Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a visual surveillance technology designed for monitoring a variety of environments and activities all at the same time. CCTV can range in size from being within a single building, to a complex of buildings, to large campuses and city centers, and can even span across a continent. Such monitoring of areas and/or activities may be used for security, safety, industrial, or private purposes. The visual images created by a CCTV system may be viewed while an event is happening or recorded for ‘after-the-fact’ review either on-site or off-site.

CCTV systems may provide real-time, time-lapse, event, or digitally recorded surveillance information to help in detecting, responding to, investigating and providing evidence for security, safety and related incidents. A CCTV system may also be used to prevent security breaches by allowing security personnel to monitor access control systems at entry points to secure areas.