Auditing Information Systems, Second Edition

7.3. VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS

Video surveillance cameras are an additional control that can act as an effective deterrent to unauthorized activities and provide critical evidence in criminal prosecution and employee misconduct. Video surveillance cameras are usually positioned in strategic locations that afford full views of the doors and/or equipment they are designed to protect. The video system should be designed so that the day, date, and time appear on the recording. In addition, monitors should be installed in the guard station. One monitor for each video camera would be optimal. However, in many facilities, there are more video cameras than there is space available for monitors in the guard station. These systems are designed so that the views appearing in the monitors rotate among the various video cameras periodically (e.g., every 30 seconds). Security guard procedures should specify that they are to observe the activity in the monitors on a regular basis. For video tape systems, procedures should also be included in the security guard manual to ensure that videotapes are replaced before they run out. Full tapes should be stored for a reasonable time period in a secure off-site location.

Newer digital video surveillance systems should be programmed to save the data images on the hard drive. Nightly backups of the hard drive should be performed, and the backup tapes, CD-RWs, or other digital storage devices should be stored at a secure off-site storage facility for a ...