Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

A closed circuit television system uses televisions and cameras for surveillance and security purposes. There is a large need for this type of security in places such as military and governmental buildings, airports, banks, casinos, large department stores, and even offices or small businesses. A convenience store or other small business may use CCTV, but may only require as little as one or two stationary black and white cameras to monitor daily activity; while larger businesses may need hundreds of color cameras capable of panning and tilting motions and a staff to monitor and operate the closed circuit system.

CCTV cameras can be extremely important tools in recording illegal actions that occur within the premises of a business and can also serve as vital evidence in the case of a trial.

Images from CCTV can be digitally recorded to be reviewed at a later time, viewed on a monitor by a technician/employee, or even viewed over the internet giving you remote access from wherever you are.

A closed circuit television system provides a business with security against criminals and can also allow employers to monitor their employees. If you are worried about employee harassment, or would like to monitor your employee's performance, CCTV can record what goes on inside your business. If you think that your work environment seems safe and that it may not need CCTV, consider these statistics.

• An average of 1.7 million people were victims of violent crime while working in the U.S. each year from 1993 to 1999. (Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics)
• For the same period, over 800 workplace homicides occurred per year. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries)
• One out of four full-time workers has harassed, threatened or attacked on the job. (Source: Northwestern Life Insurance Company study)

However, keep in mind that employees must be notified if you intend to implement CCTV technology in your place of business. Be sure to discuss this with you vender and review the federal privacy laws to make sure your monitoring complies with said laws.