CCTV Monitoring for Beginners: Terms You Need to Know

Understanding CCTV monitoring can be challenging due to the technical jargon involved. To help you understand, we’ve compiled a glossary of essential terms related to CCTV monitoring.

Whether you’re a business owner, security professional, or just curious, these definitions will help you better understand CCTV monitoring systems.

An introduction to CCTV monitoring

If you are new to CCTV monitoring systems, here’s a quick overview of what it is and how these systems work:

• Cameras are fitted with sensors and installed in the usual way
• Other intruder-detection devices, such as infra-red, are built into the system
• Your system is linked to a CCTV monitoring station (where your footage is viewed)
• If a camera or sensor is triggered, an alert is sent to your monitoring station
• If the operative spots an intruder, they deal with the issue immediately
• This could be a Police response or a designated keyholder visiting site

After reading this article, if you are keen to further your understanding, read these articles:

• What is CCTV monitoring?
• How much does CCTV monitoring cost?

Let’s get started with our guide to CCTV monitoring for beginners.

Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)

Otherwise known as a monitoring centre, an ARC is where alarm signals are received and monitored.

When a CCTV monitoring system is triggered, an alarm is raised, your team is alerted, the footage is viewed and the threat is dealt with.

Audio Intervention

CCTV monitoring systems can be designed to incorporate audio speakers.

When a potential intrusion is detected, your monitoring professional can warn the intruder they are being watched and the keyholders / authorities have been called.

Alarms

When a sensor or beam is triggered and a potential threat is detected, the CCTV monitoring station / ARC receives an alarm signal. Your footage is then reviewed, and if the threat is considered real, the appropriate action is taken.

Beams

Infra-red beams are used for detection.

If an intruder crosses the beam’s path, the system will trigger and alert.

Your monitoring centre will then view the footage in real time and take the appropriate action.

Blue light response

Blue light response refers to the immediate dispatch of emergency services to a site following a confirmed security breach.

This includes the police and designated keyholders. More on that later in this article.

Furthermore, a rapid response is crucial for preventing crime and ensuring the safety of assets and individuals.

Detection

For a remote CCTV system to operate, it must include detection equipment. Detection can include:

• Sensors
• Beams
• Thermal imaging CCTV and video analytics
• Passive Infra-Red detector
• Dual technology detector

False Alarms

Due to these sites’ rural location, wildlife can occasionally trigger the system and cause a ‘false alarm’.

However, with the ongoing advancements in technology, particularly AI-based video analytics, false alarms are fast becoming less of an issue.

Additionally, infra-red illuminators are best in low-light situations (after dusk) to improve image quality, improving detection and reducing false alarms.

Intrusion detection system (IDS)

An IDS monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators to potential security breaches.

In CCTV systems, IDS can detect unauthorised access and trigger appropriate security responses.

As a result, this makes these solutions the perfect partner for a well-designed CCTV monitoring system.

Keyholder

This is a designated individual responsible for attending site if an alarm is raised and your security professional at the ARC spots an intruder.

Typically, companies use third party professional keyholders who attend site on behalf of the company to tackle and deal with any notified threats.

Monitored CCTV

This is another term for CCTV monitoring. Other terms include:

• 24/7 remote monitoring
• Surveillance camera monitoring
• Remote monitoring
• Remote CCTV monitoring
• Security camera monitoring
• Sensor activated CCTV monitoring
• Security system monitoring

Motion detection

Motion detection technology identifies movement within a camera’s field of view.

It can trigger alerts and start recording, ensuring security personnel capture and review suspicious activity.

Nuisance alarms

Nuisance alarms are false alerts triggered by non-threatening activities like animals, weather, or harmless movement.

Advanced CCTV systems use AI to minimise nuisance alarms, ensuring security personnel focus only on genuine threats.

Operational Continuity

Operational continuity is a key security objective for businesses with substantial assets to protect.

For example, if theives target a warehouse and they have stolen goods, you won’t be able to deliver packages, you will need to deal with complaints, re-order items and the company will lose time dealing with the fallout.

As a final example, criminals often target solar farms. Copper wiring and solar panels command a decent price on the black market. Solar farms provide the National Grid with additional energy capacity; this is how they make money. If thieves steal panels, the site will lose revenue.

Perimeter monitoring

Perimeter monitoring, a key component of modern security systems, offers comprehensive security coverage for the entire site.

Using CCTV cameras and sensors to protect the boundary of a premises or site can detect unauthorised access and potential threats such as theft, vandalism, and break-ins.

This proactive approach to security ensures that potential threats are identified and addressed before they can cause any harm.

PTZ camera

PTZ stands for Pan-Tilt-Zoom.

These cameras can rotate horizontally (pan), vertically (tilt), and zoom in and out, providing versatile surveillance coverage.

They are ideal for monitoring large areas and tracking moving objects.

PTZ cameras are suitable for various sites and situations and are perfect for CCTV monitoring systems, as they can spot and track intruders throughout your site.

Realtime CCTV footage

Realtime CCTV footage provides live video streaming from security cameras to a monitoring station.

This allows for immediate assessment and response to security incidents, improving the effectiveness of your surveillance systems.

Remote CCTV monitoring station

This is another term for the above-mentioned ARC. When your system is triggered, your monitoring station is alerted and deals with the threat accordingly.

Thermal imaging camera

Thermal CCTV cameras detect heat emitted by objects and people.

They are effective in low-light or no-light conditions, making them ideal for nighttime surveillance and detecting hidden intruders.

Lastly, Thermal cameras improve security by identifying suspicious behavior and reducing false alarms.

Video analytics

Video analytics uses AI algorithms to analyse video footage in real time.

This technology can detect and classify various activities, such as movement, loitering, and object removal.

To offer context, these advanced solutions can tell the difference between a falling tree branch and a human, or a shadow and an individual.