The Evolution of Video Surveillance for Businesses: Use Cases Then and Now

Video surveillance has come a long way — from the days of grainy analogue tapes to today’s intelligent, AI-driven systems. Where once security cameras were reactive tools with limited functions, modern solutions now allow personnel to take proactive measures against security threats. From high-definition video, real-time alerts, facial recognition, cloud storage, and even predictive analytics, video surveillance can now be used to enhance security, drive operational efficiency, provide customer behaviour insights, and enable regulatory compliance. Let’s explore the evolution of surveillance technology.

From low-quality footage to actionable intel

Then

During the early days of surveillance, analogue CCTV systems produced pixelated, low-clarity footage that made it difficult to identify people or objects. Monitoring was a manual, often monotonous task, requiring security personnel to watch live feeds in real time or painstakingly sift through hours of recorded video to investigate incidents like theft or vandalism. The process was reactive, slow, and prone to oversight, offering little more than a basic visual record after

Now

One of the salient features of AI-enabled surveillance cameras is real-time threat detection. These cameras can automatically identify and respond to suspicious activities, from loitering to violence and intrusion, without any need for constant human monitoring. When a potential threat is detected, automated alerts are instantly triggered, allowing for responders to take immediate action. The real-time detection makes it possible to pinpoint incidents within seconds, dramatically shortening the reaction time and improving overall response efficiency.

Incidents are also logged and indexed, allowing personnel to search for them easily for investigations. Lastly, these advanced systems are often integrated seamlessly with access control and alarm systems, creating a unified security infrastructure.

Heightening operational efficiency and safety

Then

In earlier setups, video footage was occasionally used to manually review workflows, often as a reactive measure rather than a routine practice. Typically, recordings were only consulted after a major incident had occurred — such as a safety breach or operational failure — or during sporadic spot checks. This limited use meant that valuable insights were often overlooked, and opportunities to improve daily operations or prevent issues in advance were missed.

Now

With analytics-driven insights, organisations can gain a deeper understanding of employee movement and identify process bottlenecks in real time. For instance, heatmaps can reveal areas in offices with high foot traffic and usage, helping to optimise resource management and facility layouts. Additionally, advanced technologies like attire detection can ensure employees adhere to dress code regulations — such as workers in construction sites or researchers in laboratories — offering an added layer of compliance monitoring. These innovations not only enhance operational efficiency but also help create a safer workplace.

Making data-driven decisions to enhance retail experience

Then

In the past, footage offered little to no insight into customers’ actual behaviors or intentions, capturing only their movements. These surveillance systems were mostly used as a deterrent, subtly encouraging shoppers to follow store rules, or as a tool for resolving disputes and investigating incidents like theft after they had occurred.

Now

Modern video analytics go beyond these basic capabilities, and can offer valuable insights into customer behaviours such as dwell time, traffic flow, and engagement zones within a store. By understanding where customers spend the most time and how they navigate the space, retailers can now optimise store layouts, adjust the placement of displays or equipment, and allocate staff more effectively to manage crowds during peak hours. In addition, real-time alerts on issues like theft, vandalism, or long queues enable immediate staff intervention, helping to reduce risk and minimise loss.

Centralised, intuitive management meets improved privacy

Then

Finally, traditional surveillance systems relied solely on on-premise monitoring, requiring security personnel to be physically present to oversee operations. This posed a problem for organisations, especially since manpower crunch continues to be a woe in the security sector. Also, these systems typically recorded continuously, without the ability to filter footage, offering no discretion or consideration for privacy. 

Now

Modern surveillance systems leverage cloud-based technologies to provide seamless access to both real-time and recorded footage from a centralised location. This flexibility allows security teams in command centres to monitor operations remotely, respond to incidents faster, and maintain oversight. Mobile apps also further enhance responsiveness by delivering instant alerts and enabling quick reviews of incidents from anywhere. What’s more, live dashboards offer a comprehensive view of security across all sites, improving coordination and situational awareness. 

To address growing privacy concerns, advanced features like dynamic masking and exclusion zones can be implemented, ensuring sensitive areas or individuals are automatically obscured — striking a balance between security and privacy.

Interested in finding out more about video analytics solutions and how they can transform your business? Get in touch with a Canon consultant today!