Covert
Cameras, in essence, are a means of offering surveillance of an
undetected or more discreet nature. Suitable for use in a broad range
of internal applications, these miniature Cameras have been designed
and developed to provide monitoring tools that are disguised in the
form of everyday commercial and domestic objects.
This ensures that they are able to blend inconspicuously into any
background and consequently do not catch people's attention. As a
result, there are a number of state-of-the-art products which have been
introduced into the market to meet security demands, varying from
office clocks to Passive InfraRed (PIR) sensors, containing a minute
camera within. These products are available in monochrome or colour
versions and with optional audio.
Covert cameras tend to be used where there is a requirement to
achieve particular objectives. These tend to fall into the following
categories:
A) Covert surveillance - where there is a requirement
to monitor activities in a particular location, completely undetected,
e.g. in areas of high security like jewellers and banks. They are also
useful for back-up surveillance in installations where the primary CCTV
equipment is of a more traditional nature, i.e. standard cameras. In
this case Covert
Cameras can operate as a back-up where primary cameras are disabled by an intruder.
B) Discreet/Unobtrusive surveillance - often there is a
need for a surveillance system that is less conspicuous, not
necessarily as an attempt to hide the fact that monitoring is taking
place, but more from marketing or style considerations.
When introducing a covert system, it is important to recognise
that access to recorded material must be kept to a minimum to ensure
the privacy of individuals who may appear. A responsible policy should
be introduced to ensure that footage from covert cameras is used for
the purposes it was intended.
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