Despite increased functionality and higher resolution, CCTV is still not achieving the one thing its proponents have always claimed that it can – improve the security of the premises where it is used.

I know it is a big statement and there are always exceptions to the rule, but crime still occurs on premises where CCTV is installed. It happens regularly and from where I sit, things are not going to change anytime soon.

This is why.

The 2016 ASIAL exhibition and conference has recently ended and similar to previous years, the exhibition was swamped with CCTV products and vendors. We review two of the better CCTV products we looked at.

Two weeks ago we revealed some key CCTV findings on over 4000 cameras we have evaluated over the last four years.

These cameras are connected to 89 separate CCTV systems of various sizes and configurations that we have been engaged to review.

In this article, we examine these 89 CCTV systems and see if they measure up against the evaluation criteria we use when we undertake CCTV reviews. The results are revealing …

Last week Matryx reached a milestone.

Following a CCTV review of three major shopping centres in Sydney, the total number of cameras we have now evaluated passed the 4000 mark – 4023 to be exact!

In this article we will share what we have learnt from the data we have collected in the last four years – how does your building stack up?

Technology is having an enormous impact on our lives. It is changing how we work, how we socialise and how we communicate, and the commercial building space is no different.

As security professionals, never before have we had this level of intelligence and information available to us and it’s not slowing down.

In some instances, technology that was leading edge a few short years ago is already ‘old school’. While we have seen ongoing improvements in individual product suites, the biggest advancements have come in our ability to integrate disparate control systems.

Yet what impact is integration having on our building operations?

Twelve months ago, I wrote an article on CCTV called “Don’t Buy The Hype”. The article talked about some of the often and outrageous claims by CCTV vendors and the emergence of 4K cameras.

In this article, we assess 3 different camera manufacturers, show you some real-world results and highlight the differences in camera performance.

We also outline the 3 most important questions you need to ask before even considering 4K CCTV, particularly for external applications.

The findings will interest you.

Watching CCTV may sound like good fun for some, but soon enough it becomes quite mundane.

The challenge with actively monitored CCTV systems is ensuring that operators remain focused at all times.

Research indicates that after 12 minutes of continuous video monitoring an operator will often miss up to 45% of screen activity.

In May this year, we provided an example of how CCTV in conjunction with facial recognition technology was being used to heighten awareness of domestic violence.

To demonstrate the versatility that CCTV can bring to business, here is another example of billboard advertising by luxury sports car manufacturer, Porsche.

I have been advising on the use of CCTV for over 20 years and have seen the very best and very worst of CCTV over this time.

My view is that until you have a clear understanding of what CCTV can achieve in your environment, you should delay any buying decisions.

I am not necessarily an advocate for CCTV but as a 20 year veteran of the security industry, I understand how and where CCTV can add value. CCTV is just one available component of a good risk management strategy and exactly where CCTV fits, if at all, depends solely on the application.

CCTV is being promoted as the answer to all things security. Through recent industry articles and promotional material I have learnt that the installation of CCTV cameras will do everything from stopping terrorist attacks to eliminating shoplifting and preventing burglaries. This is simply not the case and let me explain why.