How Can You Recover Lost CCTV Footage?
While we don’t live in a crime-free country, we Singaporeans do enjoy more peace of mind knowing we’re not in so much danger from pickpockets, robbers, and other petty criminals. One of the reasons is that many establishments in Singapore have CCTV cameras to watch over the premises.
But as a business owner, have you ever wondered what could happen if you lost the recordings gathered by your CCTV system? It would definitely cause a world of trouble for your team! Fortunately, you may still be able to recover the footage if you act fast.
Let’s discuss what recovery options you have and what you can do to better protect your future surveillance data.
Why is CCTV Footage Recovery So Crucial?
The recordings from CCTV cameras help protect Singapore’s businesses in various ways, such as providing evidence during crime or accident investigations. If you can’t find the videos you need of a critical moment, you could lose legal disputes or get your insurance claims rejected.
Common Causes of Lost Camera Recordings
It always helps to understand the reason behind the problem before you work on a solution. So why do CCTV recordings get lost in the first place? Let’s check out some possible culprits:
- Storage Overwrite - Many surveillance systems overwrite the oldest footage to make way for new ones if they have limited storage space.
- Human Error - It’s also possible for files to get accidentally deleted by users.
- Physical Damage - If the data is in local storage, it can get corrupted when the servers or drives get damaged due to issues like fires, flooding, or extreme temperatures.
- Hacking and Malware - Viruses and hackers can also tamper with the footage and make it inaccessible.
What Data Recovery Options Do You Have?
Here are some of the main ways to get back the footage from your CCTV cameras in Singapore:
Use Your Backup
If you have a backup of your surveillance system’s data storage, you can check the folders for the file you need and restore it to the original storage space. This would be much easier for you if you have several backups on hand.
Try Recovery Software
What if you don’t have a backup? Data recovery tools are your next best option. You can install these programs on your computers and they will help you retrieve lost, deleted, or corrupted footage by running a deep scan of the storage device to locate the file in question.
Contact a Professional Recovery Service
If the tools don’t do the trick or the storage device was physically damaged, it would be better to have an expert check on it instead. They have the means to retrieve files from compromised systems while minimising the risk of corrupting them.
Tips for Protecting Your Surveillance Footage
Prevention is always better than a cure in medicine, and the same idea applies to your security camera’s data. Here are some safety strategies to keep in mind in the future:
- Always Have Backups - The rule of thumb is to have backup footage stored in at least 3 separate locations. Moreover, you shouldn’t store all of them on physical devices. Consider investing in cloud storage solutions too.
- Upgrade Your Storage Space - Always dealing with lost older footage? Avoid overwriting too frequently by increasing your system’s storage capacity.
- Mind Your Cybersecurity - You should also make sure to secure your system from malware and breaches, such as by using firewalls, multi-factor authentication, and antivirus programs.
- Keep Local Storage Systems Cool - Servers and drives should always be in temperature and moisture-controlled rooms to reduce the risk of physical damage.
- Partner With a Security Systems Expert - These service providers can assess your current setup and find ways to improve it further, including your storage solutions. They may also provide ongoing maintenance to keep your servers in good working order.
Protect Your Business with Secure CCTV Footage
CCTV cameras are Singapore’s best deterrents against crimes, but they need to be secured too. That also extends to the footage they gather for your business.
And if you do end up with lost footage, just remember that there are recovery options available to you here. Don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you need more help. At the end of the day, what matters is keeping your workplace safe and sound.