What is Cloud CCTV?

The evolution of Cloud CCTV

Cloud CCTV systems began with the shift from analogue to digital surveillance in the early 2000s, marked by the introduction of IP cameras. These cameras transmitted footage over a network, eliminating bulky VHS tapes and enabling remote access through Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and Network Video Recorders (NVRs).

Whilst these technologies improved recording quality and flexibility, they still required on-site management and were limited by network infrastructure. As the 2010s rolled in, the cloud revolutionised the technological landscape, with video surveillance benefiting greatly by allowing businesses to break free from the physical limitations of traditional hardware.

This led to the development of cloud cameras and cloud NVR systems, where all data was processed and stored off-site, streamlining system management and making remote access more seamless. These cloud solutions provided automatic updates, enhanced user interfaces, and scalability, making them increasingly attractive for both businesses and consumers.

Bringing us to today, where true Cloud solutions like SEiNG are leading the way in the VSaaS space, providing a security platform with a web-based management interface and all data storage off-site.

How does Cloud CCTV work?

A Cloud CCTV platform like SEiNG converts recorded footage into digital data and securely transmits it to cloud servers for storage and management. This eliminates the storage limitations of on-site solutions, allowing users to store, access, and manage their surveillance data remotely. The system ensures security with encrypted connections when transmitting data to remote server storage.

In Cloud CCTV platforms, the following components work together to ensure reliable data handling:

Video Capture and Transmission

IP cameras capture video footage and convert it into digital data for transmission. The data is encrypted both at rest and in flight to maintain security.

Cloud Storage and Management

Secure data centres with multiple security layers form the backbone of cloud storage systems. Smart bandwidth management features help optimise data transmission. The systems also feature local buffering capabilities to prevent footage loss during a potential internet outage.

Web-based Reviewing Platform

Users can securely access footage from anywhere with an internet connection, without the need for additional software or apps.

Users can securely view live or recorded images from anywhere and at any time through a standard web browser. With full access to a range of sophisticated search features using the latest AI-powered video analytic technology and object classification.

What are the key benefits of Cloud CCTV?

Cloud-based security cameras offer a more flexible and reliable video surveillance platform, overcoming many limitations of traditional systems.

CCTV that grows with your business: easily increase camera numbers and storage to meet changing business needs

Effortlessly manage multiple sites: Cloud CCTV offers an easy-to-use interface to help streamline multi-site management

Immediate insight from anywhere: remotely monitor your premises in real-time

Integrate with other technologies: ideal if your business is moving towards Cloud infrastructure for other applications

Go beyond basic security with advanced features: take advantage of cutting-edge technology like ANPR, facial recognition, anomaly detection, video analytics and object tracking

Keep your data safe: Data encryption and replicated, highly available storage ensures your footage is protected from data loss, even in the event of hardware failure.
Reduce hardware on-site: save space and lower ongoing costs associated with large-scale onsite hardware, including energy consumption, power, and cooling requirements. This results in a more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective solution for your business.

Who Is Cloud CCTV For?

Cloud CCTV is beneficial for businesses across multiple industries, that require scalable and flexible security solutions. Advanced features can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your business.

Retail: monitor customer activity, prevent theft and ensure staff safety

Construction: manage health and safety requirements while protecting high-value assets from theft and vandalism

Hospitality: improve security, guest safety, and operational monitoring

Government: infrastructure to align with the Government’s digital transformation, encouraging maximum scalability and flexibility
Educational institutions: ensure campus security and monitor student safety

How Much Does Cloud CCTV Cost?

The price of your Cloud CCTV system will depend on your provider. However, as an example of Cloud video surveillance pricing, SEiNG’s VSaaS starts at £5 per month and includes everything from your storage at a UK data centre to upgrades.

Some Cloud CCTV providers require you to purchase hardware such as adaptor devices or advanced cameras. This will add to the cost of your surveillance system. Other providers like SEiNG are hardware agnostic and can work with your existing cameras, making it a more cost-effective option.

On-Premise vs Cloud CCTV: key differences

Traditional on-premise CCTV systems use on-site physical recording devices such as Network Video Recorders. This approach has storage capacity limitations and access can require specific client software.

In contrast, Cloud video surveillance systems eliminate the need for extensive on-site hardware and provides several key advantages.

Futureproofing your business from changing surveillance needs

When you choose a traditional CCTV system, selecting the appropriate server size to future-proof your business can be challenging. Too big, and you risk spending unnecessary funds. Too small, and you’ll have to restrict your storage and the opportunity to expand your system – or face significant investments in additional hardware.

In contrast, you only pay for what you need with a Cloud service and can easily scale with changing business requirements – whether that’s by adding cameras, increasing storage or expanding to another site.

Keeping your data safe

Your on-premise CCTV stores your data on-site in a standard DVR, NVR, or even in the individual camera. This may seem like a safer option for businesses handling sensitive information. However, it’s important to consider risks that could compromise the security of your footage – from hardware failures to theft and local damage.

With features like Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), storing data in the cloud instead will minimise the risk of data loss and enhance security through advanced encryption protocols, data backups, and regular security updates.

Total Cost of Ownership: CapEx or OpEx in video surveillance

A traditional on-premise solution typically follows a Capital Expenditure (CapEx) model, requiring a large upfront investment to cover the cost of system components and infrastructure. In addition, equipment such as hard drives as well as on-going support and maintenance will also need to be accounted for.

The flexible nature of Cloud infrastructure means that VSaaS operates on an operating Expenditure (OpEx) model. There are often little to no upfront costs, instead a comprehensive subscription payment that covers both the initial investment and ongoing maintenance or upgrade costs. This is especially the case for hardware agnostic Cloud CCTV systems like SEiNG, that enhances your existing cameras saving you money on new hardware.

To determine whether a CapEx with an on-premise solution or a OpEx with Cloud CCTV is right for you, consider your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). It’s likely that, over time, the additional expenses accrued from maintenance, storage and upgrades of an on-premise solution will make it more costly compared to the predictable subscription based OpEx model of Cloud video surveillance solutions.

Easy maintenance and automatic updates

Cloud-based CCTV systems offer streamlined maintenance and updates by transferring responsibilities to your service provider. As such, your organisation is no longer responsible for the upkeep of hardware components like servers and storage devices, nor do you need to worry about operating systems reaching their end of life (EOL) every few years.

With cloud-based systems, your service provider ensures that software and operating systems are automatically updated, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. This minimises the burden on your internal resources, offers predictable costs, and ensures you always have the most feature-rich version of your system.

On-premise systems require more hands-on management. Dedicated IT personnel are required to manage maintenance activities, taking the focus away from other business critical tasks. Ongoing maintenance may also result in unpredictable expenses, particularly if hardware repairs are required.

Minimal on-site equipment

Businesses are adopting ‘Cloud-first’ strategies to reduce on-site hardware, particularly if provided by third parties. Hardware can be expensive to look after, requiring air-conditioned environments, IT expertise, cybersecurity protection and ongoing support. A cloud-based surveillance system removes the expense and ongoing costs associated with large scale onsite hardware.

Access and monitoring

Cloud video surveillance will enable you to remotely access your real-time video footage at the click of a button, anywhere that you have internet access. If you have multiple sites or require real-time monitoring, this flexibility is sure to help you manage your surveillance more effectively.

On-premise CCTV systems generally require you to be physically present or connected to your local system to view footage. Whilst you could configure remote access with VPNs, it adds a layer of complexity and is less seamless than cloud solutions.

How to choose your Cloud CCTV system

When considering a Cloud CCTV system, it’s important to think about technical and operational factors carefully.

What’s the difference between ‘Cloud managed’ and ‘true Cloud’ systems?

With Cloud managed systems, your data is still stored on-site on a Gateway Server and on your camera; however, specific event data is sent to and stored in the Cloud. In contrast, ‘true’ Cloud systems send all images recorded directly to the Cloud, where they are classified, managed and securely stored.

What are the internet bandwidth requirements for Cloud video surveillance?

Bandwidth capacity is a vital component of cloud CCTV implementation. Each camera requirement will depend on the image resolution and the nature of the scene being viewed.

How is data privacy and compliance managed with Cloud CCTV?

Cloud CCTV systems must meet all relevant data protection regulations. Most cloud providers maintain multi-layered security strategies while following strict data privacy regulations.

What technical support and managed services are offered with VSaaS?

Reliable technical support is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of your cloud CCTV system. Look for providers that offer 24/7 support through multiple channels, such as phone, email, or live chat. The support team should be responsive, knowledgeable, and capable of addressing both urgent and routine issues. Additionally, ensure that the provider offers clear documentation, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides to help resolve common problems quickly and minimize downtime.

Beyond basic support, some providers such as SEiNG offer managed services that significantly enhance the value and reliability of your Cloud CCTV solution. While many cloud providers operate on a self-service model where you are responsible for system management, those with managed services go further. They proactively monitor your cameras for issues, provide expert onboarding, and minimise downtime by addressing potential problems before they escalate.

Data centre location, reliability, and redundancy

The location of your data centre is crucial, as it dictates which local regulations and data protection laws must be followed. It is advisable to use a data centre geographically close to you for this reason; SEiNG, for example, stores data at a UK data centre.

The reliability of the data centre directly impacts the uptime of your CCTV system. Be sure your Service Level Agreement (SLA) clearly outlines the provider’s uptime guarantees, which should be at least 99.9% (SEiNG offers a 99.9999% uptime guarantee).

Redundancy is key to ensuring continuous service and data integrity. Your data centre should have backup power sources, multiple internet connections from different providers, and store your footage across multiple servers or locations to protect against data loss.

Additionally, a reliable data centre will have a robust disaster recovery plan, which may include regular or geographically distributed backups to ensure data is preserved in case of failure.

System updates and maintenance

How updates and ongoing maintenance will be managed must be considered when choosing your Cloud-based video surveillance system. Automatic updates will ensure your access to the most feature-rich software versions, with security patches and improvements granted without constant oversight.

Hostage-as-a-Service and Vendor Lock-In

Be aware of “hostage-as-a-service” or vendor lock-in situations when choosing your Cloud-based CCTV system. This occurs when a provider makes it difficult or costly for you to migrate your data or services to another provider. Some cloud CCTV services might use proprietary formats or restrict access to your data, leaving you reliant on their infrastructure. It’s important to ensure that your chosen provider offers flexibility, such as allowing you to easily export data in a standardised format and migrate to another service if needed. Always review the terms of service and ensure that you’re not committing to long-term contracts that could trap you into a single vendor, limiting your ability to switch providers as your business needs evolve.

Advanced features: real-time analytics and AI

One of the key benefits of cloud-based video surveillance is the ability to leverage real-time analytics and machine learning technologies, providing deeper insights into your business operations. Some providers offer industry-specific tools that cater to your unique needs. For instance, in retail, systems like SEiNG can deliver valuable data on queue lengths and customer demographics, helping you optimise store performance and improve customer experience.

Bespoke development options for custom integrations

To ensure your CCTV system meets the unique needs of your business, check if your provider can offer a tailored solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing infrastructure. This will enable a more efficient security setup, allowing you to automate processes, enhance functionality, and improve overall performance.

User set-up processes

To ensure a smooth and efficient deployment, your video surveillance platform should provide an intuitive setup process, allowing you to quickly configure cameras, manage access permissions, and integrate with existing infrastructure. Your provider should offer clear, easy-to-follow guides to minimise setup time and reduce the need for technical support– but have expert help available should you need it.

Useability

It is important to assess how the system is to be used and how it meets your operational requirements. Your system should be easy to navigate and manage across all devices, with an intuitive interface so you can effortlessly view live footage, search recorded video, and adjust settings without extensive technical knowledge. You should understand all features like smart search capabilities and how these will directly deliver benefits and efficiencies.

What is SEiNG?

SEiNG is a true cloud-based video surveillance system that allows you to securely store, access, and manage your footage remotely. It offers real-time monitoring, automated updates, and seamless integration with your existing infrastructure for enhanced security and convenience. With advanced machine learning capabilities, it provides intelligent insights tailored to your business needs, such as object recognition and anomaly detection, enhancing security and operational efficiency.

With its VSaaS model priced from £5 per month, SEiNG is a cost-effective option for businesses looking to access cutting-edge CCTV technology. Being hardware agnostic, it works with new or existing cameras, offering a further avenue to save your business money.

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Conclusion

Cloud CCTV technology represents one of the most important advances in security surveillance. This rapidly developing technology is revolutionising how organisations handle their video surveillance requirements.

Increasing operational efficiencies, reducing infrastructure costs and enhanced data protection are driving the move to Cloud CCTV. It enables limitless scalability for multi-site applications.

Companies of all sizes can find great value in cloud-based surveillance systems because of their adaptable storage options, and the minimal need for operational support. Look for systems with an advanced replacement warranty.

Reviewing operational needs and trialling the best products will ensure companies select the most appropriate Cloud CCTV provider.