Advantages And disadvantages of CCTV– CCTV, also known as Closed Circuit Television, is a TV system mainly used to transmit information or signal using a limited set of monitors. CCTV is different from TV sets and cameras in that this set of technological instruments is used for security check purposes in hospitals, schools, roads, offices, and businesses. Security is a basic necessity to every human existence and can’t always be guaranteed.
And in the absence of strict security and protection, many things are bound to go wrong. The world is advancing greatly in the use of technology, and security devices like CCTV is a sign that human security matters a lot. Here, this article will look at what CCTV is used for, how it works, and its pros and cons.
What Are The Uses of a CCTV?
Have you ever seen a CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) before? Maybe, In your place of business, In a shopping mall, or a school. Have you ever wondered what they are used for? They are used to perform some specific functions and to aid security. Below are some of the major uses of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television).
1. Crime Solving
Crime solving is one of the basic functions a CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) performs. It helps to reduce the crime rate and to monitor the activities of the place at which it is mounted. Security of lives and properties can’t be overemphasized as human existence is bound to it.
Technology has improved the way we interact with our environment. Hence, a CCTV is used to keep track of events and activities that take place all through the day resulting in a reduction in crime rates.
2. Monitoring of Road Traffic
Yes, CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is also used to monitor road traffic. These cameras I mainly placed on traffic lights and poles along the road to detect and monitor roadside activities. It is important to know that CCTV is a powerful tool used to checkmate the movement of cars on the road to enhance safety and security at all costs.
3. Pedestrian Traffic
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is also used to monitor pedestrian movement. Pedestrians are simply people who use the road on foot rather than vehicles. Pedestrians using the road also need to be severely monitored to avoid crimes and to promote safety on the road.
4. Monitoring of Employees In Business
You can also install CCTV in business premises, environs, and offices to keep watch over the employees whether or not they are doing their duties faithfully. It is essential in businesses as it helps reduce the rate of fraudulent activities liable to occur in a business place.
5. Sporting Events
The advancement of technology has also made an avenue for CCTV to be mounted in sports arenas like stadiums and courts (for example, basketball courts). The reason is to enhance fair play between players and monitor the activities of both players and sports officials alike to avoid cases of cheating and injustice in the game.
6. Monitoring of Homes
Some homeowners mount CCTV in their homes to track what happens in their absence. It also plays a role in enhancing security and safety. In the case of a burglary attack, homeowners can identify the criminals involved in the act. Hence, reducing the rate of risks and damages.
7. Criminal use
The major reason for using CCTV in any workplace, home, church, school, or political institution is to enhance safety and promote security. You can also use CCTV to keep track of criminals and their activities. Hence, reducing crime rates drastically.
8. Monitoring of Schools
Some schools now implement the use of CCTV in their systems. It is no longer news that you can find CCTV in colleges of education, universities, polytechnics, and even secondary schools. It is very important to understand that safety is paramount in learning areas and to reduce learning distractions and ailments prone to learning in any school environment.
The institution must have strict management and authority to achieve that. Without strict watch over the school’s affairs, many things may go wrong, resulting in disaster.
9. Monitoring of Shopping Malls
You can also find CCTV in shopping malls, eateries, and restaurants to enhance safety and promote security. Shopping malls use the device to keep watch over every activity that takes place on their premises.
It helps shopping malls, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and entries monitor their customers and employees to ensure that they perform their assigned duties.
Advantages And Disadvantages of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)
CCTV can be considered a good security tool that promotes security and helps individuals and businesses keep track of various activities. The tool can also be known to be associated with some disturbing disadvantages. Here we will be looking at a list of the advantages and disadvantages a CCTV is associated with.
Advantages of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)
Below are some of the listed advantages and benefits businesses and individuals stand to enjoy using CCTV.
1. Gather Evidence
Security cameras, in other words, CCTV, are mainly used in gathering tangible evidence that can’t be over-emphasized. These technological tools store information and provide evidence of events and activities.
And for this very reason, most businesses, homeowners, and individuals mount these security cameras in hiding places that can’t easily be seen to collect useful information.
2. Monitor Scenes And Events
Like the first benefit listed above, CCTV is also used to keep track of scenes, happenings, activities, and events for future purposes. Things happen daily, and it is very important to keep a record of them to avoid misunderstanding and denial.
In that case, you can use security cameras to keep a good record of things that occurred in the past for use in the future.
3. Promotes peace of mind
Another advantage of CCTV is that they help to promote peace of mind, especially for business owners and homeowners. Business owners and homeowners can have peace of mind over their properties and businesses while away, as the security cameras help them keep track of what happened in their absence.
4. Remote Monitoring
CCTV allows business owners and homeowners to monitor their homes and businesses remotely and seamlessly. Security technology helps business owners break limitations when it comes to watching over their businesses.
Disadvantages of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)
Below are some disadvantages homeowners and business owners have to experience using CCTV.
1. It Can’t Stop theft
Even though security cameras, also known as CCTV, are mainly used to ensure security, they still can’t stop the act of theft. And this is one of the most disturbing disadvantages of using CCTV, whether in homes, offices, shopping malls, businesses, homes, and hospitals.
CCTV only provides owners with information and records about criminal activities, but it doesn’t stop the act from occurring, which seems to be the biggest defect of security cameras.
2. It Can Be Vulnerable
CCTV can indeed be vulnerable when it comes to natural elements like rain, water, and dust. All these elements are capable of making it ineffective. For instance, water can destroy the lens of a security camera. Hence, it results in less productivity in its function of aiding security.
3. It Doesn’t Always Guarantee Security And Protection
Security cameras don’t always promote security because they can be vulnerable and, in other words, unable to perform security functions properly. Security cameras keep records of happenings, activities, and events.
Still, they can’t do anything to stop cases of theft, which means they don’t guarantee security.
4. It Can Be Hacked
Security cameras are prone to hacking and so are most technological devices. A CCTV can be hewed by hackers, thereby obstructing its workflow in keeping records of events and activities.
Conclusion
CCTV, also known as security cameras, are security tools used to aid security in businesses, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and homes. There are many advantages and disadvantages of using CCTV, and this article provides some of them.
