What Is Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance?

Hybrid cloud video surveillance is rapidly gaining traction in India, driven by the need for scalable storage and stringent compliance mandates regulated by governing bodies. According to recent reports, the adoption of cloud-based video surveillance solutions in India has experienced a year-on-year growth of over 25%, primarily due to evolving data storage regulations and enhanced security requirements.

These solutions offer a balanced approach, combining the flexibility of cloud technology with the control of on-premise systems, making them ideal for businesses navigating the complexities of compliance.

Understanding Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance

While hybrid cloud video security seeks to encapsulate the benefits of on-premise and cloud-based surveillance, it offers to mitigate their shortcomings. Here is a quick comparison table:

	On-Prem Video Surveillance	Cloud Video Surveillance	Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance
Storage	Local storage on physical servers and devices	Data stored entirely in the cloud	Dual storage, local storage with backup in the cloud
Maintenance	Requires regular hardware maintenance and upgrades	Remote maintenance by cloud service providers	On-site maintenance for hardware, cloud-managed remotely
Scalability	Limited by hardware capacity	Highly scalable, depending on cloud resources	Flexible, with local control and scalable cloud storage
Accessibility	Restricted to on-site or private network access	Accessible remotely from any location	Allows both on-site and remote access
Cost Efficiency	High upfront costs for equipment and storage	Pay-as-you-go for storage and bandwidth	Balanced costs: Reduced local storage needs, cloud flexibility
Security & Compliance	Full control over data security, but prone to physical risks	Dependent on the cloud provider’s security measures	Offers both local control and cloud-based security features
Redundancy & Backup	Limited backup options; hard disk crashes could mean data loss	Automatic cloud backups ensure data redundancy	Combines local redundancy with cloud backup

Exploring How Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance Systems Work

• Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance systems use CCTV or IP cameras to record footage.
• The recorded video is first stored locally on on-site devices for easy access.
• It is then transmitted to the cloud for remote access and enhanced security.

This dual storage approach offers redundancy of local storage to ensure access during internet outages or breaches and real-time recovery of video footage from the cloud when needed.

5 Critical Benefits of Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance

As businesses seek to enhance security and streamline operational efficiency, Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance emerges as a compelling solution that combines the strengths of both on-premise and cloud-based systems. Here are the key advantages:

1. Enhanced Security and Redundancy

One of the primary benefits of hybrid cloud video surveillance is increased security. Businesses can lower the chance of losing important video footage by storing data locally and on the cloud. Store footage for 7, 30, 60 days or more and protect against shrinkage, slip-and-fall claims, or NVR/DVR damage.

Nearly 75% of organisations report that integrating on-premise infrastructure proved critical to improving their security posture.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

Traditional surveillance systems often face scalability challenges, particularly for enterprises. In contrast, leveraging hybrid cloud video storage allows seamless expansion as cloud storage easily accommodates increasing video footage, eliminating the need for additional on-site equipment.

3. Remote Access and Monitoring

Because hybrid cloud video surveillance systems integrate with the cloud, users can access video footage remotely. Authorised personnel can use a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to see the recorded video, access live broadcasts, and get footage from multiple locations simultaneously.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Security vendors that host hybrid cloud solutions provide easy cost breakdowns, enabling easy forecasting of recurring expenses. This approach replaces unpredictable installation, maintenance, and storage costs, such as operating system updates and server upkeep.

Enterprises can reduce upfront hardware and ongoing maintenance expenses by utilising a hybrid model. Storing data in the cloud can eliminate the need for large local storage systems, offering long-term savings while allowing efficient video management​ with IFSEC Global.

5. Compliance and Data Protection

Data security is vital for companies working in heavily regulated sectors like BFSI. Hybrid cloud video surveillance systems provide safe data storage and encryption, guaranteeing that organisations adhere to rules.

Note: The RBI mandates that BFSI retain CCTV footage for at least 180 days. In cases of fraud or disputes, the footage must be preserved until investigations are concluded. However, limited storage capacity and frequent crashes can make it challenging for on-premise storage devices to meet these regulatory requirements. While cloud storage can mitigate hardware failure risks through automated backups and redundancy, it is not a complete solution due to concerns about latency, data security, and compliance with regulations.

Hybrid cloud video surveillance combines on-prem and cloud storage to address these issues. Utilising scalable cloud storage ensures secure, long-term retention of critical footage without additional physical infrastructure, effectively safeguarding against data loss in an NVR/DVR crash.

Considerations Before Implementing Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance

Did you know? Retail businesses lose over $50 billion annually to theft, with internal and external shrinkage accounting for the majority. Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance (HCVS) can reduce these losses by up to 30%, combining real-time monitoring and enhanced data security to prevent theft and fraud.

Businesses must first assess their unique security requirements to maximise the benefits of Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance. They should ascertain the number of sites, cameras, and storage needed to guarantee all-encompassing coverage.

• Ensure compliance and data security. Companies in regulated sectors must ensure their monitoring systems conform to data security requirements. Look for companies such as IGZY that provide secure storage, encryption, and adherence to industry rules.

• Prioritize scalability and flexibility: Opt for a flexible and scalable Hybrid Cloud video security system. As your firm expands, your monitoring needs will change. Ensure the selected system can scale and adjust to your evolving needs.

• Opt for advanced features: Look for advanced features beyond regular video recording and storage, such as AI-powered study, motion detection, and immediate notifications. These features will allow you to improve the quality of your video surveillance system and implement security precautions.

Importance of Choosing the Right Implementation Partner

Hybrid cloud video surveillance architecture from IGZY is a nexus of industry-ready hardware, AI/ML, IoT, and edge computing, backed by over a decade of expertise from leading security professionals, with a cloud that complies with External SAST Report, External AppSec, and External VAPT-Infra, ensuring adherence to industry-leading regulatory standards.

This robust framework guarantees that your surveillance posture is secure, reliable, and equipped to meet the demands of today’s dynamic security landscape.

Choosing the right implementation partner should also mean someone who offers:

• AI-Powered Analytics and IoT Alerts: A key advantage is using AI-powered analysis in Hybrid Cloud Video Surveillance solutions. Machine learning techniques can identify unusual activity, IoT-powered sensors can send alerts, and aid preventive measures against security breaches.

• Customisable Solutions: The partner should deliver customised surveillance solutions that fulfil the business’s unique safety and security requirements. This primarily involves offering a solution that facilitates quick expansion to accommodate new cameras, features, and monitoring of multiple locations as requirements evolve.

• Centralised Platform for Oversight: Surveillance equipment downtime can lead to security breaches. A centralised platform provides organisations complete visibility across all branches, allowing real-time monitoring. This ensures timely notifications during camera downtime, NVR crashes, or security breaches, helping maintain robust oversight and response capabilities.

• 24/7 Command Center Support: The command centre should proactively verify an alert (<5 minutes), confirm it, and take further action if it is found valid. The query resolution or turnaround time must also be efficient, ensuring issues are addressed promptly to minimise risk.

Whether you are an industry veteran or a first mover embracing innovation in surveillance, IGZY, as an end-to-end E-surveillance partner, can assist with procurement and strategy development to installation, and 24/7 command centre support.

With over a decade of experience, pan-India delivery capability, and proven expertise in fortifying the security posture of diverse industry giants, IGZY commits to empowering organisations to navigate the complexities of modern security needs. Connect with us today and explore how we can further solidify your security strategy.