How do cloud video surveillance systems work?
CCTV without cloud works mostly using a digital video recorder (DVR), and network video recorder (NVR).
When combined with cloud services, there are a lot of benefits to be gained, let’s take a look at each one of them in detail.
DVRs and NVRs
In a not so distant past, CCTV systems relied exclusively on local data storage, independent of being a DVR or a NVR. Though they are different in nature, users commonly reported the same problems.
To setup and maintain these systems is quite complicated, and costly. This is even more of a problem in business that operates on more than one location, since every recorder and storage media will need maintenance.
There is also the security factor. Data stored locally is far less reliable in terms of capacity and being prone to errors that can result in the data being lost or overwritten at times when you most need it.
Being physically stored also results in the possibility of theft and accidents like fire, floods, etc…
Another disadvantage is that the access to the data will most times need physical presence.
How does cloud based video surveillance work?
Having CCTV footage stored in the cloud means that the data is constantly being sent and stored in a remote server location.
These servers are pretty much like servers used by famous services like Netflix and Spotify. The fact that you can access them remotely at any time means that you can perform security checks on your environment even when you’re far from the premises.
Another important factor to take into account is that the data stored on the cloud is far more secure, and service providers will usually back them up frequently.
Using a cloud video surveillance platform like Video loft comes with a lot of advantages.
What are the advantages of cloud CCTV?
1. Provides backup options
Locally stored footage is the main cause of losing footage due to reading errors or physical damage to the storage media. On the cloud, the data is kept and backed up regularly, with the use of redundant server capabilities. Some states in the US are required by law to keep backup of their footage, in the case of an investigation.
For an extra layer of precaution, some owners even go as far as keeping the data both in local storage and in a remote cloud server.
However, one very common doubt that business managers face is the question of whether the data sent to the cloud is secure from intruders.
The fact that cloud storage eliminates the need for port forwarding makes your system more secure against hackers and cyber criminals. Security is the main priority of Acoba, and we ensure all the encryption and security protocols are met to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of the recorded footage.
2. Access anywhere, anytime
Having an internet connection is the only requirement to check recorded footage from anywhere in the world, in opposition to having to be present in the storage environment to retrieve the data.
3. Centralized viewing platform
All of your secured locations footage will be available at any given moment only to you through the internet. This means that you don’t need to travel from one location to another to monitor and make sure your business is secure and running as intended.
4. Makes your CCTV system proactive
Acoba allows you to set up triggers and alerts for when movement is detected, meaning that the system becomes proactive, instead of simply recording and letting you watch the footage later, which in some occasions might be too late for any intervention.
Motion detection can be configured by zones, even on older systems. You can configure it using certain rules, like being alerted when a certain object shows up in the footage. This enhances and extends the possibilities of monitoring what is really important to you.
5. Easily share video surveillance footage
Retrieving data from standard HDDs can be time consuming, while having the data on the cloud allows for almost instant download and sharing of the images, which can be crucial in the case of providing evidences.
6. Get new features for legacy CCTV systems
Older CCTV systems also benefit from the upgrades, giving you the ability to extract and analyze data that was previously unavailable.
7. Notifications when your security system fails
In the event of failures, some cloud based CCTV storage system providers can monitor your equipment in real time, and will alert you in case something is off. This is a huge advantage over traditional systems, since when they stopped it could take some time until it was noticed.
8. Scalable and flexible
Cloud services are scalable according to your need, which means that you don’t need to buy additional hard drives that won’t be used to their full capacity, and plans offered will cater exactly to your needs. Eliminating the guessing how much storage you will need with a recorder. CCTV cloud based systems also work with most analog IP and other cameras meaning that you can use the equipment you already have.