Closed circuit television or CCTV is one of the most common surveillance measures imposed on the public. Cameras are usually mount at the entrance of places with restricted access such as government or law enforcement buildings, public transport terminal points, and security check points etc. Surveillance cameras are also no stranger to public places, hotel lobbies, or commercial premises.

Footages captured by these machines are wide ranging from day-to-day living or happening, to minor theft, graffiti, vandalism and even assault or murder. By having CCTV cameras, police are able to use the captured moments as court evidences or traces to track down involved personnel. Hence, CCTV cameras are always considered a vital part of investigation.

However, as we all know the presence or been informed of its existence via large displayed signs, not many actually know what is going on behind the scene. As in, at the control room where all recordings converged and conditions of all cameras are monitored.

Government sectors or owners of commercial buildings often employed qualified and external security companies to overlook these cameras and recordings. Most of the time, many cameras and footages arrive at the same control room and service cost can be as high as 1.5 to 2 million US dollars annually.

The sky rocket expenditure stamped from the fact that these control rooms never rest. Not only they work round the clock, throughout holidays, but also because they have a proper system to store the recorded footages, in case if they are required by the authorities.

Moreover, trained operators who work in these control rooms are able to act immediately, zooming into any suspicious individuals or events that are happening at the very moment, and alert the police at once. In a way which is also to aid crime prevention.

Besides police officers, if the operators spot a drunk or people who are staggering through the streets, they will also notify relevant staff to render help. Thus, the CCTV control room is not just targeting at those who had done wrong, but also those who are in need of an extra pair of hands.

This is especially true in suspect removal, to eliminate a person being accused of a crime.

While some CCTV cameras are stationed permanently, some are always on the move, therefore, these trained operators will also have to learn the new area quickly so that they will not miss any target. Although CCTV cameras tend to carry the name of privacy invasion, they are indeed handy when it comes to safeguarding the public and their assets.