Two articles regarding security are featured today were written by Mike Hassebrock.

The Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance systems today are no longer standalone devices. CCTV camera systems began making tremendous technological progress in the last decade due to the invention of DVR (Digital Video Recorder) technology.  Once CCTV systems moved off the VHS tape technology platform and started converting video images into a digital format, it opened up a whole new world of opportunities to integrate CCTV cameras with other security and information system technologies.  Originally, CCTV surveillance systems were simply designed as deterrents and delivered low quality, black and white images. Today they are much more than just standalone devices. Using digital technology and the vast improvements in camera lens technology CCTV systems can do many functions to better secure and protect a business, home or even an entire community. 

The versatility of CCTV DVR camera systems allow them to work alongside other technologies: 

• Integrating it with alarm systems to send a security alarm signal if a person enters a restricted area.
• Work with access control systems to verify the person that is swiping their card is the actual person requesting access.
• Ability to link into cash registers to oversee cash register transactions, verify receipts and identify theft. 

These are only a few basic ways that CCTV DVR systems are able to work with other security and information systems. 

At a much more advanced level, CCTV systems can be designed to work on local area networks (LANs) and interface with other databases.  For example, CCTV cameras can capture a license plate number and then convert that number into a digital format so it can be cross-referenced against a national database to see if the vehicle is stolen. 

As video recording and imaging software technologies continue to advance, the CCTV camera system will become a video analytics tool that can anticipate events based on movement and behaviors.  Intelligent video algorithms, such as sophisticated motion detection, can identify unusual walking patterns and alert a guard to watch a particular video screen. Also, object-recognition algorithms can identify someone who might simply be loitering, or even a briefcase or a suspicious object that is left in an unusual or unsuspecting location. 

These video surveillance capabilities will become even more sophisticated as IP Cameras continue to advance.  In the future, IP cameras will be able to process the intelligent video algorithm right inside the camera.  Being an IP camera on the network, this information can be sent to any device or security agency in the world for analysis and decision processing.
When investing in a CCTV surveillance camera system consider the possibilities and numerous benefits of integrating with monitoring devices, alarm systems and access control devices.  This will help identify and interrupt security breaches as they’re occurring or even before they take place. 

Written by Mike Hassebrock from The Security Product Depot 

The Security Product Depot is an established online provider of physical security products. As an innovative supplier of online security solutions, they are committed to offering the broadest array of CCTV camera systems, door hardware, locks, and safes for securing government, school facilities, commercial businesses and residents.