A CCTV system is a key part of a security system, but did you know that CCTV software and video analytics could enhance it further and help create a more secure and safe site for your business, employees and visitors? Read our full guide to CCTV software and video analytics to learn all there is to know to maximise your system.
CCTV software is an additional application that can be used alongside and in combination with a CCTV system. It will act to provide further capabilities that a CCTV system alone won’t be able to achieve and is a great way to enhance a current system.
Some CCTV systems may already have some CCTV software installed on them, but most software can be added additionally. This means that a business can really start to customise their CCTV system will all the tools and programmes they need, with the help of CCTV software.
There are multiple types of CCTV software on the market, with many brands offering software with similar features. However, some of the main types of software are:
Each type of software will have its own set of benefits that will positively impact a CCTV system. However, some of the general benefits of using CCTV software are:
Video analytics is one of the most popular types of CCTV software. It is an advanced technology that uses an algorithm to read and process a CCTV system’s video footage data, which then, based on the data identified, can be set up to trigger or perform security-related actions and processes.
Video analytics work by monitoring current CCTV camera footage. The software is searching for the chosen activity trigger set up by the security team and will send an alert notification when it has been detected. How video analytics identifies activity, is determined by the parameters set when the software is set up. These parameters tell the software what to look for and the process in which to alert the necessary team.
Video analytics can be set up to identify key data such as certain individuals, vehicles, objects as well as their movements and appearances. Once a trigger has been set up and activated, an alarm will sound to the security team monitoring the CCTV system. They will then be alerted to the incident and can carry out their relevant duties. The use of video analytics can therefore eliminate any potential security breach or risk caused by human error, due to it carrying out an automatic and reliable process.
No, video analytics is not a legal requirement but it can improve the overall security of a site and maximise the capabilities of your current CCTV system.
Video analytics provide a more reactive response to site security triggers, therefore reducing the likelihood of criminal activity from being carried out. Facial recognition will help eliminate unknown personnel being on-site and motion detection will help stop any intruder in their tracks.
CCTV downtime can lead to compromised site security. The use of video analytics can help identify any vandalism towards or tampering with any of the systems CCTV cameras by sounding an alarm when the activity occurs, as well as alert the necessary security team. This, therefore, allows for a quick response and minimum downtime and disruption to the system. Without it, it would be days or weeks before anyone notices that certain cameras aren’t working as they should.
Risk and hazards can be identified with the use of video analytics, which can significantly increase the health & safety of a site by reducing the likelihood of accidents.
Another benefit of video analytics is that it sends automatic, real-time notifications when activity has been detected. This allows for a rapid response from the dedicated security team.
Save costs on labour with video analytics, due to not needing a dedicated security team to be constantly waiting the monitor of a CCTV system waiting for something to occur. Instead, their efforts can be put elsewhere, due to knowing that an instant notification will be sent when an activity trigger has been detected.
Video analytics can help with overall site management and identifying key areas within the site that could be considered stress points. For instance, perhaps it’s a one-way system that causes a build-up of individuals or traffic, or maybe an area that has become more vulnerable and needs higher levels of security.
Video analytics can be used to recognise specific faces within CCTV footage. This is particularly useful if certain individuals are known to the security team. Therefore, when they are detected, the security team will be notified and they can work to evict them from the premises.
Detecting motion and other movements is another feature of video analytics. Key areas and parameters can be set that if movement is detected within them, a notification is sent or an alarm is sounded. This is particularly useful for businesses during out of hours or for highly secure areas. Movement detected is likely to imply an intruder has entered the site. Video analytics will therefore catch them in their tracks.
Video analytics can also detect specific vehicle registration plates. A similar process to facial recognition, certain vehicles can be identified as well as those that are not recognised, for example, a vehicle that doesn’t belong to an employee.
Video analytics is a great tool for crowd management, arguably an essential tool for businesses in the events, retail and hospitality industries. The software counts the number of individuals or vehicles and therefore knows how many are in a particular area. This is a great tool in controlling the number of people or traffic in a zone as well as identifying brawls and fights.
Another use of video analytics is to identify unattended items or baggage, both of which could be a huge security risk, especially in areas of high security and concern such as airports, train stations, museums and more.
The use of video analytics to detect fire is incredibly useful. It acts as an extra layer of safety to your fire system, especially in the stages whereby heat or smoke have not set off the alarm.
Do you need more information surrounding CCTV software and video analytics? Get in touch and one of the BusinessWatch team will be happy to help answer any of your questions. Simply call us on 0330 094 7404 or fill out our online form.
