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From Fragmented Sites to One Cloud System: Rethinking Multi-Site CCTV

written on 10 February 2026 by Megan Armstrong

As seen in Professional Security Magazine. 

For organisations operating across multiple locations, CCTV is rarely designed as a single, coherent system. Instead, it tends to grow organically: one site upgraded here, another inherited through acquisition, a third still running ageing infrastructure installed years earlier. The result is a fragmented surveillance estate that is difficult to manage, harder to govern, and increasingly out of step with modern security and IT expectations.

For security leaders and integrators responsible for multi-site environments, the challenges are familiar. Visibility is limited, investigations are slow, access controls are inconsistent, and internal teams spend disproportionate time supporting systems that were never designed to scale. As estates expand, so too does the operational and compliance risk.

It is against this backdrop that cloud CCTV — more formally known as Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) — is gaining traction, particularly when delivered as a managed service.

What Is VSaaS, and Why Does It Matter for Multi-Site CCTV?

VSaaS replaces traditional, site-based CCTV management with a centrally delivered cloud platform. Video from multiple locations is streamed securely to the cloud and accessed through a single interface, removing the need for local recorders, complex VPNs, and fragmented user management. SEiNG, developed by Alert Data, is a managed VSaaS platform designed specifically with multi-site organisations in mind. It brings together disparate camera estates — often from different vendors and generations — into one centrally managed system, giving security teams consistent visibility and control across every location. Phil Davies, Operations Director at Alert Data and product lead for SEiNG, explains why this approach resonates so strongly with multi-site operators: “Traditional CCTV systems were built for single sites. Once you scale beyond that, the cracks start to show. SEiNG allows organisations to manage video as one system, regardless of how many locations they operate, bringing in as many legacy or new cameras they need.”

The Multi-Site Pain Point: Fragmentation and Visibility

In a typical multi-site CCTV environment, each location operates in isolation. Footage is stored locally, accessed through different platforms, and managed by separate user databases. Comparing incidents across sites often requires logging into multiple systems — assuming remote access is even possible.

This fragmentation slows investigations and limits situational awareness. Security teams cannot easily identify patterns or respond consistently across locations, while senior stakeholders lack a clear, real-time view of what is happening across the estate.

By contrast, SEiNG provides a single, cloud-based interface through which authorised users can view live and recorded footage from all sites. Investigations can be conducted centrally, backed by collaborative Case management tools, reducing response times and improving operational oversight.

SEiNG managed VSaaS dashboard

Access Control at Scale

Security Role Matrix

Access control is one of the most persistent challenges in multi-site CCTV. In many organisations, permissions are overly broad, with users able to view footage from sites they have no operational need to access. This increases data-protection risk and makes compliance difficult to evidence.

Modern VSaaS platforms like SEiNG address this through role-based access control, site-level permissions, Single Sign On (SSO) and two-Factor authentication. Organisations can therefore define precisely who can access which sites, cameras, and tools, while ensuring permissions are instantly revoked if an employee leaves.

From Ownership to Service — Managed VSaaS

VSaaS also represents a shift away from traditional ownership models. Rather than purchasing or renting recorders and managing them internally, organisations consume video surveillance as a service, with software updates, security patches, and platform improvements delivered automatically. How this service is delivered depends on your Cloud provider. “Many cloud CCTV platforms are essentially self-service,” says Davies. “You get access to the software and updates, but you’re still responsible for configuration, user management, and ongoing support.” SEiNG is delivered as a fully managed VSaaS, combining the benefits of cloud delivery with proactive monitoring, onboarding support, and day-to-day management. For multi-site organisations, this removes much of the operational burden traditionally associated with CCTV. “For customers with dozens of sites, the managed element is often the deciding factor,” Davies adds. “They don’t want another system to run — they want a service that just works.” This shift is also changing the role of integrators. Rather than being tied to one-off installations or ongoing maintenance of on-premise hardware, cloud-based platforms allow integrators to focus on design, deployment, and long-term customer outcomes. For multi-site end users, this means working with partners who can deliver consistency across locations, while relying on a platform that provides the underlying resilience, security, and lifecycle management.

Avoiding ‘Rip and Replace’ Across Multiple Sites

Another barrier to modernising multi-site CCTV is the assumption that existing cameras must be replaced. With SEiNG, any ONVIF or RTSP camera is supported, allowing organisations to retain functional hardware while standardising management in the cloud.

This is particularly valuable in multi-site estates, where camera infrastructure is rarely consistent. By avoiding unnecessary replacement, organisations can migrate at pace, control costs, and reduce disruption. “Multi-site estates are almost always a mix,” Davies explains. “A platform that works with what’s already there is essential.”

SEiNG Cloud CCTV total cost of ownership

A Multi-Site Case Study: Mercedes-Benz South West

Mercedes-Benz South West provides a clear example of how managed VSaaS can transform multi-site CCTV operations. Operating multiple dealership locations, the organisation faced slow investigations, limited cross-site visibility, and challenges around access control. By adopting SEiNG as its cloud CCTV platform, Mercedes-Benz South West consolidated its surveillance estate into a single, centrally managed system. This enabled faster incident response, improved oversight across sites, and more robust governance. William Ross, Group IT Manager at Mercedes-Benz South West, says: “SEiNG has transformed the way we manage security. Investigations are faster, monitoring is easier, and our teams can focus on what really matters – supporting our customers.”

Read full case study

Built for the Reality of Multi-Site Security

As security operations become more closely aligned with IT, expectations around resilience, governance, and scalability continue to rise. For multi-site organisations, CCTV can no longer be treated as a collection of isolated systems.

Managed VSaaS platforms such as SEiNG reflect a broader shift in how security technology is delivered — from products to services, from local systems to centralised platforms.

“Multi-site security teams don’t need more technology,” Davies concludes. “They need clarity, consistency, and systems that scale with them.”

For organisations and integrators working with fragmented CCTV estates, VSaaS offers a compelling alternative: one platform, one set of controls, and full visibility across every site.

See for yourself how it works: watch the 5-minute demo video.

Watch 5-minute SEiNG demo

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