THE BRITISH SECURITY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (BSIA) has issued two essential guidance documents for end users covering key aspects of CCTV – its operation alongside Chip and PIN technology, and its deployment with privacy masking software.

Chip and PIN-based security

CCTV has long been an essential tool for retailers in the fight against business crime. However, the introduction of Chip and PIN has created issues with respect to the use of CCTV (including the positioning of CCTV cameras where PIN details can be recorded).

Critical areas addressed by the BSIA’s guidelines include: the positioning of Chip and PIN terminals (both static and mobile), CCTV at the Point of Sale (in particular focusing on the location of fixed cameras such that PIN information cannot be clearly identified), the ways in which cameras used for transaction monitoring should be handled and the need for ensuring that the pre-set positions of any mobile cameras are not going to be able to capture customers’ PIN details.

Tackling the privacy issues

Respecting the privacy of individuals is a challenge for all users of CCTV systems due to the fact that such rights are protected by Data Protection and Human Rights legislation. To provide CCTV end users with much-needed advice in this complex area, the BSIA has now produced a guide to CCTV privacy masking.

“Privacy masking involves restricting what can be seen by CCTV systems, and applies equally to those images displayed as a result of real-time surveillance and those recorded for viewing at a later date,” comments BSIA CCTV Section chair Pauline Norstrom.

“It’s essential that users are aware of the legislative requirements pertaining to the Human Rights Act and the Data Protection Act in relation to privacy issues. The legislation requires users to ensure that cameras only monitor those spaces intended to be covered by the equipment, and that privacy issues are always taken into account. It is vitally important end users take advantage of privacy masking to stay within the law, while at the same time making the most of the crime reduction capabilities offered by their CCTV set-up.”

Electronic masking explained

Electronic masking can involve masking areas with a solid colour such that no detail or movement is visible, blurring (or pixelating) an area of the image to allow sight of movement but no detail or using a mask that only engages when the camera zooms-in on a specific area.

The BSIA guide highlights the strengths and weaknesses of all forms of privacy masking, providing end users with invaluable advice.

The BSIA’s CCTV Guides may be accessed online at www.bsia.co.uk/download.html

Source

SMT