Choosing the Right CCTV Camera for Corporate Surveillance

Video surveillance is a great tool for protecting employees, preventing theft and reducing the risk of criminal break-ins. In addition, it can assist your in supervising your employees to ensure safety protocols (including WCB rules) are followed, record that the right products were shipped or received without damage, and even prevent employee harassment.

There are so many CCTV cameras on the market today. This presents a great opportunity for you to find a camera that does exactly what you need. The first step in choosing a CCTV camera is understanding the main types of cameras out there, and of course determining the main purpose for your surveillance.

What is a CCTV Camera System?

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the use of CCTV video cameras to transmit a video signal to a monitor for live viewing, or to a recording device for viewing at a later date. They are used primarily for surveillance and security purposes.


What Type of CCTV Camera Should I Buy?

Here is a selection of the different types of CCTV Cameras you can consider:

Dome Camera

Dome Cameras are often used for indoor security and surveillance. Typical applications are retail environments, where the camera is designed to be unobtrusive, but visible. In addition, the "dome" shape makes it difficult to tell the direction that these cameras are facing, and thus are ideal for deterring criminals. The “bad guys” will know the facility is being watched and customers will feel at ease knowing the facility is being protected. Units that allow the camera to pan/tilt/zoom and spin quickly within the housing are often referred to as “speed domes.” Speed domes are used to cover a wide area with only one camera, or to avoid poor light conditions at certain times of day.

Bullet Camera

Bullet Cameras have a long, cylindrical, and tapered shape, similar to that of a "rifle bullet", often used in applications that require long distance viewing. The camera is not typically designed to have pan/tilt/zoom control but instead to capture images from a fixed location, pointing at a particular area.

A bullet camera is a wall-mount or ceiling-mounted unit that is typically designed for indoor use, but can also be used for some outdoor applications. Many bullet cameras can also be waterproof by being installed inside protective casings, which protect against dust, dirt, rain, hail and other harmful elements.

C-Mount Camera

C-mount cameras have detachable lenses to fit different applications. Standard camera lenses can only cover distances of between 35 and 40ft, therefore with C-mount cameras, it is possible to use special lenses, which can cover distances greater than 40ft.

Day/Night Camera

Day/Night cameras have the distinct advantage of operating in both normal and poorly-lit environments. These cameras do not have Infrared illuminators because they can capture clear video images in varying light conditions and in the dark.

The camera is ideal for outdoor surveillance applications, where Infrared CCTV cameras cannot function optimally. These cameras are primarily used in outdoor applications and they can have a wide dynamic range to function in glare, direct sunlight, reflections and strong back light 24/7.

High-Definition HD Camera

Ultra high-definition cameras are often relegated to niche markets, such as casinos and banks. These give the operators the ability to zoom in with extreme clarity (to look at a poker player who might have something up their sleeve).

If you plan to conduct corporate surveillance, there are some additional factors to consider.  Click here to view our post: Corporate Surveillance | What You Need to Know.


We offer a variety of corporate surveillance services that will allow us to discreetly gather information and assist you in presenting unbiased facts and circumstances. We have a strict privacy policy in place, and can assist you in navigating your own privacy-related legislative requirements.

Contact us today for more information about our corporate surveillance services.



The Renwick Group has experience working with many different types of businesses and organizations providing skip-tracing, fraud investigations, WSIB support, legal team assistance, evidence gathering, employee background checks, and more. We also work with individuals who need help with personal matters. Call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 or visit our website for information.

Video Surveillance Systems for Business Security - What you need to do.

Many businesses recognize the need to add video surveillance to their security systems to reduce workplace fraud, and to protect employees. While video systems are relatively easy to install, company management must give thought to implementing a Video Surveillance Policy to ensure that all employees are aware of the system and its purpose.

In a recent Ontario case, a complaint was brought to the Privacy Commissioner by an inner-city bus employee, who felt that the bus company had not adequately informed employees of monitoring.

The Commissioner ruled in favour of the bus company stating, "the use of the video surveillance system could be supported for the purposes as outlined by the organization — ensuring security and safety, reducing illegal behaviour and limiting the potential for liability."

Elliott Goldstein, B.A., LL.B., writing about this case, pointed to 3 lessons for businesses using video security systems.
"1. Video surveillance in the workplace must be accompanied by sufficient signage to alert employees that they may be monitored.
2. If there is to be video surveillance in the workplace, employees must be informed of the purposes the information will be used.
3. Implied consent of employees for the use of their personal information collected by video surveillance is assumed to have been obtained when the personal information being collected is not sensitive and the express purposes of the video surveillance have been explained so that the employees would reasonably expect that their information be used for those purposes."

The solution is to implement a Video Surveillance Policy and communicate it to all employees.

Areas to address in the policy include;

• Purpose of video surveillance system.
• Where cameras are typically used.
• Where cameras are generally never used.
• Where the video surveillance system is monitored.
• How video is recorded and for what duration.
• Who is responsible for the management of the video surveillance system.
• Who has access to video recordings and for what purposes.
• Procedures for requesting video recordings.
• Archival storage of video recordings related to security incidents.

information source

Here is an example of a Video Surveillance Policy.

Thinking about corporate surveillance? It's important to speak with a professional to find a solution right for your organization and to protect your company against risk.

The Renwick Group is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario. We have evolved into a focused private investigation firm offering a unique range of regional and national services, including corporate surveillance. Please contact us to discuss your business needs. 1 (888) 722-9807  or visit our website.

Tips for Installing Video Security Cameras

This applies to home security and work security cameras. Professional installers will know where to point the cameras to get the best information.

source: By Simmons, Garrett on November 11, 2013.
Lethbridge Herald

"Last week I talked about the use of surveillance and CCTV cameras and I’d like to continue that theme and look at how the public can help the police and each other with their own video recording systems.

One of the first questions that an investigator asks themselves at a crime scene is “is there video?” The basic investigative questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how are still relevant but achieving those answers is often aided and expedited by the use of surveillance video. Often the video we look for is not at the scene itself but adjacent to the area, down the block or across the street.

With advances in technology the quality of such video has improved over the years and the cost of video surveillance systems has been reduced to the point where many people install them in their own homes. I can think of a few recent cases where video from a neighbouring business and home has provided us with the evidence we needed to solve a crime and make an arrest.

It is important when considering installing a video surveillance system to think about what it is being used for, how it will best assist you as a property owner and also how will it help your neighbours, if necessary, and the police. Make sure that you purchase a system that has a quality camera so that an identifiable picture can be obtained. We often look to identify someone from a surveillance system to only find that the cameras are not of a quality that can produce a good picture. We have all seen the photos that are so grainy it would be next to impossible to even identify your closest friend."

continue reading article..


The Renwick Group has experience working with many different types of businesses and organizations providing skip-tracing, fraud investigations, WSIB support, legal team assistance, evidence gathering, employee back-ground checks, and more. We also work with individuals who need help with personal matters. Call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 or visit our website for more contact information.

Do you need a video surveillance policy at work?

Many businesses recognize the need to add video surveillance to their security systems to reduce workplace fraud, and to protect employees. While video systems are relatively easy to install, company management must give thought to implementing a Video Surveillance Policy to ensure that all employees are aware of the system and its purpose.


Elliott Goldstein, B.A., LL.B., writing about a recent employment surveillance case, pointed to 3 lessons for businesses using video security systems.

"1. Video surveillance in the workplace must be accompanied by sufficient signage to alert employees that they may be monitored.
2. If there is to be video surveillance in the workplace, employees must be informed of the purposes the information will be used.
3. Implied consent of employees for the use of their personal information collected by video surveillance is assumed to have been obtained when the personal information being collected is not sensitive and the express purposes of the video surveillance have been explained so that the employees would reasonably expect that their information be used for those purposes."

The solution is to implement a Video Surveillance Policy and communicate it to all employees.

Areas to address in the policy include;

• Purpose of video surveillance system.
• Where cameras are typically used.
• Where cameras are generally never used.
• Where the video surveillance system is monitored.
• How video is recorded and for what duration.
• Who is responsible for the management of the video surveillance system.
• Who has access to video recordings and for what purposes.
• Procedures for requesting video recordings.
• Archival storage of video recordings related to security incidents.

information source

Here is an example of a Video Surveillance Policy.

Thinking about corporate surveillance? It's important to speak with a professional to find a solution right for your organization and to protect your company against risk.

The Renwick Group is a private investigation firm founded in 1997 and is based in Barrie, Ontario. We have evolved into a focused private investigation firm offering a unique range of regional and national services, including corporate surveillance. Please contact us to discuss your business needs. 1 (888) 722-9807  or visit our website.

Can Private Security Cameras Solve Crime?

There's some buzz in the USA recently about Private Security cameras used to provide video information to Police Departments. In Baltimore, a registration database is being assembled so that Police can identify available footage in a specific area more quickly. Police commissioner Charles Ramsey of the Philadelphia Police Department is looking for private citizens and companies to register their security camera with a program called Safecam.

In this video Security Cameras Can Be an Effective Way to Fight Crime, Wayne Shearer with Shearer Security Devices in Harrisburg, PA, takes about the use of home and business video surveillance systems and how they can aid police in identifying and prosecuting criminals.



Database of private security cameras could help in crime investigation

Philadelphia Police Urge Registration of Private Security Cams For Crimefighting

And in Canada in the news, Thief caught on hospital security camera after stealing patient’s wallet, leads to RCMP investigation.

The Renwick Group is a unique private investigation firm founded in 1997, focused on getting our clients the best results.
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Contact Us - 1-888-722-9807
Email - info@therenwickgroup.ca