Frequently Asked Questions
Get professional advice, new product information, and expert insights for security solutions.
What is off-site CCTV monitoring and how does it work?
Off-site monitoring connects your CCTV system to a remote control room that monitors cameras 24/7. When suspicious activity is detected (motion, line crossing, facial alert), operators intervene in real time, issue audio warnings, and dispatch response teams.
Is off-site monitoring better than traditional guarding?
In many cases yes. Off-site monitoring:
- Never sleeps
- Covers multiple angles simultaneously
- Uses AI detection
- Costs less than multiple guards
High-risk sites may require both.
How much does off-site CCTV monitoring cost in South Africa?
- Number of cameras
- AI analytics required
- Response integration
- Site risk level
What makes one monitoring company better than another?
Key differentiators:
- AI accuracy (false alarms?)
- In-house control room vs outsourced
- Response time
- Integration with armed response
- Reporting & analytics dashboards
How accurate is facial recognition in South Africa?
Modern AI facial recognition can exceed 95% accuracy if:
- Camera quality is high
- Lighting is controlled
- Database is well maintained
Cheap systems have high false positives.
Is facial recognition legal in South Africa?
Yes, but must comply with POPIA:
- Data must be lawfully collected
- Purpose must be defined
- Access must be controlled
This is where professional installers differ from cheap providers.
What is the difference between biometric access control and facial recognition?
- Biometrics = fingerprint, facial, iris
- Facial recognition = AI identifies people via CCTV (even without access terminals) Access control verifies entry. Facial analytics identifies people in video streams.
What type of CCTV cameras are best for commercial properties?
Depends on use case:
- Bullet cameras for perimeter
- Dome cameras for indoor
- PTZ for large areas
- ANPR for license plate recognition
High-end installations use NDAA-compliant IP systems.
How long should CCTV footage be stored?
Typically 30–90 days depending on:
- Industry compliance
- Risk level
- Storage capacity
What is the difference between cheap CCTV installers and professional integrators?
Professional integrators provide:
- Network design
- Redundancy
- Surge protection
- UPS backup
- AI configuration
- Ongoing support
Cheap installers just mount cameras.
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