movement, analytics or detectors. In this case, all footage is recorded in the cloud and accessible via an APP or Web Browser.

Yes, this is now available on most systems. Avigilon has now developed Avigilon Cloud Services (ACS) for its Avigilon Control Center(ACC) video management software, available if you have ACC 7.4 or above.  ACS allows you to use a Chrome or safari browser to access camera lists, view live and recorded video, control PTZ movements, export snapshots and video on MP4 format. Users have the ability to access both their camera views and bookmark views. Meanwhile, ACC Mobile 3 provides you with remote access to your CCTV system using your mobile device if you have an internet connection.

However, you should be aware that as soon as you open up your cameras to the internet there is a security risk. Please make sure that you don’t use admin or administrator as usernames or any default usernames or passwords on your systems.

We have extensive experience of this and most CCTV systems can be upgraded. If it is an analogue system this is made quite easy with encoders or if you have an IP connected system you have more options with ONVIF compliant cameras. The main process here is working out what you would like to achieve by upgrading and giving you the best solution we can. Read one of our case studies to find out how we have helped others to upgrade.

Advanced CCTV systems can both detect objects, people and movement. On some CCTV systems, such as Mobotix, this is done within the camera. Avigilon has developed its H5A cameras which contains analytics functions which together with its Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software can can now identify people, cars or lorries as categories.  Meanwhile Avigilon LPR analytics automatically reads licence plate information from vehicles, linking it to live and recorded video.

H5A cameras can also now analyse a camera’s scene and detect when objects (people or vehicles) are moving at an unusual speed or are present in an unusual location in the scene and send an event to ACC for presentation to an operator in the Focus of Attention interface.

The best method for keeping track of visitors and staff in a building or around a site is via an swipe in / swipe out Access Control system,  in conjunction with an integrated CCTV system. Number plate recognition technology within your CCTV cameras and software can also be linked to access control systems to ensure only authorised people access your site.

If your organisation has a commercial CCTV system, or you are about to have a system installed, you need to be aware of data protection laws. In the UK this means complying with the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018), which incorporated the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can find out more in this blog.

We would always recommend purchasing a CCTV System from an NSI Gold installer as this will provide you with access to properly trained staff to assist you with your buying journey. Ecl-ips has produced a CCTV Buying Checklist and can offer a free trial of the Avigilon CCTV system to help you with your CCTV buying decisions.

A modern IP CCTV system is more than just the cameras and the video recorder you need to ensure that you have an effective IT system and proper power management. The CCTV Logbook portal will prompt you to consider back-up power systems and switches are maintained. Being able to view the list of cameras along with details of the PoE switch, switch port connections and other assets, such as UPS devices, along with their maintenance logs, dates when firmware updates, or when cables were changed is invaluable.

By following the 12 Guiding Principle of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Code of Practice the CCTV Logbook compliance package helps you follow best practice and meet data protection obligations.

CCTV footage of a person is considered their personal data and therefore you are able to request footage of yourself. If it is a business they will have contact details of who operates the system or within a small shop, for example, you can ask the owner. If it is a homeowner then they are subject to the same data protection rules. Requests can be made verbally or in writing. You will need to provide details of the specific date and time, a description of yourself and provide proof of your identity. The CCTV owner must usually provide the footage free of charge within 1 calendar month. For more about data protection rights and responsibilities we have produced a guide for businesses and homeowners. CCTV Logbook can also provide compliance information.

Avigilon’s security solutions help you maximise the efficiency of your staff or security personnel so you can focus on protecting what matters most — your people and property.

The main benefits of IP CCTV cameras are:

• Improved resolution
• Advanced video analytics
• Security & encryption
• Ease of installation
• Coverage

Machine learning, is a form of AI.  It has been a feature of advanced surveillance camera systems for some time but is now becoming more sophisticated. This technology is when machines can actively learn and improve their functionality through the use of algorithms. This means your CCTV system should be more effective over time.

One benefit of AI is its ability to search through data quickly and to highlight issues to humans. Analysing the data within camera footage using AI means object classifications and facial recognition has become far quicker and more accurate helping human CCTV operators make decisions and to act more quickly.

Our NSI Gold certification demonstrates to customers that we adhere to the highest industry standards. To achieve NSI Gold, we have to demonstrate that Ecl-ips operates a Quality Management System (QMS) and this QMS is compliant with the BS EN ISO 9001:2015 Standard. Implementing a QMS affects every aspect of an organisation’s performance.

We offer Avigilon Alta and Unity CCTV which would benefit schools, business owners needing security systems for their homes and commercial premises, as well as high-net-worth individuals. The cloud-based systems allows for easy scalability and remote monitoring while the on-premise systems still provide reliable monitoring.

Our CCTV systems can be used outside school toilets or other potential hotspots to identify students who it is suspected may have been vaping inside. However, to ensure their privacy is maintained inside a vaping hotspot like the school toilets you would need to install the HALO Smart Sensor which would trigger an alert if vaping is detected.

Both Motorola Solutions surveillance camera systems we recommend: the on-premise based Avigilon Unity and the cloud-based Avigilon Alta can integrate with Halo Smart Sensors. This provides you with a comprehensive security and real-time monitoring system. Alerts for vaping can just be one part of this. Other vaping systems are closed systems making integration more difficult.

Both Avigilon Alta and Avigilon Unity have easy-to-use platforms that mean footage can be reviewed extremely quickly if there is an incident of any kind.

The Avigilon CCTV systems all full comply with data protection requirements, you can have cameras that provide for more privacy such as tho

Cloud-based CCTV is extremely secure as data is transferred with end-to-end encryption and automatic updates sent as required to protect the system. It also removes the risk physical threats associated with an onsite NVR. Ensure you install a fully compliant cloud storage system, such as Avigilon Alta, to be certain data privacy is always maintained.

By storing your footage in the cloud you have a concrete backup.

Cloud CCTV footage can be accessed from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. You will need to install an app if you want to view the footage easily on a smart phone. The Alta Video app mirrors its web client allowing you to view live video, triage alarms and manage security .

If you have cameras with embedded storage you will not lose footage if the internet connection fails and the CCTV system will continue to function.