The Importance of Data Storage and Retrieval in IP Security Camera Surveillance

You know the scene: law enforcement officers huddled around a video monitor. Someone shouts, “Stop!” while pointing out an image on the screen. Then come the questions—can you zoom in, rotate the image, or go back two minutes? After a flurry of keyboard taps, the officers pull that all-important still frame that identifies the guilty party and allows them to make the big arrest. This scene or some variation on it plays out every day, all over the country—though usually involving gathering evidence for things far more mundane than terrorists or serial killers like in the movies. Nonetheless, law enforcement and security personnel rely on the features of IP camera security systems to do their job every day. These professionals zoom, rotate, and refine digital images, trusting that this crucial evidence will remain securely stored and available for quick retrieval as they conduct investigations.

Security Camera Recording

Security cameras have come a long way since the first closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems were introduced in the late 20th century. Anyone over 40 may be shocked that these first systems recorded no video. Cameras transmitted surveillance footage to TV screens, where operators kept watch over the live feed. It wasn’t until video cassette recorders (VCRs) became available in the 1970s that security systems gained the ability to record.

The emergence of digital technology changed everything, and security systems were no exception. With camera footage digitized, systems could store recordings in a compressed format, reducing hard drive space and making systems far more accessible. As more technology, such as internet protocols (IP) and video-editing software, came online, the IP camera security system further expanded these recording capabilities.

Continuous Recording

IP cameras, like their predecessors, can record continuously. These systems can keep ongoing records of what happens at a facility, outdoor venue, or public space. IP systems offer a comprehensive record of activity 24 hours a day, every day. Traffic cameras, for example, can now use continuous recording to feed data into a traffic control system, providing all kinds of data for law enforcement and municipal governments.

Event-Based Recording

Scrubbing through hours of video looking for a specific event or person is time-consuming and drains human operators’ attention spans. Today’s cameras can be configured to record video only when specific criteria are met, such as motion or sound, thus reducing the size of stored recordings. Surveillance systems could be set to record when motion is detected after operating hours or could begin recording every day at a particular time.

Storage Options

From the moment security systems could store what they recorded, space became a concern. Video home system (VHS) tapes could store about four hours of video, depending on the tape thickness. Many users reused their tapes, reducing storage limitations but sacrificing retention capacity. Digital surveillance footage is easier to store but can quickly consume available space on hard drives or local servers.

On-Camera Storage

Some IP cameras come with built-in storage capabilities. Images are recorded on a secure digital (SD) card. The contents of the card can either be uploaded or removed and replaced with a clean one. SD cards have storage limits, so they may not be suitable for areas that require continuous monitoring.

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

A NAS is a storage device that resides on a network to provide a centralized storage hub for multiple recording devices. Surveillance systems use the NAS to store data from various cameras for easier access. NAS implementations offer more capacity than on-camera storage and can be configured with RAID (redundant array of independent disks) capabilities for data redundancy.

Cloud Storage

The most common use of cloud technology is data storage. Because it can quickly scale, the cloud ensures adequate storage is always available. Centralizing data storage in the cloud also means remote access is possible from anywhere. However, implementation of this storage method requires reliable internet connectivity and bandwidth that can handle digitized video. Cloud storage costs can vary significantly, with some providers requiring long-term contracts.

Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)

DVRs and network video recorders (NVRs) deliver local storage options with more capacity and added features. NVRs were designed specifically to work with IP cameras, while DVRs offer the flexibility of receiving analog signals. Digital storage solutions incorporate features such as setting resolution and compression size as well as search functions based on time, event, or alarm. 

Retrieval Options

While recording and storing images is a central function of video surveillance systems, retrieval is also the most scrutinized feature. Users want to know what capabilities are available to access their stored data. Older methods only allowed play and rewind. Fast forward wasn’t even an option. Today’s systems provide an array of features, making retrieval more efficient.

Remote Access

Security personnel no longer need to sit in a room full of monitors, hoping they’ll look at the right monitor at the right time to catch intruders.  With remote access, they can access recordings remotely through web interfaces or mobile applications. When an alert triggers, personnel can check the system from anywhere at any time rather than waiting for someone to physically travel to the location. 

Search and Playback

Users can fast-forward through hours of recordings and search based on date and time. When an alert triggers, security can look for motion markers or event logs to pinpoint the appropriate video segment. Less time spent hunting down the pertinent footage means quicker response times.

Video Management Software (VMS)

When images are stored separately for each camera, tracking movement from one camera to the next can be challenging. VMS solutions consolidate the information into a single source, making tracking events as they move throughout a facility easier. Integrated video allows security personnel to identify deviations faster for more effcicient resolution.

IP Camera Security Trends

Technology trends such as artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing are changing how IP camera security systems deploy. AI can analyze images, recognize patterns, and deliver analyses faster than existing systems. Moving data processing closer to the point of acquisition can improve response times. Instead of sending security footage to the cloud for analysis, new technology allows for local processing, making faster data-based decisions possible.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is another technology that can expand the scope of a surveillance system. By providing power and data over a single Ethernet cable, PoE-enabled IP cameras can be deployed in places where traditional power is unavailable. Security systems can expand to cover blind spots or hard-to-reach locations, delivering better coverage and increased security.

No matter how high-powered the IP camera is, if the images are securely stored and easily accessible, they are as useful as the CCTV technology that dominated the security industry during the 20th century. Incorporating the latest technology to deploy PoE-enabled IP cameras across an enterprise increases monitoring capabilities. With better coverage, security footage becomes a crucial component of a physical security system. 

Versa Technology is one of the largest suppliers of Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. We offer PoE-enabled IP cameras for state-of-the-art surveillance systems. Visit our website for more information on our products.