If you are a small or expanding business or large property owner CCTV compliance could be a worry but using CCTV Logbook could give you peace of mind.
There are legal obligations to meet and if you have cameras that face onto public right of ways you must make sure that you are providing appropriate protection for the privacy of individuals.
The 12 Guiding Principles of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice were designed for organisations looking to use CCTV. They ensure that they do not cross over from providing protection and support for individuals and communities to being seen as breaching their human rights, particularly their right to privacy.
Many of the requirements laid out in the Guiding Principles are contained within the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018). This incorporated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and this law is enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Compliance could be a headache or a burden but using the systematic and staged approach of CCTV Logbook means you will have peace of mind. Indeed, you will be certain that you are meeting your obligations and have the review in place to remain so in the future. You will be taken through the 12 Guiding Principles
The first step is to outline the purpose of the CCTV system and the portal provides the key reasons you may have one. It also allows you to outline any other reasons for having a CCTV system as well as setting a review of this purpose. To be compliant you need to review this at least annually and you can set this within the portal.
The next 11 steps, will also prompt you to think about your system in the correct way and put the necessary actions and reviews in place to remain compliant. The areas covered are:
Privacy: The use of a surveillance camera system must take into account people’s privacy and be reviewed regularly.
Visitors: There must be a published contact point for access to information and complaints about the CCTV system. This will usually be found on your CCTV sign that should be displayed around your property. To help you get this right CCTV Logbook has an example sign for you to download.
Roles: There must be clear responsibility and accountability for all surveillance camera system activities.
Policies: There must be clear rules, policies and procedures for all surveillance camera systems.
Retention: No more images and information should be stored than is required for the stated purpose of the CCTV system.
Access: There should be restricted access to retained images and there must be clear rules on who can gain access.
Standards: CCTV operators should consider any approved operational, technical and competency standards relevant to a system.
Safeguarding: There should be appropriate measures to safeguard against unauthorised access and use of the CCTV system.
Reviews: There should be review and audit mechanisms in place to ensure legal requirements, policies and standards are complied with.
Evidence: The CCTV system should be used in the most effective way to support public safety and law enforcement if necessary.
Technology: Data used to support a CCTV system which compares against a database should be accurate and kept up to date.
In CCTV Logbook as you complete all 12 areas of compliance it will be shown within the portal and you will be able to download and print off a compliance certificate. This could be displayed publicly to demonstrate this compliance, although it is not a legal document.
If you want help to give you peace of mind when managing your CCTV assets or compliance then book a tour of CCTV Logbook online or contact us.