Surveillance: CCTV, Motion Sensors, and Logging
Plan a surveillance architecture with CCTV camera placement, motion detection, tamper alerts, and sufficient retention periods for forensic investigations.
Why Surveillance Is Essential
Surveillance systems serve three security functions: deterrence (visible cameras discourage unauthorized behavior), detection (monitoring alerts security staff to ongoing incidents in real time), and forensic evidence (recordings document what happened during and after security incidents for investigation and legal proceedings). A well-designed surveillance system supports all three functions and integrates with access control logs to provide a complete picture of physical security events.
CCTV Camera Types and Placement
CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) cameras vary by form factor and capability. Fixed cameras cover a specific area continuously. PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras can be remotely controlled to follow subjects. Dome cameras conceal the viewing direction. Bullet cameras are visible deterrents with long-range lenses. Camera placement should cover all entry and exit points, high-value asset areas, and hallways. Overlapping fields of view eliminate blind spots that attackers can exploit.
All lessons in this course
- Physical Access Controls: Badges, Locks, and Mantraps
- Surveillance: CCTV, Motion Sensors, and Logging
- Data Center Environmental Controls
- Hardware Security: TPM, Secure Boot, and Drive Encryption