Due to the increase in insecurity in many parts of the world, it has become necessary to place surveillance on our homes, offices, factories, and so on. No one wants intruders to cart away their belongings or valuables or even harm their kids and pets. As a result, people are resorting to CCTV cameras to monitor activities within and around their buildings.

Today, different types of video cameras are available in the market. You may become confused when deciding which one to purchase. There are two types of CCTV cameras: covert and overt.

Overt implies that people can see where the camera is positioned while covert implies that the camera cannot be seen or identified. You can check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed-circuit_television to read more about overt cameras. In today’s post, we will discuss covert CCTV cameras, their applications, and their benefits.

Why Use Covert CCTV Cameras?

A common reason for using covert CCTV cameras is for parents to monitor their children’s safety. They can easily check on babysitters and babies in nurseries. They also want to make sure that their kids arrived home from school safely. Regardless of why you want to install a covert CCTV camera, it makes surveillance easy without attracting a lot of attention.

The advancement in technology enables people to access the camera’s live feed from their smartphones. This type of camera is an IP network security device. You only need to have a device that is connected to the internet so you can view the live feed from any location.

Additionally, the device helps you to monitor the safety of your pets especially when you are spending a longer time at work or on a trip. Most advanced covert cameras are microphone enabled. You can activate the microphone from your smartphone and speak to the pet via the camera.

Applications of Covert CCTV Cameras

Covert CCTV cameras are small and can fit anywhere without anyone noticing that something is there and they come in various shapes, resolutions, and viewing angles.  You can place them anywhere, including in everyday objects like bookcases, plants, and clocks. They are also used in the following areas:

Law Enforcement

A hidden camera serves as a third eye when it comes to law enforcement, especially with events that require 24/7 underground monitoring. It allows law enforcement officers to see what is happening around the state, region, or county in real-time.

You can easily mount the device on any structure with a power supply. Some covert cameras have cellular and wireless network communication features. Law enforcement agents use these devices for narcotics investigation, monitoring of outdoor events, and SWAT operations, among others.

Construction Sites

Equipment theft can slow down or halt construction work; hence the need for surveillance of a construction site. Mounting a camera on your site helps you to recover your work tools and machines even if they were stolen from the site. The footage will be useful to the authorities during investigations.

Additionally, the device helps you know how your workers are faring on the site. You can easily see what the foreman is doing, how he/she is coordinating affairs in your absence. Even if an employee steals from your site, you can identify the person and punish them for the crime.

In addition to installing a surveillance device, you should get insurance coverage for your equipment. This way, you will save money and worry less about missing materials, tools, and equipment. You can visit this website to find out how equipment insurance works.

Parking Lots

Placing covert cameras strategically in parking lots or garages ensures safety for customers and guests. These devices will monitor the area 24/7 and capture footage of crimes committed on the property. If vehicles are burgled, stolen, or damaged, the camera will save the footage. Also, the footage is very useful in cases of car accidents, where the offender needs to be identified.

Oil and Gas Stations

Oil and gas is a lucrative sector and must be protected. Mounting a secret camera in the midstream station helps in remote surveillance. This gives the assurance that your assets are safe even without visiting the sites or hiring expensive security guards to keep watch over the area.

Marinas and Ports

Covert cameras are also useful in marinas and ports. Tons of activities are carried out on those sites that it becomes difficult to spot criminals. However, with a surveillance camera, you can monitor incoming ships, the loading and unloading process, as well as storage. All you need to do is to place the camera strategically on the docking points, and you are good to go.

Pros of Covert CCTV Cameras

The main advantage of hidden cameras is that you can use them to track criminal activities. If you install an overt camera, everyone can see it. Criminals can also damage it and then carry out their nefarious acts in order to hide evidence.

This does not mean that overt cameras are no good. Sometimes, they discourage criminals. But it is better to pair an overt camera with a covert one to cover all scenarios.

There are cases of criminals who destroy the surveillance system in a building in order to delete all video evidence. This can happen, whether the surveillance system is overt or covert. To prevent this, do the following:

First, ensure that both types of cameras are connected to separate networks. This way, you can access footage from the covert device if the overt device is destroyed.

Secondly, connect the surveillance system to your smartphone.

Final Thoughts

Although covert cameras are highly beneficial, they should not invade privacy. They should be used for the right purposes, which include detecting and prosecuting child abuse, stalking, harassment, vandalism, theft, and so on. If installing covert cameras in your workplace ensure you inform your employees without telling them where they are positioned.