Posts Tagged ‘camera’

IP Camera Video Surveillance for Hospitals

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Copyright (c) 2009 Wes Fernley

In hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities, it cannot be stressed enough how important video surveillance is. It not only increases the security within the facility, but also controls costs. The patients are protected, the employees are protected, and the administration can keep an eye on the employees in order to increase productivity. To make this possible, Internet Protocol cameras, or IP cameras are being utilized in many healthcare facilities due to the fact that remote video monitoring is possible.

Benefits of Hospital Video Surveillance

Security and safety is increased – Crimes, break-ins, and injuries to patients and employees are prevented or documented if they occur within the hospital. This also allows the hospital personnel to monitor patients and watch out for unauthorized visitors.

Productivity – If employees know they are being watched, their productivity will increase. Communication can improve, the administration knows what is going on, and more will get done.

Prevent dishonesty – There are times when a visitor or a patient may state that they were injured on the hospital’s property. When there is visual evidence through IP cameras, these claims can be proved either way. This can save the hospital from being sued, which can save them money in their insurance premiums.

Take care of employee disputes – If two employees are in the middle of a dispute, the visual proof can put an end to it. It is amazing what surveillance cameras can do in this instance.

Monitor in real-time – There is no having to go back and watch a recording of footage. You can do that if you wish, but you can also watch what is going on in real-time.

Storage – IP-based surveillance systems can take advantage of digital storage. The footage is recorded on network servers, on hard drives, or on NVRs. This makes the footage easily accessible to those who have authorization to view it. Searching is also made easier through digital recordings.

Remote monitoring – Remote monitoring is an important aspect of IP cameras for the fact that what is going on within the hospital can be viewed from a remote location. If an administrator needs to view a particular area of the hospital while they are vacationing in Mexico, they can. If they want to check in while they are at home, they can. All they need is access to the IP camera’s network via the Internet.

An Assessment of the Risks

As with anything, there are risks associated with monitoring a hospital through surveillance systems. Those risks include:

Relying too much on the video surveillance system because physical security is also very important.

Making sure patient privacy is respected. The IP cameras should monitor those areas that are open to the public and nothing more.

Tampering is a risk with any security system. The video signal can be lost if there is any tampering with the system. There should be alternatives put in place in order to make up for a signal that is interrupted. This includes vandal resistant IP cameras or installing the cameras in areas out of reach by intruders.

Setting Up Your System

Make sure there is a view of all entrances and exits so everyone going in and out can be seen.

Monitor the hallways to keep watch over visitors and the overall flow of activity.

Make sure fire escapes and elevators are covered.

Make sure the parking lots are within view, as well as loading areas.

Restricted areas need to be monitored.

Are Your Security Camera DVRs Secure?

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After installing everything in your home from the hot water tank to a surveillance system with security camera DVRs, it’s time to take charge of their maintenance if you don’t want you and your partner squabbling over unnecessary expenses caused by laziness and negligence. Budget and Surveillance
The budget is king, and any deviation can set off tempers and sour relationships. If you knew that your shower head was going bust yet you didn’t do anything until it fell off, then you’re one of those people who need to know how to mend anything from leaky faucets to faulty security camera DVRs. Not that you’re an expert, but you can prevent your gadgets from retiring early with proper care and maintenance.
Admittedly, a surveillance system does not come cheap, including those security camera DVRs, but you justify the expense to your partner that it is better to be safe than sorry. With a home surveillance system now working round the clock, you’ll have to learn how to maintain the system or where to get technical assistance when the system needs periodic checkup.
These tips will help you secure your security system:
* Measure the area eyed to contain your surveillance system (indoors and outdoors).
* Get a stand-alone DVR system if the floor area covered is small and a PC-based system if you need more coverage.
* Your purchase should come with a warranty.
* Get the number of the supplier in case you’ll need some technical adjustments.
* Check out the product manual.
* Have a trial run of the system when installed by a technician.
* Ask about spare parts.
* Ask the supplier if their other outlets will honor your warranty.
The right choice for your specific surveillance validates your purchase in terms of efficiency and cost-savings efforts. Now it’s time to know how to care for your security camera DVRs. Here’s how you can get maximum satisfaction from your surveillance system:
* Check the overall system before installation.
* Periodically check the security camera DVRs for some loose connections.
* Outdoor cameras should be protected from the elements with hoods and customized mounts.
* The moment images are blurry, call the technician to check the cameras, the video capture card, or the cables.
* The cameras should be dusted regularly to prevent dust build up.
* Use the proper cleaning cloth or blower brushes for your cameras.
* Check the camera lenses for irregularities.
* Keep the cameras and the system out of reach of curious children.
* Use the right cleaning cloth or blower brushes for your cameras.
* Train the people handling the surveillance system to spot irregularities.
The proper care and maintenance of your household gadgets contributes to stretching the budget. Like your car, gadgets need immediate attention before cracks widen or knobs fall off. In the case of your surveillance, you can’t afford the system to go bonkers when you need it most.
Allocate a maintenance budget for all your gadgets, and in case something threatens to go bust, money is available for minor repairs before it becomes too expensive to patch up. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that everything including your security camera DVRs are covered. You’ll need all the recorded files you can get stored safely and for long periods of time.

Using an Ip Network Camera to Monitor Your Home

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Network Camera Video Surveillance on Campus

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Copyright (c) 2008 Wes FernleyA college or university is more than just a place to learn, it is a home for hundreds and more often thousands of people, a community. Because of the variances of purpose and design of campus facilities, video surveillance can be a tricky business on campus. Network cameras can help make video surveillance stronger and life on campus safer. The Benefits of Video SurveillanceNo matter where one is, security is always important. A college or university campus especially is a place where security is a top priority. A campus is a large community with people passing in and out on a regular basis, numerous buildings and facilities, residential and non-residential spaces. Properly developed video surveillance can help security keep tabs on key areas and increase safety for students and teachers alike at the school. With so many potential threats on a modern campus, having a well-established and maintained video surveillance system can help campus police with keeping track of the goings on of such a large space. The presence of cameras can act as a deterrent for would-be criminals. This keeps students safer, as well as campus faculty and staff. A video surveillance system can also be used by campus leadership in ensuring that campus policies such as curfews and the like are being properly followed. This eases up pressures on campus security forces, allowing them to spend their time more productively in defending against greater threats such as theft, vandalism and violent acts. Network Camera Video SurveillanceFor an area the size of an average campus, network cameras can be a great advantage to more traditional CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) camera set-ups. Network cameras are generally small and compact. They are easy to install, and have a host of benefits unrivalled by CCTV cameras. Network cameras get their name from the fact that they are designed to work over a computer network, such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. They come with built-in web servers, so that data can be sent directly to any network required. This provides simplified remote monitoring capabilities: video feeds can be access from anyone with authorization at any time and from anywhere. Even PDAs and cell phones with Internet access can be hooked into the network to view feeds, so security officers can view live security video even while out on patrol or checking on a potential threat. With such a large campus, video analytics software can also be very useful. While it is always best to have human eyes on hand to catch any unusual disturbance, video analytics can also assist in this endeavor. Computers can be programmed to signal alarms at any sign of unusual activity within the digitized video provided by the network camera, immediately alerting security personnel even if none are currently watching the feed at the given moment an event occurs. Installing a Network Camera Video Surveillance System on CampusWith so many buildings and so many open spaces, it is near impossible for a campus to be completely covered by surveillance cameras, and even if not it might be prohibitively difficult in terms of time and manpower. Thus, before installing a video surveillance system on campus you should examine what areas are the most vulnerable to security risks and determine exactly where cameras are needed. Interior spaces, such as cafeterias, hallways, gyms, etc. should be looked at. Also certain exterior spaces such as parking lots are also prime spots for security cameras. More private areas such as dorms and locker rooms should be avoided, so as to protect the privacy of campus residents.

Hidden Camera and Surveillance Laws Outside of the US

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Every country has its own privacy and surveillance laws. You will want to check your local laws regarding hidden cameras and other covert surveillance before installing your new equipment. This article will give a brief overview of the applicable laws in a few of the home countries of our most frequent international visitors. CanadaIn Canada, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) generally require a person’s consent before video or audio recording them in a commercial or business situation. The consent can either be expressly given (either orally or in writing) or it can be implied (such as clearly posting notice of the surveillance or advising callers of the recording of calls). There are specific procedures outlined in PIPEDA which must be followed for a legal recording. If you plan to record calls or conversations with customers or clients, you should consult PIPEDA for its particulars. PIPEDA also applies to workplace/employee surveillance situations. Pursuant to PIPEDA, an employer must usually advise its employees of any personal information it is collecting from them and why it is collecting the information. This can include video surveillance, phone monitoring, keystroke recording and email review. An employer should only collect information necessary to the employer’s stated purpose in collecting it. An individual (as opposed to a business) can record conversations with the consent of one party to a conversation. If you are taking part in the conversation yourself, the consent can come from you. With regard to video surveillance, Canada has passed a video voyeurism law, making it a crime to surreptitiously observe or record a person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the circumstances and is or is expected to be nude or partially nude or involved in sexual activity. You can’t legally place cameras in bathrooms or locker rooms. You can’t legally set up a camera to record in your roommate’s bedroom. Keep in mind that, in addition to federal laws in Canada, your home province may also have privacy, surveillance and/or voyeurism laws which should be reviewed as well. United KingdomPublic surveillance cameras (also known as closed circuit TV – or CCTV) have been in heavy use in Britain for over thirty years. It has been suggested that there are more CCTV cameras in use in the U. K. than anywhere else in the world. The Data Protection Act of 1998 (DPA) covers use of CCTV surveillance cameras in the U. K. It does not, however, apply to individuals who might use cameras for personal or household uses – just to businesses. Individuals using such cameras must still make sure that they are not breaking British voyeurism laws by peeping into private spaces – these are similar to voyeurism laws in Canada and the U. S. The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued DPA guidelines for businesses using CCTV monitoring. There must be visible signs indicating that the cameras are in use on the premises and the cameras must be placed in spots which allow the best images but avoid recording people outside of the business premises. The images recorded must be securely stored and not provided to anyone other than those responsible for the monitoring in the business and to law enforcement. Check with the ICO for any other requirements your business may have regarding video surveillance. If cameras are used to monitor workers, they must not be installed anywhere deemed private, such as toilets or private offices. The ICO suggests that workers should generally be told they are being surveilled but says that covert or hidden monitoring may be acceptable if it is an exceptional situation and the employer intends to involve law enforcement in the investigation. In the U. K. , you should also consider whether or not your planned surveillance complies with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), which covers the monitoring of electronic communication. RIPA allows individuals to secretly record conversations for their own use. It only becomes illegal if the recording is made available to someone else. If the person doing the recording plans to use the recorded conversation in court or plans to disclose the recording in any way, he will have to get consent from the person he is recording. There are a few exceptions to the basic RIPA requirements for businesses. A business may record a conversation without anyone’s consent to provide evidence of a business transaction, to prove regulatory compliance, to prevent or detect a crime, for national security or secure effective operation of a phone network. For any other purpose, the company must get the consent of the person being recorded. Similar to the ICO’s guidelines on the use of CCTV to monitor employees by video, RIPA guidelines suggest the electronic monitoring – email, telephone calls and such – of employees should also be overt and as non-intrusive as necessary to meet the goal of the surveillance. For example, companies that routinely record phone calls in the regular course of business should provide their employees with a way to make necessary personal calls that are not recorded. The Home Office and the ICO have issued helpful guidelines and checklists for businesses to use when considering video or other surveillance. Other European Union NationsOver the last ten years or so, the European Union (EU) has issued directives to its members regarding human rights and data protection. The result has been legislation in each country which complies with the basic directives. The British laws described above are good examples. Without investigating the laws of each European country here, it is safe to say that they all have similar laws to the laws passed in Britain regarding monitoring and surveillance. As always however, you should review the laws applicable in your own country and province and/or consult with a lawyer. The newest surveillance technology can be a wonderful help in a difficult personal situation. It can also help you keep your business running smoothly and profitably. But it can also be misused and cause you some pretty serious legal headaches if you don’t understand the applicable laws before using it. So, if you’ve decided to purchase some fantastic new monitoring equipment, take a quick look at your surveillance and privacy laws before you press the “record” button – do your monitoring the right way and you just might save yourself a lot of trouble in the end!