The footage from your CCTV is invaluable. They provide video and audio evidence of occurrences around your home, which can be crucial in the event of a break-in. That’s why storage for CCTV is so important.
Storage systems keep all your footage in a safe location, giving you access whenever you need it. With that said, there are two popular types of storage systems; cloud and local storage. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so which one is right for you?
Cloud CCTV Storage
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Cloud CCTV storage allows your footage to be saved online through the cloud. This is typically done via providers such as Amazon AWS, Google Drive or Microsoft Azure. With this option, your CCTV footage is not tied to a single device at home.
- Advantages
- Remote Access: With cloud CCTV storage, you can view live feeds and recordings anytime, anywhere. You can monitor your property directly from mobile apps or web browsers, making it ideal for frequent travellers.
- Secure Backups: Most cloud platforms use advanced encryption and data backup protocols to keep your CCTV recordings safe. This reduces the risk of data loss if your local device is stolen or damaged.
- Scalability: Unlike physical HDDs or SSDs that run out of space, cloud services let you upgrade your storage capacity instantly. This makes it easy to store more footage without worrying about buying new drives.
- Smart Recording: Cloud systems often support motion-triggered recording, meaning your cameras only upload when movement is detected. This saves both bandwidth and storage space, while still capturing important events.
- Disaster Protection: Since your recordings are stored offsite, you’re protected from unexpected issues such as fire, theft or drive failure. Even if your CCTV storage server crashes, the footage remains secure in the cloud.
- Disadvantages
- Internet Dependency: Cloud CCTV storage relies heavily on internet connection. Without sufficient upload speeds and cloud bandwidth, large video files may not be uploaded quickly.
- Subscription Costs: Unlike local storage, subscribing to cloud storage usually involves ongoing monthly or annual fees. Over time, these costs may exceed the price of a local storage system which is usually a one-off investment in hardware.
- Upload Limitations: If you have multiple cameras recording in HD or 4K, continuous 24/7 uploading may strain your network. This is why many people combine cloud storage with edge storage (microSD cards) for balance.
- Data Control: With your footage stored on external servers, you have less direct control compared to keeping everything in local storage. You’ll need to trust the provider’s privacy policies and security measures.
- Retention Restrictions: Cloud plans often limit how long you can keep recordings. For example, basic packages may only allow 7 days of footage, while longer retention periods require a higher-tier subscription.
Local CCTV Storage
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Local CCTV storage relies on physical devices to save your recordings directly at home or on-site. This can be done through hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs) or microSD cards installed in IP cameras.
- Advantages
- Full Control: With local CCTV storage, you have direct access to your recordings without relying on third-party servers. Your data stays within your property, giving you greater control over privacy and security.
- No Internet Required: Unlike cloud storage, local systems continue recording even if your internet goes down. This ensures continuous coverage, which is crucial for 24/7 surveillance.
- One-Time Investment: There are no subscription fees after purchasing your surveillance-grade HDDs. Over time, this can be more cost-effective than paying for cloud plans.
- Higher Recording Quality: With sufficient storage capacity or a dedicated CCTV storage server, you can store higher-resolution footage without worrying about upload speeds or bandwidth limits.
- Customisable Retention: You decide your footage retention period based on the size of your drives. For example, a business may keep 30 days of recordings on a large NAS system, while homeowners may prefer a shorter period.
- Disadvantages
- Risk of Damage or Theft: Since recordings are stored on-site, they can be lost if your equipment is stolen or damaged. Unlike cloud CCTV storage, there’s no offsite backup unless you set up redundancy.
- Limited Scalability: Expanding local storage means buying additional HDDs, SSDs or upgrading to larger NAS or SAN systems. This can become costly and requires technical setup compared to simply upgrading a cloud plan.
- Maintenance Required: Devices like DVRs, NVRs and RAID storage systems need regular maintenance. Without proper maintenance, you risk losing critical CCTV footage.
- Higher Upfront Costs: Local storage is usually cheaper in the long run. However, the initial investment in hardware such as surveillance-grade drives or a CCTV storage server can cost a lot of money.
- Accessibility Limits: Unlike cloud solutions, remote access to local storage requires additional configuration, such as setting up port forwarding or VPN access. For some homeowners, this can be too technical or inconvenient.
How to Choose the Right Storage for CCTV
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| Features | Cloud CCTV Storage | Local CCTV Storage |
| Access | Remote access anytime via apps | On-site access, remote access requires extra setup (e.g., VPN or port forwarding) |
| Security | Encrypted storage with automatic backups; offsite protection from fire/theft | Data remains on your property; higher risk if devices are stolen or damaged |
| Scalability | Easy to upgrade storage capacity instantly by upgrading | Limited by physical drives (HDDs, SDDs, NAS, RAID) – requires hardware upgrades |
| Costs | Ongoing subscriptions fees; cost may rise with higher retention periods | Higher upfront investment but generally more cost-effective long-term |
| Recording Options | Supports motion-triggered CCTV storage, reducing bandwidth use | Supports continuous 24/7 high-resolution recording, depending on storage server capacity |
| Reliability | Dependent on stable internet and sufficient cloud bandwidth | Works without internet; recording continues even if network is down |
| Retention Period | May be limited (e.g., 7 days for basic plans, longer with higher tiers) | Fully customisable based on drive size (e.g., 30+ days with larger NAS systems) |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance, managed by provider | Requires regular drive checks and hardware replacement (DVRs, NVRs, RAID systems) |
All in all, a cloud CCTV storage is best if you value convenience and flexibility. You’ll have 24/7 access to your footage which is secured safely in a separate location. On the other hand, local CCTV storage is a solid choice if you want full control and independence from the internet.
Your footage will be stored directly on-site, making it readily available even without an internet connection.
The Bottom Line
The right storage for CCTV is a discourse that has stood the test of time. Having said that, it’s important to note that the choice is completely based on what you’re looking for. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us for help, we can show you exactly what you need!
Visit drwifi.com.sg to find out more!
