A buyer's guide for business owners on what to look out for when planning for and procuring a CCTV security/ surveillance system.

1. CCTV CAMERAS & VIDEO
SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS
Buyers’ guide & Best practices for Business owners
(1st
Edition)
Technology White Paper
IMAGE

2. Whatever the nature of business, safety and security – whether physical or virtual, of its constituent
elements like practices, staff, information and physical property is no longer an afterthought but a vital
aspect that’s almost intrinsic in most major planning and execution decisions.
Of all physical security options a business can consider, CCTV surveillance systems are among the most
robust and efficient options – in terms of ease of use, deployability, deterrence and general value for
money.
An important factor to note that physical security is more important than CCTV alone. A CCTV system
or camera, on its own, will not provide the security that business premises ought to have. As far as
deterrence is concerned, an individual with criminal intents may not be put off by the presence of CCTV
cameras if they think they have a chance of committing an offence and getting away with it.
It’s thus important for a business owner or manager to ensure that physical security at the premises is
as good as it can possibly be before investing in a CCTV system or cameras. The level and efficiency of
physical security is a major factor in not only slowing down a criminal act, but in a criminal deciding
whether or not to carry out a crime, regardless of the presence of cameras.
 Safety & Security
- Arguably, the major reason for CCTV cameras in business premises.
- It’s widely accepted that cases of break ins and robberies around and in premises with
premises with visible security cameras installed decrease by a margin considerable enough
to warrant their existence. Their mere presence is a huge deterrence, to both outsiders
and staff.
- In premises with dedicated monitoring staff, potential security and safety incidents can be
averted e.g. rowdy customers threatening staff, at parking lots and offloading bays, etc.
 Supervision
- Large businesses (with a lot of staff or covering large geographical areas/ multiple floors)
use cameras to keep track of, not just staff but other individuals like delivery drivers,
contractors, visitors, etc.
 Conflict resolution
- Cases of in-house conflicts e.g. thefts, altercations, accidents, etc. are easily resolved by
using CCTV footage replays.
 Access Control
- Depending on the complexity of the acquired system, facial recognition cameras can be
used to admit and deny access to staff all over the premises depending on security
clearance configurations.
Major reasons for a CCTV system / Cameras for a business;
INTRODUCTION

3. While the importance of CCTV systems for businesses cannot be overstated, it’s common to find that
majority of CCTV systems & cameras currently in use by business establishments just barely fulfil their
intended purpose, that is, they fail to provide the evidential quality needed for investigations and
conflict resolution.
Ill-considered and poorly installed/ positioned cameras often result in wastage of time and effort in
trying to retrieve and analyze data, which is a major frustration point for business owners and
managers.
It would be disappointing to come to a conclusion that investment in a CCTV security camera or system
in favour of traditional physical security (good locks and guards, for instance) has failed to render any
discernible or additional security to the premises.
With a little foreknowledge and prudent planning, a CCTV system can prove to be valuable asset for the
business, its employees and customers, without infringing on their rights and privacies, a major concern
especially for staff.

4.  A DIY Install: Buy the system/ cameras and do the Install in-house.
- This could be a cost saving measure, especially for businesses that have or have access to IT
personnel.
- But the fact remains that the business owner or the staff member(s) undertaking need prior basic
knowledge in CCTV systems and cameras or need to invest in such knowledge.
- Additionally, the business owner needs to have or have access to tools and equipment required
for the install (ladders, harnesses, power tools, etc.) Complexity of the tools and equipment
depend on the configuration/ layout of the premises e.g. size, height, etc.
- There are many downsides to this approach. The first is safety. CCTV systems involve working with
electricity/ electrical systems. Amateurish cabling and wiring is a potential injury, fire and even
death hazard. Additionally, mishandling of power tools and equipment could also result in injury.
- Less severe but still costly downsides include shoddy jobs, substandard hardware and no warranty
or support agreements that could prove to be costly to maintain over time.
 Buy the system/cameras and engage an installer.
- It’s imperative that the business owner/manager have prior knowledge of CCTV systems and how
they work, including general costs and prices of associated hardware. If not, then investment in
such knowledge cannot be overstated.
- It’s a fairly cost saving measure, even though the business might have to bear the costs faulty or
substandard hardware, not to mention agreements like warranties, support, etc.
- Additionally, depending on the level of knowledge by the purchaser, there is a risk of buying
cameras ill-suited for the particular layout or dynamics of the premises e.g. lens range – for width
and distance, night vision, weather proof ability, etc.
 Have a professional installer handle every aspect undertake every aspect of the project.
- This is usually the most advisable approach, especially with larger establishments and for more
complicated systems.
- The attendant benefits like replacements on faulty hardware, professional workmanship,
warranties and support agreements almost always outweigh the money spent on paying for
installation/ labour charges.
There are basically three ways a business can approach an install

5. Having a list of factors to consider before even purchasing a CCTV system or engaging an installer, would
not only save money but would in the short and long run ensure that there is no mismatch between the
expectation of what a system ought to do versus what it actually does. This would also reduce conflicts
between the business owner/ manager and an installer, contentions which, in the case of large
installations, could lead to lawsuits by either party.
 Purpose
- In businesses cameras are used mainly for two purposes;
Security & safety
- By far the most common reason for CCTV systems in business premises.
- A lot of them would be weather and vandal proof, since they are mostly outside on walls
and metal posts and directly or indirectly in harm’s way, vulnerable to vandals and to the
elements.
- Some other features would include long distance night vision and wide dynamic range.
Monitoring & supervision.
- Large businesses or those that cover larger geographical areas or with a lot of staff tend to
employ cameras for supervision and tracking of not just employees but also contractors and
visitors, e.g. warehouses, farms, multi-floor offices.
- Cameras used specifically for monitoring might have extra features like two-way audio,
track and trace, wireless connectivity, pan & tilt and facial recognition which could be used
in conjunction with access control systems.
- A lot of times cameras are used for both purposes simultaneously though.
 Infrastructure
- Especially for larger businesses with an already established network system, it’s crucial to
understand whether the CCTV system will piggyback on the existing Ethernet network (in
the case of IP camera systems) or be installed to run separately and independent of the
network.
- It more cost effective to incorporate IP cameras onto the network. It saves on cabling and
labour charges but the costly downside would be an overwhelmed network that could bring
business processes to a standstill (if not well planned).
- A site survey and analysis by a qualified installer should be able to provide information to
aid in not just the type of install to do but what type of hardware/ system to procure.
 The Law
- Depending on the local laws where the business is located, laws and guidelines governing
privacy concerns ought to be considered.
- For instance in many urban centers, a CCTV camera’s view might cover areas beyond the
business premises, i.e. parts of public roads, parks, other business premises, etc. This means
that owners might be subject to the Data Protection Act (DPA).
- In some cases, they might even have to be registered with local authorities.
- Additionally, specific signage that notifies (the public, visitors and neighbours) that CCTV
cameras are in use to aid in the prosecution of a crime committed against the premises may
need to be placed conspicuously.
- CCTV cameras mounted for instance, mounted higher than 2.5m above the ground and
protruding more than 1m from the building or beyond the perimeter wall into public space
might require special permission from local authorities.
What to consider before installing cameras

6.  Budget
- Analogue CCTV are cheaper to buy and install than IP cameras. Installation of analogue
systems at a basic level can be attempted by a lot of inexperienced installers unlike IP
systems that require specialized knowledge (and tools).
- The available budget will also help a business owner/ manager to prioritize which areas to
cover and which to leave to chance. For security purposes, priority areas are entry and exit
points, common areas and valuable/ restricted areas.
- Keeping in mind that price doesn’t always equate to quality, it’s always advisable to go with
less units of expensive but high quality hardware rather than more of cheap substandard
hardware. More would be spent in the in the long run on replacements and maintenance of
cheap systems.
- There’s also a choice of going with regular cables or costly armoured cables, depending on
how vulnerable they would be when run.
 Size
- Size of the premises determine what type to go with. Consider a farm or a large expanse of
open space e.g. airport, yard. Such a site would be better served with long range wireless
cameras because cabling could be extremely time consuming and costly or in some cases
impossible.
- Analogue systems, though cheaper, could prove to be more costly for expansive
establishments due to the amount of cable needed to run all the lengths. An IP system
cabling on the other hand, if well planned, can be segmented and re-distributed,
incorporated into the existing network and connected wirelessly. Several Ethernet
topologies can be utilized to achieve the goal.
 Immediate environment
- Business premises next to public roads, parks, alleys, etc. would need to invest in sturdier,
industrial grade cameras as they are susceptible to being vandalized. To reduce the
probability of them being vandalized, they would need to be mounted higher, out of reach.
In which case, they need to have long range vision otherwise they would be useless at such
heights.
- Other activities around the premises should also be considered. Proximity to places with
heavy industrial machinery or military bases might introduce problems like electromagnetic
interference that would affect the working of wireless cameras and overhead coaxial
cables.
 Topography/ nature
- Rocky or uneven surfaces would pretty much eliminate the option of underground cabling.
- For a heavily forested site, it would be perilous to have overhead cables snaking around
trees, especially if these cables carry power. Falling twigs or birds and animals could snap
them and cause an electric short circuit, potentially causing a fire.
- In whichever case, when outdoor cabling is needed in such environments, it’s advisable to
go with armoured cable, which is pricier but way more suited to withstand abuse and the
vagaries of the weather.

7. What features to look for in a CCTV system depend on a myriad of factors, some of them being purpose
for their installation, budget and the layout & dynamics of the business premises in which they are to be
installed. Useful features are those that translate to direct benefits for the business owner / manager.
Image clarity
- As much as CCTV system work best as a deterrence system, clarity of footage is vital incase
its actually needed – otherwise the evidence would be inadmissible if the picture is too
grainy or vague.
- Thus, care should be taken when choosing the lens type and how they perform in conditions
of low or no light, distance, etc. Higher resolution cameras deliver crisper images but the
downside to watch out for could be high latency resulting in choppy images – a result of
poor initial network planning before installation.
Data storage & retention
- Some systems come with pre-installed storage – either permanent or expandable. Most
however require storage media to be purchased on the side. Without storage, the system
is merely a surveillance tool and could prove to be useless when video/picture evidence is
required.
- For a security system, special surveillance hard drives rather than regular PC hard drives
ought to be used as they have the resilience to withstand constant 24-hour read and write.
For stand-alone cameras, similar SD cards exist that are built purposely for high density CCTV
recording tasks.
- Capacity is also a factor to keep in mind. The higher the capacity the greater the amount of
video footage retention time. It would be almost useless to have a security system retain
footage for only a day, especially if it’s passive i.e. has no one actively manning and watching
proceedings. .
- Cloud storage is also another option. Most modern system allow for direct cloud backup of
footage or images. Whether that would be cost effective depends on the dynamics of the
business.
Recording & compression
- Apart from storage, recording type and compression method determine the duration of
footage retention.
- Motion recording ensures that only instances where motion is detected are recorded thus
saving storage space. Most modern system allow the user to not only enable motion
recording but to customize parameters e.g. sensitivity, post and pre-record time limits,
scope of motion, etc. The downside can be that useful events are missed either due to poor
lighting, poorly set parameters, poor detection from poor quality cameras, etc. a good
system should be able to allow for both motion and constant recording, just in case
conditions don’t favour motion recording.
- Compression is vital in that recorded footage is compressed so as to occupy the least
possible space on the storage media, which are then decompressed when the footage is
transferred to separate media for viewing. The better the compression method the less
precious space footage will occupy on the hard drive plus make video playback faster. The
most common storage formats for CCTV are H264, H265 & H265+.
What to look for in a CCTV Security System Package

8. Support
- It’s vital to acquire systems from credible manufacturers with at least an online presence, for
issues like updates, parts and general technical support.
- When engaging an installer, it’s also important to look at agreements like maintenance
agreements, warranties, and technical support – either remote or onsite. This is especially
important for larger complicated systems / businesses where in-house technical capabilities
might not be enough to fully maintain the system.
Security
- Low level security systems can be installed in a quick plug-&-play fashion without the need to
create user accounts and other security credentials. They’re easy to set up but are also a
breeze to hack into.
- Secure systems require security credentials to be parameterized before use. The same goes
for remote access apps and platforms. Secure systems don’t allow other remote users to
access the system without express authorization from the admin account. This is critical for a
business owner/manager when trying to keep track of which individuals/departments have
access to the system.
Remote access
- Almost every modern CCTV system allows for remote access. Each manufacturer has their
own platform and app to use for their systems but it would help to find a system that has an
app that’s not just straight forward but secure and updatable.
- Low level systems tend to have open source apps and platforms that aren’t specific to any
system and tend to be very insecure.
Durability & resilience
- A good system ought to be able to handle conditions of the environment in which it’s
supposed to work in.
- Outdoor cameras ought to withstand the elements like rain, direct sunlight, dust and
occasional hits from twigs and pebbles. Indoor cameras might be less physically robust but
that shouldn’t mean fragility. Ability to withstand e.g. power failures and fluctuations without
internal components like storage media and lenses being fried is an important factor.
Channels / Input capacity
- The system ought to have enough input channels if not slightly more to cater for future expansion.
It’s more prudent to have extra channels on an NVR unused than to have to buy a new NVR to add
one vital camera.
Additional features
- As with other technical systems, CCTV systems can come with a slew of features, some
useful and some impractical depending on the environment the system is being deployed in.
- Different cameras achieve their potential in different setting. Long range lens cameras are
suitable for outdoor scenarios like driveways, parking lots or being mounted up high but
would deliver a substandard image or view in a constrained place, like a room. Same goes
for short range, wide view cameras suitable for a room but nearly useless for a long
driveway or a parking lot. Features like vari-focal lenses could help adjust the camera to suit
the particular setting. Other features like zoom, pan and tilt, long distance night vision could
also be a consideration.

9. Maintenance of an installed system
Playback & storage
- This is probably one of the most vital checks to perform periodically. It can be frustrating (and
potentially costly) to have a fatal incident occur and have no way of reviewing footage for proof
and ascertainment because the storage medium wasn’t recording in the first place.
- Once a week, a quick check performed by the manager can ensure that events are being recorded.
Passwords
- In a lot of DIYs or installations by inexperienced installers, it’s common to find either default
passwords or commonplace passwords in use e.g. admin, 12345, 1-9, birthdays, name of
owner/business, year of installation, etc. these should be steered well clear of.
- It’s advisable to have a maintenance schedule to change passwords, especially when the system
is accessed by several individuals/ departments. It’s especially vital when someone previously
managing/ accessing the system is no longer supposed to.
Check camera angle soften
- Over time, cameras could to lose the view for which they were intended to cover through being
moved, turned or twisted (intentionally or inadvertently). Checking and refocusing skewed
camera angles would help, especially in cases where footage needs to be reviewed but the
incident happened outside the range of view.
- Also loose camera brackets, holders can have the camera sway in strong winds or be knocked
off position by birds, falling twigs, rain, etc.
Lighting & obstacles
- Certain cameras might have been installed in an area with sufficient lighting but over time, lights
blew out, were changed/ relocated or post-installation structures like canopies, shades and walls
becoming obstacles which cast shadows that make the camera ineffective, particularly at night.
- Also regular cleaning of the camera lens would help. Over time, dust, cobwebs and cocoons
would be found around and in front of the camera. Cobwebs especially affect the working of
infrared light from the camera at night as it tends to bounce off back to the lens, therefore
blinding the camera.
Cables
- Over time cables can become exposed or hang loosely off the walls (depending on the how
professionally they were installed in the first place). Hanging cables can easily snap and exposed
cables can be frayed or cut by human or animal activity. A potentially dangerous situation would
be cables that also carry power and video. Electrical shock and a fire are a potential result of the
cable breaking.
Vendor maintenance agreements
- For busy business owners and managers, keeping track of maintenance schedules for technical
systems might be too much. They tend to be postponed or overlooked altogether leading to their
deterioration and failing when they are most needed.
- Thus it’s prudent especially for larger, more complicated systems to have maintenance
agreements with the installer or qualified technical persons who would ensure potential faults are
spotted and rectified in time.

10. Slim Bz TechSystems – I.T Systems Engineering
Boney Maundu Slim – Tech Consultancy & Management
Tel: 0719 393664
www.slimbztechsystems
Nairobi, Kenya
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