The Pros and Cons of a CCTV System

One of the most recent advancements in modern technology has to be the creation of the CCTV camera system. Here in Singapore, you may have noticed CCTV installations in public places, installed to prevent crime and uphold peace on the island. There are many benefits to CCTV technology, such as added security, to the point that we can see much of it used here in Singapore, in offices, houses, and public places. But as with any piece of helpful technology, CCTV camera systems have its own drawbacks, due to irresponsible usage.

If you’re thinking about installing a CCTV system in your home or office, you might be thinking about weighing the pros and cons of a CCTV camera. After all, there are a lot of valid concerns against a CCTV system. Here we look at all the advantages and disadvantages of a CCTV system, to guide your choice on whether to purchase one or not.

Pros
1. Heightened monitoring
The main purpose of a CCTV system is giving you the ability to see everything that happens in an area. With the push of a button, an officer can easily rewind the tape to aid in an investigation, have a secured doorway control program in Singapore, or a mom could check the feed to check up on the family cat. Rather than just lessening crime, there are also other practical things that a monitoring system can let you do, both in the workplace and in the home.

In a company workplace, an office camera can boost productivity. With the ability to monitor your employees, you have an accurate record as well as evidence about the daily habits of your employees. You can also monitor the punctuality of your employees. With a CCTV camera, you have a record of when an employee arrives or leaves. With video evidence, which can give you a good idea of why an employee is habitually late and how best to avoid it.

At home, a CCTV system can help you locate items that have been misplaced. Short of proving that someone came in and stole an item, you can use a monitoring system to prove if it was you who misplaced an item, or if someone else in the house took it for themselves. No more walking around trying to trace your steps, making a mess while trying to look for your keys or wallet. You could easily check the records to find them in no time. You can also check up on other members of the family, including pets.

2. Maintain records
If something interesting happened in your own backyard, you always have a record of it. Whether it’s a crime or simply something that you would like to be reminded of, such as the face of a new neighbor, you could easily consult your CCTV records. Since a CCTV can organize information systematically, you wouldn’t even have to worry too much about going through records and will be able to find your clip easily.

IP CCTV such as Singapore http://www.secureoffice.sg/cctv/ can even give you more access to your records. Since an IP camera is designed to be accessed over the internet, you can check your records even if you’re on the road, and view footage in real-time.

3. Lessen crime
In the UK, CCTV has been shown to reduce crime by up to 50%, closing half more cases than they would have without the use of a security camera. CCTVs can undoubtedly help reduce crime rates not just in public areas, but also in private spaces, such as homes and offices. While the UK often use more expensive IP CCTV, you may still lessen crime with a good analog camera.

An analog camera is still a good alternative especially if you’re tight on budget, or if you’re simply securing a small private space, like a home or office. While an IP camera has a few benefits over analog, such as heightened resolution and remote access, it may be a bit too much for the average homeowner.

Cons
1. Can make people uncomfortable and breach privacy
Here in Singapore, there are a lot of people who are not comfortable with a security camera, and it’s not hard to see why. Having your actions monitored 24/7 can make people feel anxious. It may raise issues of trust and privacy, especially in private spaces. In professional environments as well as within homes, it can stir controversy and be offensive to the people being monitored.

2. Vulnerable
Even the most expensive IP camera isn’t 100% safe. As with any piece of technology, there are still vulnerabilities in a CCTV system, which can be a huge deterrent to anyone planning to invest in a system. Criminals, with enough determination and know-how, can disable or access your CCTV system. However, it should be noted that there are still a lot of steps you can take to keep your system safe from tampering, such as getting your model from a trusted manufacturer or making sure that all connections are closed off and secure.

3. Unable to stop crime
While CCTV systems have been shown to lessen criminal activity and raise the probability of wrong-doers being caught, CCTV cameras are still just that: cameras. It can only record the crime as it happens. It will be unable to do anything about it, unlike an alarm system which can alert the proper authorities. Therefore, CCTV cameras aren’t very effective in stopping crime as it happens; you will need to pair it with other security systems, such as an alarm system, to make sure that you are fully protected from crime.