Surveillance devices have come a long way since their inception, with them once being sequestered for military use and now being present in most American homes. Modern uses can range from keeping an eye on nannies and babysitters while they’re watching your children to watching the outside of your property to catch potential intruders while you’re away.
But, as ubiquitous as they are, what are their purposes and how can they benefit you?
WHAT IS A SURVEILLANCE DEVICE?
Surveillance devices serve the purpose of keeping you safe while providing you with peace of mind. Video surveillance, the most commonly used form of surveillance devices, allows you to capture footage of numerous things from everyday life.
These devices will often collect footage and data when activated—whether they’re left on 24/7 or are turned on and off—to provide video evidence of the goings-on within a space. This footage is shared to a hub that is accessible by the owner, either to a wired device such as a nearby computer or to a digital cloud service.
WHAT ARE SURVEILLANCE DEVICES COMMONLY USED FOR?
- Keeping an Eye on Your Home and Business
For homeowners, this can include checking who’s at the door before you open it, watching your baby while you’re in another room thanks to a baby monitor, or keeping a watchful eye over entrance points of your home.
For business owners, surveillance devices can be used for similar purposes, particularly for the protection of property and merchandise. Furthermore, they can capture footage while customers are in your store for insurance purposes, either to protect against theft or to have evidence in the event of a lawsuit.
- Surveilling for Security
Surveillance cameras can be installed both inside and outside a home or business to improve overall protection. The mere sight of a security camera can be enough to deter a criminal from attempting a theft or break-in.
- Using CCTV for Business Responsibility
CCTV systems can be easily installed by a business to provide them with a closed-circuit network that can monitor employee conduct, watch out for theft, and review accidents when they happen.
- Employing Cameras for Monitoring Babies
Baby monitor cameras are another form of surveillance, where you can keep an eye on your child while they nap, sleep at night, or play as you work in the other room.
- Catching a Cheating Spouse
Some people in serious relationships and marriages might suspect a spouse of engaging in nefarious behaviors. A devastating situation to be in, it’s sometimes best to have hard evidence, as a partner might deny any accusations at every step to avoid taking responsibility. Video surveillance can be used under such circumstances to capture relationship infidelity. For people in marriages, capturing such evidence can be used when filing for divorce.