Many people use the term “CCTV” when discussing topics such as security surveillance and staff monitoring, but don’t know that it is the abbreviation for “close-circuit- television”. To help people understand why they probably need close-circuit television in their businesses and homes, let’s briefly look at its development history, and then discuss various reasons why people need it nowadays.
Invention and history
CCTV has an interesting history:
- Walter Bruch invented the CCTV concept of sending images captured by CCTV cameras directly to a remote monitor in real-time.
- In 1942 it was used in Germany for real-time surveillance.
- In the 1940s, V-2 rockets were also monitored with CCTV.
- It became available commercially in 1949, and
- the United States governmental contractor, Vericon, started to develop its potential for security control.
- Since the 1960s more and more institutions and businesses all over the globe have started to utilise the technology to enhance their security and monitoring systems.
- In 1969, the United States patent of CCTV for home security systems was awarded to Marie Van Brittan Brown and the concept was on its way to become an integral part of most security CCTV camera systems.
In the beginning, however, security system developers only used the technology to enable security officers to monitor surveillance systems in real-time. The recording of footage developed later.
Why CCTV is needed
Since CCTV has been developed to also store footage for later reviewing, it has become an important part of security and monitoring systems. Nowadays, it is used for diverse reasons, such as the following:
To prevent crime
CCTV provides business owners with the technology to monitor movement in or near a property. If the CCTV installation is well planned, large areas of a property can be under surveillance, and people and vehicles entering and leaving the property can be monitored. In many instances, property owners place the CCTV cameras in such a way that they are clearly visible. This in itself is already a deterrent against illegal entrance.
To provide evidence when a crime has taken place
Video evidence of a crime is much better than vague descriptions by eyewitnesses. Recorded footage of a crime assists law enforcement in finding and arresting the culprits.
To help resolve workplace conflicts
When dealing with a workplace conflict CCTV footage can help to resolve the problem because the circumstances leading up to the conflict are all recorded and available from the footage.
It is cost-effective
One or two well-placed cameras can do the same surveillance and monitoring that 4 or more security guards can do. Over time, the salaries saved on fewer staff are much more than the initial cost of the CCTV installation. Since the introduction of solar security cameras, businesses and households are also saving on their electricity bill as an outdoor solar camera doesn’t need any electricity to function.
