Times have simply changed and it cannot be helped. The only solution is to help yourself. Initially, the first step is to securing safety is checking if the locks around your home are heavy duty, the second step is ensuring that the installed alarm works, and lastly installing a reliable security camera system. When talking about video surveillance camera systems, the first that comes to mind is CCTV systems as the most used security system all over the world.

A German engineer, Walter Bruch designed the CTTV in 1942 installed by Siemens AG for a rocket test stand during second world was. It was used to monitor public areas in Europe in the sixties. In the seventies the governmental and financial institutions worldwide started using them regularly realizing its benefits in crime prevention. In the eighties, pan and tilt functionality started to be included in CCTV kits. In the nineties new technology in the form of high resolution and low light cameras were incorporated as many stores started using them to avoid burglary. In the early twenties CCTV kits started having infrared and high resolution lenses. Today, CCTV cameras have the ability to follow a target and zoom in to add to its many features while wireless CCTV kits are already available.

To explain briefly, CCTV stands for Close Circuit Television because it was designed to monitor nearby areas. The simplest CCTV system is a single camera connected to a coaxial cable that is directly connected to a monitor. We say directly because there are other CCTV systems in place nowadays that enable you to have more cameras where you can opt to view a single camera or all in sequence with the use of a video switcher as well as recording footage by connecting a video recorder between the monitor and camera.

CCTV systems nowadays have gone digital and are far more advanced in functionality and user-friendliness such as they are composed of the old equipment with new features and modern software with a lot of convenient features such as night vision, pan, tilt, zoom, infra-red technology that is invisible to the human eye which allows cameras to see up to 20 meters, a digital video recorder that you can remotely log into, motion detection technology that allows you to see controls in recording when the camera is triggered by a fixed movement and allows users to view footage through logging in through an iPhone app.

Understand that these systems have an array of functions where they can be used and not only for home security. They can be used to view real-time traffic, manufacturing plants to ensure that quality processes are being followed by workers, public areas to minimize the risk of terrorists, robbery and other crimes, for research such as migration of birds, industries where processes are risky to humans such as chemical industry, finding problems where humans will not fit or may be harmful for them and of course to avoid crime. There are probably a hundred more functions that a CCTV camera can undertake which will only need the creativity of its owner.

Choosing the right CCTV system for you depends on a myriad of factors. For instance, the number of cameras you might need, if you prefer wireless CCTV kits or a traditional one, where the cameras are to be installed for instance outdoors where it might be prone to dirt and dust, the ability to access it from your mobile phone and elsewhere while you are out and the ability to record footage. Consider this first before canvassing for the right CCTV kit for you. With every feature of high end technology, it can be easy to get carried away.

Now, your CCTV systems cannot do it all for you. Do not expect miracles from it and remember that it is only a device and does not have a heart and mind of its own. Protect your privacy in your own little way such as being choosy with whom you connect with on your Facebook account or by not telling everyone on social networks what you are doing and where you are going. You can avoid situations like these entirely but it is really up to you to make that happen.