At Arana Security, we’ve seen an increase in the number of our clients using cloud-based CCTV over local storage, and it’s not hard to see why. In recent years, the way we manage, process and store personal and business data has drastically changed with the advancement of cloud computing technologies. From scrolling through social media to watching the latest Netflix hit series, interaction with ‘the cloud’ has crept into the daily lives of millions across the globe. By 2025 it is predicted that the total data stored in the cloud (including public, government and private clouds) will reach 100 zettabytes – that’s 50% of the entire world’s data.
Cloud storage has enabled digital data to be stored online from multiple servers and locations with ease and simplicity. This new way to manage data has revolutionised the video surveillance industry, with many businesses choosing to move their CCTV onto the cloud and away from the traditional local storage methods.
In this article, we explore how cloud-based CCTV works and why you might want to consider upgrading to the cloud if you haven’t already.
What is cloud-based CCTV?
Traditional CCTV systems rely on centralised hardware, with local servers and video recorders. These local systems store their recorded data in physical locations on physical devices. With cloud-based CCTV, this data is stored online, negating the need for expensive, bulky hardware. As long as there is an internet connection, data can be uploaded, accessed and downloaded anywhere, at any time.
What are the benefits of cloud-based CCTV?
1. Higher level of security
Cloud-based CCTV storage is encrypted making it very difficult to tamper with, unlike local footage storage. If your local hard drive is damaged, stolen or the hard drive fails, the data could be corrupted or even lost altogether. Cloud data is collected and stored off-site, so this vulnerability isn’t an issue.
Only authorised individuals can access the data in the cloud, so anything recorded is safely stored and can be easily retrieved and shared with security personnel or the police. If anyone does access, download or share the data on the cloud, there will be an audit trail providing an extra layer of security that is lacking with local storage.
Biometric facial recognition technologies like our facial recognition security solution, can be integrated with IP cameras. IP (internet protocol) cameras are surveillance cameras that receive and send footage uploaded to the cloud. This ability to integrate CCTV cameras with AI technology means that security personnel and police are able to use search and detection in seconds. With a local CCTV system, this would is done manually, taking much more time. The cloud-based system also allows for real-time alerts, providing personnel with the intruder’s most recent whereabouts or current location, allowing the perpetrator to be either caught in the act or identified.
Data privacy laws dictate that images must be stored in a particular way, limiting access to a certain number of people and ensuring the rights of those recorded are protected. The safeguarding protocols in place when using cloud storage systems automatically protect data exchanged between devices. These protocols provide a much higher level of data security than analogue local CCTV systems, which are more vulnerable to being lost, damaged, stolen or hacked, potentially leading to expensive legal battles for organisations affected.
2. Cost-effective and sustainable
There are numerous ongoing costs associated with physical CCTV storage systems. The hardware required to store the collected data is expensive and more personnel are required to manage the equipment and storage facilities. Switching to cloud-based CCTV reduces the need for extensive hardware to store the data. Traditional CCTV systems require more cameras and monitors than their cloud-based counterparts. Large corporations and businesses can use the cloud-based system to cut surveillance of multiple large buildings into one central location, saving money, space and energy.
3. Accessibility
Storing data in the cloud makes this centralisation of CCTV surveillance possible – all you need is an internet connection. You can manage and control all cameras across multiple sites from one device, allowing access to authorised individuals while maintaining data compliance. If you lose internet access the footage will still be archived and retrievable.
4. High-quality and reliable
The IP cameras used for cloud-based CCTV have much higher quality image resolution than traditional CCTV cameras. In fact, it can be up to 20 times higher. IP cameras can be remotely controlled to zoom in, which conventional analogue cameras cannot, and even if they had the capability, the quality would be too low to get a clear picture when zoomed in. IP cameras also have tilt and 360 rotate functions, so much larger areas can be surveilled with a lot fewer cameras.
If your organisation is considering making the move to cloud-based CCTV, we can help. At Arana Security, we offer high-quality, reliable CCTV surveillance. All of our CCTV security cameras utilise the latest digital recording technology for clear imaging, day or night. We also offer 24-hour remote monitoring systems for round-the-clock observation, from anywhere in the world.
Book a security consultation and upgrade your security today.
