How Long Do Security Cameras Keep Footage?

Businesses rely on video surveillance for various purposes such as preventing theft, enhancing employee and customer safety, and monitoring operations. However most companies don’t know how long the footage is retained. Knowing retention periods is essential to maximize your system’s effectiveness, whether you have a full set of security cameras across your property or are using live video monitoring services.

Video Footage Retention Periods

The duration security cameras retain footage varies depending on several factors including storage capacity, recording settings, and legal requirements.

Short-Term Retention

Many security camera systems use a 24-hour loop recording function for high-traffic areas. This setup captures recent activity efficiently but overwrites footage older than 24 hours. This approach suits low-risk areas where immediate monitoring suffices. Homes and small businesses typically retain footage for one to two weeks due to limited storage on typical NVRs or hard drives.

Mid-Term Retention

A 30-day retention period strikes a balance between capturing recent events and managing storage needs. This timeframe suits residential applications or businesses with moderate security requirements. Larger businesses might retain footage for 30 to 90 days, depending on storage capacity and industry regulations. For instance, retail and healthcare sectors may have legal mandates dictating longer retention periods.

Long-Term Retention

High-risk industries or those with stringent legal requirements might retain footage for 90 days to a year. This ensures critical video evidence remains available for investigations, audits, or compliance purposes. High-security environments like banks, casinos, and heavily regulated facilities often keep footage for six months to a year or more.

Impact of Storage Capacity on Footage Retention

Storage capacity significantly affects how long footage is retained. Various recording modes influence this:

• Continuous Recording: Records footage non-stop, quickly consuming storage space. Suitable for environments needing constant monitoring, like dashcams.
• Scheduled Recording: Allows recording during specified times, conserving storage by not recording continuously.
• Loop Recording: Overwrites the oldest footage once storage is full, maximizing efficiency by always using available space.
• Motion Detection Recording: Records only when motion is detected, significantly reducing storage needs.
• Cloud-Based Recording: Stores footage in the cloud, providing scalable storage accessible from anywhere.
• External Storage Solutions: Allows footage storage on external drives, NAS, or personal computers, offering flexibility.

Legal Requirements for Retaining Footage

Legal mandates for footage retention vary by industry and location. For instance, Nova Scotia recommends a maximum 30-day retention period unless footage affects an individual directly, in which case it must be kept for a year. The reason for recording footage also influences retention periods. For example, parking lot surveillance for theft deterrence might only require retaining footage for a few days unless a theft is reported.

Industry-Specific Requirements

• Financial Services: Regulations like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act may require retention for 30 to 90 days.
• Healthcare: HIPAA influences retention, particularly for footage capturing sensitive areas, with state laws often requiring 30 to 90 days.
• Retail and Hospitality: Local laws or PCI DSS compliance might dictate retention periods, often ranging from one week to three months.

Choosing the Right Storage Solution

Selecting the appropriate storage solution depends on your specific needs:

• On-Camera Storage: Suitable for small amounts of footage without an internet connection but limited in capacity.
• Local Storage: Offers more capacity and control but requires additional equipment and backup responsibility.
• Cloud Storage: Provides scalable storage and remote access but involves recurring costs and relies on an internet connection.

Balancing Storage and Retention

To keep your security camera footage longer, balance storage capacity with desired retention periods:

• Prioritize Motion Detection: Reduces storage needs by recording only when necessary.
• Calibrate Resolution: Adjust video resolution settings to balance detail and storage usage.
• Schedule Footage Exports: Regularly export critical footage for long-term archiving to free up primary storage.
• Utilize Efficient Encoding: Choosing efficient encoding like H.265 maximizes storage space without compromising quality.
• Implement RAID Technology: Provides redundancy and protects against data loss from single drive failures.

Cloud Storage Impact on Retention

Cloud storage significantly influences retention by offering increased flexibility and scalability. It allows for offsite backups, remote access, and archiving options, though it involves recurring fees based on storage needs. Even with cloud storage, local recording often acts as a buffer before uploading, ensuring a layered approach to data retention.