CCTV Systems

Camera Types for Commercial Premises

Most commercial installations use a combination of camera types to cover different areas effectively:

• Dome cameras — Discreet, vandal-resistant, and ideal for indoor use. Commonly mounted on ceilings in corridors, reception areas, and retail spaces. The tinted dome conceals the direction the camera is pointing.
• Bullet cameras — Best for outdoor and long-range monitoring. Used on building exteriors, car parks, and perimeter fences. Their visible shape acts as a deterrent.
• PTZ cameras (pan-tilt-zoom) — Remotely controlled to follow movement and zoom in on detail. Suitable for large open areas like warehouses, loading bays, and car parks.
• Turret cameras — Open-face design with flexible positioning and excellent night vision. Less prone to IR reflection than domes, making them a good all-round choice for both indoor and outdoor use.

Resolution and Image Quality

The right resolution depends on what you need to capture. Higher resolution means clearer images but larger file sizes and higher storage requirements.

• 2MP (1080p) — Minimum acceptable standard. Suitable for general surveillance — monitoring movement in corridors and open areas.
• 4MP — The recommended standard for most commercial applications. Clear enough for facial identification at reasonable distances.
• 8MP (4K) — Best for critical areas: building entrances, cash handling zones, and anywhere you need fine detail like number plate recognition.

Resolution alone does not guarantee useful footage. Camera positioning, lighting conditions, and lens selection matter just as much. We design every system to capture what you actually need — not just to fill a screen with cameras.

Recording and Storage

Your footage needs to be stored securely and retained for long enough to be useful. Most businesses retain recordings for 30 days, though some industries and insurance policies require longer.

• NVR (Network Video Recorder) — On-site recording to a dedicated device. Reliable, no subscription costs, and footage stays on your premises. Should be installed in a secure location to prevent tampering.
• Cloud storage — Footage uploaded to a remote server. Accessible from anywhere, protected against on-site theft or damage, but requires a stable internet connection and usually involves a monthly fee.
• Hybrid — Local recording with cloud backup for critical cameras. The most resilient option for businesses that need both reliability and remote access.

Remote Viewing and Monitoring

All our CCTV systems support remote viewing — live and recorded footage accessible from your phone, tablet, or computer. This is configured during installation and secured with encrypted connections and user authentication.

For businesses that need active monitoring, we can connect your system to a 24/7 monitoring centre. Trained operators watch for suspicious activity and can escalate to the police or keyholders when an incident is confirmed. This is particularly valuable for premises that are unoccupied outside business hours.

GDPR and CCTV

Operating CCTV in the UK comes with data protection obligations. If your system captures images of identifiable people, you must comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. This includes displaying clear signage that CCTV is in operation, having a documented purpose for the surveillance, ensuring footage is stored securely, and responding to subject access requests within the statutory timeframe.

We advise on signage placement and provide guidance on your data protection obligations as part of every installation.

Frequently Asked Questions