Cloud Services

Arana explores The benefits of cloud-based CCTV over local and CCTV cameras

The benefits of cloud-based CCTV over local

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.

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Cloud Services: What Are They & What Are The Benefits?

Why the “Cloud”? The term “Cloud” has been used for several decades in relation to IT. Originally it was used within old telecom network schematics to refer to parts that were just not relevant to go into details over, so it was represented as a cloud image. Cloud computing as a term became popular in the early 2000s to describe the services offered that allowed for on-demand IT resource delivery over the internet. However, the concept of providing computing as a service has been around since the 1960s.   What are Cloud Services? Cloud computing services include a range of on-demand services provided over the internet to companies and customers without them having to own the computing infrastructure or data centres. Instead of having to run programs and software that are physically on their computers or servers, companies can have affordable access to flexible resources without the complexity and expense, by paying for what they use. The computing essentially happens on remote serves (cloud servers), and the data collected is also stored remotely. The cloud service providers are also able to benefit from significant economies of scale by delivering the services to a range of customers. The services that are offered as cloud services include;   Servers Databases Storage Networking Software Analytics   Cloud computing services can be generally divided into three categories;   1) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): providing access to essential infrastructures such as servers, network components, and storage. E.g. Amazon web services   2) Platform as a Service (PaaS):  used by developers to develop, test, maintain software. It was created to support the whole application life cycle. E.g. OpenShift   3) Software as a Service (SaaS): giving access to applications and software through subscriptions over the internet. E.g. Microsoft 365   What are the benefits of cloud services? Cloud services have become very popular and increasingly adopted by companies and customers due to the benefits that they can bring;   Reduce costs Companies don’t need to purchase and maintain costly equipment for their IT needs as well as not requiring a large IT team. With an increasing number of cloud service providers, the competition is higher, and so prices for cloud storage will fall at the same time as storage capacity increases.   Faster IT equipment Computer memory and power of individual computers are freed up by the use of cloud services, as software and data are not stored on the device.   Data Security Often the biggest concern for people, but cloud service providers will offer advanced data security features. Data that is processed by cloud storage providers will implement authentication, access control and encryption. Combined with the organisation’s security measures will protect sensitive data.   Data recovery When data is stored in the cloud it can be recovered should there be a problem with the hardware. Even destruction of on-site systems through any means, the data is all easily accessed with any device connected to the internet.   Business scale Cloud services give organisations the flexibility to easily and quickly scale up/down IT requirements depending on their business needs.   On-the-go working When resources are in the cloud, they are stored, retrieved, recovered or processed with a couple of clicks. Access to works is available 24/7 and anywhere with internet on smartphones and devices.     With the advancement of services available as well as the changing work culture allowing more people to more easily take work on the road or work from home, the use of cloud services is likely only to increase. With the help of IoT, the growth of cloud services will only increase as the quality of the internet is improving.  

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