09/08/2020
CCTV Audit
The fear that is shared by all of the people involved in electronic security is that the system wonβt work when you really need it and it is true. To overcome this fact CCTV system needed to be audited on a regular interval to determine the functionality, performance and effectiveness of the system installed in the vicinity. A CCTV audit is basically also to look at the system to identify the areas that need improvement or changes. This also helps to ensure the system will perform well when it is needed and probably save the day. A CCTV audit is always a difficult task to see all aspects of the system
Camera Locations
Cameras should be located in the correct places in order to achieve maximum coverage from the installed system. This is an initial step to be carried out in CCTV audit. Also need to check other installed devices locations e.g. Ho***rs, sensors or any other alarm devices attached. When checking the location of Camera need to check if it is installed in appropriate location or as needed by the organization for the coverage, this will help you to determine if the location needs to be moved or they remain in same location.
Cables and Connections.
Cable and connectors of the system should be assessed when doing a CCTV audit. For instance during assessment audit, you should check cables and connectors e.g. BNC pins or RJ45 in case of IP system cables for wear and tear because this affects the system functionality, also important to check loose wires connectivity, proper insulation and all connection points are intact. Wiring and connection area of the CCTV system is always complicated and sensitive this leads to numerous problems in video quality and stability.
Recording and Play Back Status.
This is an important aspect in CCTV audit you need to thoroughly check the following points,
- System recording backup period i.e. Number of days the system stores the data.
- Check if the recorded data is available for all and critical Cameras.
- HDD life cycle, when was the last hard disk replaced and its stability.
- At what Resolution and Frame rate the video is captured.
Outdated and malfunctioning equipment.
Audit of all installed equipments has to be done to check if they are functioning in the proper way, its always difficult to know if equipments are malfunctioning without doing the proper audit. Audit will help to know if the equipments that are not functioning need to be replaced or have to be upgraded. Some devices tend to brake or have ware and tare due to weather conditions which include camera stands, alarm ho***rs, PTZ camera motor belts and so many.
Equipment that do not serve intended purpose.
CCTV system is has many equipments as its part but do not meet right purpose, these equipments installed initially become outdated and no longer perform the purpose. Audit gives an opportunity to identify these non functional or irrelevant equipment to be replaced with new technological equipments or discarded them. These devices or equipment may be blur camera lenses, flood lights, non rotating PTZβs etc. This will help to make CCTV system in good operational system.
Control equipment
People during audit think that the regular used control equipments are not necessary to be audited. The devices like screens, monitors, joysticks, keyboards and so many other, in CCTV system these devices are equally important and have to be maintained in good working condition. During audit one must check the screens and monitorβs brightness, contrast and other operations are working efficiently, power plug, keyboard buttons, joystick moments, are in good condition and are not broken.
Documentation of audit
Every audit need to follow the documentation process and complete report has to be made for further references. Documentation should cover all functional and non functional devices and equipments, and recommendations should be made on the bases of performance. Every equipment should be given marking or points on the scale of 0 to 10. Every aspect has to be considered in the orderly mannered documentation.
Recommendation and suggestions
Audits are used for recommendations and replacements to improve the installed CCTV system. Every recommendation made in audit must be supported with facts based on results. Best performing equipments are not considered in recommendations but the non performing devices should always be recommended or suggested. Audit should be transparent and good and must point out the weakness or loops the CCTV system, audit is performed to improve the system and get best out of it. No system is 100% perfect but recommendation and suggestions can improve the system to its best performance.
Implementation
Recommendation and suggestions made in audit should be properly implemented as the aim of audit is to maintain the CCTV system in good condition. CCTV audit determines the security level of the organization as security is always the important aspect of any organisation. Hence it is important that the audit is done by qualified person and who has an in and out knowledge of the CCTV system installed at any organization.
