Introduction
Closed-Circuit Television, initialed as CCTV can be said to be the application of video cameras in the broadcasting occurrences within a certain place. Worth noting herein is the fact that CCTV is different from the broadcast television in that; the signal is was openly transmitted through the use of point to point multipoint or wireless link. They trace their conception back to the 1940s in Germany where the military were using them to monitor their rocket launch (Matchett, 2003). The United States as well are on record to have used CCTV during the development and testing of the atomic weapons. Over the years, the CCTV has evolved from military use to a non-governmental organization. To date, it is very common to see the CCTVs placed almost everywhere be it on the streets, in public transport vehicles, in stadiums, and many other places (Damjanovski, 2005). Apart from that, they have been applied in homes with the intention of preventing intruders and that is a sure sign that they have become common indeed. This paper will be endeavoring at elucidating and expounding on the roles of CCTV in security.
How they function
Afore expounding on the roles of CCTV in security, it would be imperative to expound on how they work or function. At the moment, what is certain is that they are there in our midst although most of them have been placed strategically and can go unnoticed. Hence, a CCTV structure is a security system that can comprise of one or more cameras that have been placed within scene to broadcast happenings taking place at that locality each and every second (Tyska & Fennelly, 2000). The captured recordings are then viewed either in real time or from a recording depending on the location and purpose they have been placed to do. Worth noting is the fact that they can come in various forms, such as digital form, analog, wireless as well as those that are online video cameras. The CCTV adapts the use of a camera lens that captures and records transmissions that take place within the gap and depth that they have been projected to. They thereafter deliver the captured signals either through wire or wireless technology to the screen, monitor, or a recording system (Cieszynski, & Ebooks Corporation, 2006). In the olden times, such signals were only able to be viewed on a monitor strategically positioned, but with the advancement of technology, it is now possible for one to view the signals either from a computer as well as a tablet wherever one is.
Importantly also is the fact that they, the CCTVs have as well transformed from standard larger cameras to smaller ones, but with greater capabilities with more options to select. Equally, some CCTVs have been built with the capabilities to function in darkness thanks to the night vision technologies (Tyska & Fennelly, 2000). They have as well produced in such a way that they can function in any weather. Another feature that has been developed in the CCTV security is the capture of sound. It is a feature that was not included initially but thanks to technological advancements; it has been incorporated providing more advantages to the security personnel watching (Harwood, 2007). To the clients and owners of CCTVs, the objectives of having them are granted regardless of the time of the day as well as the weather that they may put through.
CCTV roles in security
It is without doubt that the CCTVs got industrialized with one thing in mind; security. That can be perceived when the Germans used them in the launching of their rockets as well as the Americans during their testing of the Atomic bomb. That purpose remains to date, but it has been made more imperative in this age where security has been paramount not only in business premises, but also in commercial premises. The first role of the CCTV therefore, is that of prevention of crime. The fact that everyone at this age is sure that there are cameras around regardless of whether or not is a sure way of deterring people from attempting any crime. For those that were worried about criminal activities they need to worry no more thanks to the CCTVs. That is because no one will risk of committing a knowing very well that he/she is being watched in the process (Harwood, 2007). As a result, the CCTVs will have provided the security that was initially done by human beings who could be at risk themselves.
The other way that the CCTV comes in handy is in the prevention of internal theft also known as employee theft. Regardless of whom steels, the CCTV’s are better position to prevent such happenings. That explains why they have been situated within many business premises especially in big and sensitive organizations such as banks and self-service stores. No employee will attempt of any wrong doing while knowing that someone somewhere is watching his/her every undertaking within the organization (Kruegle, 2007). Not only will the CCTV prevented organizational theft, but rather, it will have motivated the employees to work more effectively. These can be attributed to the fact that the employees, especially those in the banking industry, will have confidence that they are under protection from a ‘third eye’ watching every occurrence as they work. In the process, the clients as well will be assured of their security as their bank or do any other business within (Harwood, 2007). In the same light, the CCTV helps to ensure that the discipline of employees within business organization, and the conduct of the people within the public places are up to the required ones. That explains why they have been put in public places such as car parks and pedestrian passes (Matchett, 2003).
They have equally been situated in areas that are termed as high risk areas be it in the streets or the factories. About factories, for example, they can be placed where there is high risk of fire breaking out, and it can be taken care of before causing many damages. In the process, it will have provided security not only to the business owner, but also to the entire workforce that depend on the jobs to feed their families. It as well can be said that the CCTVs are the best life savers above all the others. These are because they have the ability not only to alert people when danger is eminent, but also prevent the dangers from every happening (Tyska & Fennelly, 2000). For instance, CCTVs have the capability to ensure that each and every individual works to his/her utmost ability. By so doing, mistakes that may cause hazards like fire can be obviated saving many resources that would have been wasted. The other way that the CCTV offers security is by protecting the employees. That can be either from physical harm by the clients who may turn violent, or by protecting them from false accusations that may originate from colleges who are envious. They can as well protect them from clients who may be out to tarnish the company’s reputation (Kruegle, 2007). They do so by the simple fact that the cameras just, like the forensic evidence, do not lie on whatever evidence that they may give. As a result, the CCTVs will have enabled the law enforcement officers to solve crimes that would be complicated to solve if it not for the assistance from the CCTVs. They will have evolved to function, not only for long durations, but also in all sorts of weather as well as during the night (Harwood, 2007).They have as well assist with the voice capturing as it has been mentioned above.
Along with the above elucidated facts about the roles of CCTVs on security, it can be supplemented that they have adapted for surveillance purposes as a result of the importance that people have placed on themselves (Harwood, 2007). Since they do not intend anything contrary to happen to them, they have opted for the installations of CCTVs so as to ensure that they are secure at all times. When it comes to spying and surveillance for security, the CCTVs are built with the infrared capabilities that have the abilities to capture images even in darkness and any changes from those that have been set as normal (Kruegle, 2007).
Apart from the aspects of spying, the CCTVs can be used as alarm triggers with the main objective being security. These happen when the cameras have been connected to an alarm system that triggers a noise in case any suspicious activities get captures within the camera range. For instance, the CCTV can be set in such a way that the alarm will trigger in case a person walks past a certain set limit towards the secured premise. As a result, any potential threat will be eliminated since the element of surprise will have been eliminated (Tyska & Fennelly, 2000). Documentation is another way that the CCTV can offer security. In a situation where the monitors are not attended to at the time an occurrence takes place, they have the capability of storing and documenting every happening. In the long run, the documentation can be given to the police who will study them and make arrests as per the documentation. They have been accepted not only by the police, but also by in the courts where they are used as evidence (Harwood, 2007). Hence, they can be said to have the ability to help in the trial and examinations of criminals who will be immovable and caught in the act.
It can be deduced from the exceeding elucidation that the Closed Circuit Television, denoted as CCTV, have evolved over time to be part and parcel of the applications of people. From the ages where they were only used by the military to the present day where they have been commercialized to our homes. As a result, it can without doubt is held that the CCTVs help in security in various ways (Kruegle, 2007). For instance, through the deterrence of crimes, through the identification of criminals, through the monitoring of employees as well as indemnity especially in high risk jobs all of which has been elucidated clearly herein.
Reference
Cieszynski, J., & Ebooks Corporation. (2006). Closed Circuit Television. Burlington: Elsevier.
Damjanovski, V. (2005). CCTV: Networking and digital technology. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann.
Harwood, E. M. (2007). Digital CCTV: A Security Professional's Guide. Burlington: Elsevier.
Kruegle, H. (2007). CCTV surveillance: Analog and digital video practices and technology. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.
Matchett, A. R. (2003). CCTV for security professionals. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Tyska, L. A., & Fennelly, L. J. (2000). Physical security: 150 things you should know. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.
