How To Increase/Expand CCTV Storage For Enhanced Security?

Upon analysing enterprises’ security architectures, we found CCTV systems are a fundamental and effective surveillance tool. From premise monitoring to employee safety, these camera systems provide an essential layer of protection. Nonetheless, the need for scalable and reliable storage must be balanced, especially as businesses expand. 

How long will 1TB last on CCTV?

Effective storage duration of 1TB on a CCTV system can vary based on several factors, including resolution, frame rate, compression technology, and recording duration.

1. Resolution and File Size: A higher resolution produces a larger file size. For instance, where a 1080p CCTV may consume ~130 GB of space, a 4K CCTV will consume roughly 400 GB daily.

2. Frame Rate: The frame rate at which the camera records impacts storage longevity. Higher frame rates capture more frames per second, resulting in larger file sizes. For instance, recording at 30 fps will use more storage than recording at 15 fps.

3. Compression Technologies: Advanced compression methods, such as H.264 or H.265, can significantly reduce file sizes without compromising quality. For example, H.265 can compress video files to nearly half the size of H.264, effectively extending storage duration.

4. Recording Duration: The time that footage is retained before being overwritten also plays a crucial role. Continuous recording will deplete storage faster than motion-activated recording, which saves footage only when movement is detected.

Given these factors, enterprises must strategically manage and expand CCTV storage to maintain optimal security.

Current Methods of CCTV Data Storage

As businesses strive to manage the growing volume of CCTV footage, selecting the optimal storage solution is essential. Below are some popular methods for storing CCTV data:

1. Onsite Storage: Onsite storage involves utilising hard disks or flash drives, for example, (name some)  for on-prem storage. The recorded footage from CCTV cameras is usually processed at the DVR or NVR and transmitted to the hard drive for storage. Although this method offers complete control over data security, it could be more scalable.

Pros	Cons
Immediate access to footage: Since the footage is stored on-site, enterprises can access it in real-time, guaranteeing swift response to breaches. Complete control over data security: On-site storage allows companies to have complete control over data security by applying security measures like encryption and access limitations.	High Upfront Costs: Hardware, infrastructure, and maintenance costs for onsite storage are usually substantial at first. Energy Consumption: Onsite storage systems use a lot of energy to run big servers and cool them down. This raises running expenses and affects environmental sustainability.

Given the upside of onsite storage, enterprises generally face issues when their storage capacity runs out. As safety concerns and compliance scrutiny rise, increasing CCTV storage becomes crucial. Thus, cloud-based storage is an increasingly popular alternative to regular onsite storage.

2. Cloud Storage: Enterprises seamlessly expand CCTV storage capacity without worrying about technical limitations or physical theft.

Pros	Cons
Scalability: Cloud storage provides virtually limitless storage space, allowing businesses to expand CCTV storage as needed without replacing existing infrastructure. Remote Access: Cloud solutions allow authorised users to access footage from any location, offering flexibility in surveillance management.	Internet Dependency: Reliable, fast internet is essential for cloud storage. Network problems or outages may impact access to real-time footage and uploads, resulting in monitoring gaps. Data privacy and security issues: Storing sensitive footage on the cloud may compromise it, exposing it to possible cybersecurity risks like data breaches and illegal access.

Besides this, hybrid storage encapsulates the advantages of on-site storage and cloud. While older or less critical data can be backed up to the cloud, businesses can save important or recent footage locally for quick access. This approach helps enterprises expand CCTV storage while balancing cost, security, and access speed.

Importance of CCTV Storage Expansion

CCTV storage expansion appears imperative in the case of banking institutions in India, concerning adherence to 180-day CCTV footage retention compliance, as outlined in the circular on revised security regulation released in 2021 by the RBI.

This mandate stipulates that banks preserve recordings until the police investigation concludes and the dispute is resolved in cases of unauthorised access to lockers, theft or security breaches.

In retail, for instance, CCTV recordings should be retained for at least 30 days. Storing and analysing this footage can provide retailers with significant insights into customer behaviour and store traffic patterns, which may improve the in-store customer experience.

Besides video retention compliance for banks and retail, CCTV data is critical to distribution centres, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses. These operations handle thousands of orders daily, necessitating seamless supply chain visibility. However, 5 out of 10 distribution centres in India report high rates of customer dissatisfaction due to loss, damage, and returns of goods.

Enhancing supply chain visibility through CCTV and a unified dashboard for end-to-end parcel tracking and CCTV data storage addresses these issues by facilitating better review and resolution of customer complaints.

How To Increase/Expand Existing CCTV Storage Capacity?

Businesses must implement solutions that guarantee increasing CCTV storage while maintaining quality and security as they deal with the difficulty of keeping ever-increasing amounts of CCTV footage. Here are some practical ways to increase storage capacity:

1. Expand On-Prem Storage with Network-Attached Storage

CCTV storage expansion entails adding more storage gear onsite to store more data. This method gives businesses complete control over their data, guaranteeing that it stays on corporate property and is easily accessible without depending on outside networks.

Adding hard drives, network-attached storage (NAS), or a dedicated storage server increases on-premise storage. These enhancements offer low-latency real-time access, making them the perfect option for settings with urgent security requirements. However, increasing on-premise storage might require spending more on infrastructure and hardware maintenance.

2. Expand Cloud Storage

Cloud-based CCTV storage expansion provides a scalable and adaptable alternative to physical storage expansion. Cloud storage gives businesses access to almost infinite space, making it simple to scale as their data requirements increase. Because footage can be safely saved and retrieved from any location, it is particularly beneficial for companies with multiple sites. Cloud providers spare businesses of these duties by providing storage security and upkeep. However, because the supplier manages the data off-site, cloud storage necessitates data security measures and is highly dependent on a reliable internet connection.

Note: The IGZY cloud is certified by the External SAST Report, External AppSec, and External VAPT—Infra standards.

Note that not all footage needs to be stored indefinitely. Businesses may review their data storage rules to set how long footage should be stored. By automatically deleting older, unnecessary content, enterprises can expand CCTV storage at a reasonable cost and free up precious space.

3. Augment Video Management Capabilities

By partnering with IGZY, organisations can quickly expand their CCTV storage capacity while maintaining robust data security and access control. As businesses evolve, their surveillance needs grow, and exploring innovative strategies for increasing CCTV storage is essential. Secure options for archiving critical footage include upgrading hardware, utilising advanced video compression, and leveraging cloud-based solutions.

With a decade of experience empowering leaders in the BFSI, retail, and warehousing sectors, IGZY is well-equipped to enhance your security posture and ensure uninterrupted footage recording. Connect with us today to learn more!