CCTV has traditionally relied on one thing: a recorder located inside the property. For many homes and businesses, local recording remains an excellent solution.
But what happens if that recorder is damaged, stolen, disconnected or deliberately interfered with?
That's where cloud CCTV can provide another layer of protection.
Fortify Security Systems is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Videoloft, enabling us to provide cloud-based CCTV recording and management solutions to customers across Gibraltar.
What Is Cloud CCTV?
Traditional CCTV systems generally record footage onto an NVR or DVR located somewhere within the property.
Cloud CCTV changes this by securely sending CCTV footage off-site for storage in the cloud.
This means the footage doesn't have to exist solely on a hard drive sitting inside the same building that the cameras are protecting.
Depending on the solution we design, cloud recording can be used alongside an existing local recorder, providing an additional layer of resilience.
Why Has Fortify Partnered With Videoloft?
As Fortify continues to expand its CCTV offering, we want customers to have more choice in how and where their security footage is stored.
Not every property requires cloud CCTV, and we don't believe in pushing technology simply because it's new.
But there are situations where cloud recording makes a lot of sense.
Videoloft specialises in bringing professional CCTV systems into the cloud, including compatibility with a wide range of existing cameras.
That allows us to offer customers a modern cloud solution without necessarily requiring them to replace an entire CCTV installation.
1. Your Footage Is Stored Away From the Property
One of the biggest advantages of cloud recording is simple: Your CCTV footage isn't solely dependent on equipment located inside the premises. Imagine a burglary where an intruder finds and removes the NVR.
With a traditional local-only installation, the recorder containing the evidence could potentially disappear with them.
With appropriately configured cloud recording, footage that has already been uploaded is stored remotely.
This can provide an important additional layer of resilience.
2. Access Your CCTV From Anywhere
Modern security shouldn't require sitting in front of a monitor.
Cloud CCTV allows authorised users to remotely access compatible cameras and recordings using connected devices.
This can be particularly useful for business owners who want visibility of their premises while away from Gibraltar or managers responsible for more than one location.
3. One Platform for Multiple Locations
This is an area where we think cloud CCTV could be particularly useful for Gibraltar businesses.
Consider a company operating several shops, offices, restaurants or other premises. Rather than treating each CCTV installation as an entirely separate system, a cloud platform can provide centralised visibility across multiple locations.
For businesses expanding to additional premises, cameras can be incorporated into the wider security environment.
4. Easier Access to Recorded Footage
When an incident occurs, finding the right footage shouldn't become an IT project. Cloud-based CCTV platforms are designed to make reviewing and accessing recordings straightforward.
Instead of physically accessing a recorder, authorised users can search and review available footage through the platform.
That can be particularly useful when an incident needs to be investigated quickly.
5. Cloud CCTV Doesn't Necessarily Mean Replacing Your Cameras
This is an important point. If you already have professional CCTV installed, don't assume you need an entirely new system to move to the cloud.
Videoloft supports a broad range of compatible CCTV equipment, including systems from major CCTV manufacturers.
Fortify can therefore assess an existing installation and determine whether the cameras can be integrated with a Videoloft cloud solution.
In some cases, this could allow a customer to retain much of their existing CCTV investment while modernising the way recordings are stored and accessed.
Local Recording vs Cloud Recording
We don't see this as a case of one technology completely replacing the other. Both approaches have advantages.
Traditional NVR Recording
Traditional recording provides local storage and can be an extremely effective solution, particularly where substantial recording capacity is required.
Cloud Recording
Cloud recording introduces off-site storage, convenient remote access and additional resilience against something happening to the recorder at the property.
Local + Cloud
For customers requiring greater resilience, we can design solutions where CCTV continues recording locally while footage is also protected in the cloud. This creates multiple layers rather than relying on a single recording location.
Who Could Benefit From Cloud CCTV?
There are many potential applications across Gibraltar.
- Retailers can remotely monitor shops and protect important footage.
- Offices can centralise security across one or multiple locations.
- Restaurants and hospitality businesses can access cameras without needing to be physically present.
- Construction sites can benefit from remotely accessible surveillance.
- Residential customers can add off-site recording to compatible home CCTV.
- Warehouses and commercial premises can combine larger camera deployments with centralised management.
- Multi-site organisations can manage cameras across several locations from a central platform. For organisations with multiple sites, the ability to bring cameras together under one platform can be particularly valuable.
What Happens if the Internet Goes Down?
Cloud CCTV naturally depends on connectivity for footage to reach the cloud.
That's one reason why Fortify will assess the wider environment when recommending a solution rather than simply installing the same configuration everywhere.
Internet connectivity, available upload bandwidth, number of cameras, recording requirements and desired retention period all need to be considered.
Where appropriate, maintaining local recording alongside cloud storage can provide another layer of resilience.
How Much Cloud Storage Do You Need?
There isn't one answer for every customer. A small residential system and a business operating dozens of cameras have very different requirements.
Fortify can build the solution around factors such as:
- Number of cameras
- Recording requirements
- Required retention period
- Existing CCTV equipment
- Internet connectivity
- Local recording requirements
- Number of sites This allows us to provide different cloud CCTV configurations rather than forcing every customer into the same solution.
Another Step Forward for Fortify
Our partnership with Videoloft forms part of a wider goal for Fortify Security Systems: providing Gibraltar with modern security solutions backed by local installation, configuration and support.
We're continuing to develop our offering across CCTV, wireless security, intruder alarms, access control, video intercoms, fire safety, structured cabling and maintenance.
Cloud CCTV is another important addition. And importantly, our approach remains the same: We'll recommend the solution that makes sense for your property rather than technology for technology's sake**.**
Interested in Moving Your CCTV to the Cloud?
Whether you're planning a completely new CCTV installation or already have cameras installed, Fortify can assess your requirements and determine whether Videoloft cloud recording is suitable.
We can look at your existing cameras, connectivity, required recording period and number of locations before recommending the appropriate configuration.