CCTV is the most common security investment a business makes, and one of the easiest to get wrong. Camera counts and megapixels grab the attention, but the systems that actually earn their keep are designed around how the site is used and what the footage needs to achieve. Here is what really matters when choosing one.
Start with the purpose, not the cameras
Before looking at hardware, be clear on what each camera is for. Deterrence, general monitoring, identifying faces at entry points, reading vehicle number plates, or covering one specific risk area are all different jobs. Each needs a different camera type, lens and position. A well-planned ten-camera system routinely outperforms a poorly planned twenty-camera one.
Resolution is not the whole story
Higher resolution helps, but lighting, lens choice, frame rate and camera placement matter just as much. A 4K camera pointed into glare, or mounted too high to capture facial detail, will still produce footage that is no use to anyone. Low-light performance is often the real differentiator on commercial sites, where incidents tend to happen after dark.
Recording, storage and retention
Decide how long footage needs to be kept. Many businesses settle on around 30 days, but insurers or sector rules may require more. Storage should be sized for that retention period at the resolution and frame rate you actually need, and the recorder should be housed somewhere secure so it cannot simply be removed along with the evidence.
Remote access and monitoring
Viewing live and recorded footage securely from a phone or laptop is now standard, and genuinely useful for anyone running more than one site. For higher-risk premises, footage can be linked to a monitoring centre so that alarms are verified by a person before a response is dispatched.
Do not overlook data protection
CCTV that records identifiable people brings UK GDPR obligations: clear signage, a lawful basis for recording, sensible retention periods, and controlled access to footage. A good installer will help you set the system up so that compliance is built in from the start rather than bolted on later. If you would like a system designed around your site rather than a box of cameras, request a site survey and we will plan the coverage with you.