CCTV is usually sold on camera resolution and count. What actually determines whether a system is useful two years later is the network design behind it — storage, network isolation, and remote access — not just how sharp the picture looks in a demo.
IP-based vs DVR-based, in plain terms
- DVR-based (analog cameras) — cameras connect via coaxial cable to a DVR box, which handles recording. Simpler, cheaper upfront, works well for smaller setups where cabling is already in place.
- IP-based — cameras connect over the network (often with Power over Ethernet, one cable for power and data) to an NVR or a server. Higher image quality, easier to scale, and can be integrated with the existing network — which also means it needs to be secured like any other network device.
Why CCTV should sit on its own VLAN
IP cameras are among the most frequently targeted devices on a business network — they're often internet-connected, rarely get firmware updates, and default credentials are commonly left unchanged. Isolating them on their own VLAN means a compromised camera can't be used as a stepping stone into the file server or staff PCs.
On several deployments, I've set up both IP-based and DVR-based CCTV specifically on an isolated VLAN, separate from servers, staff devices, and guest Wi-Fi — so the surveillance system can be reached for viewing but can't reach anything else on the network.
Questions worth asking before installation
- How many days of footage does the storage actually hold at your camera count and resolution? (This is often overstated in quotes.)
- Is remote viewing (from a phone, off-site) part of the setup, and is it done securely — not by opening a port directly to the internet?
- Will cameras sit on their own VLAN, isolated from the rest of the network?
- What's the plan when a camera or the DVR/NVR fails — is it under warranty, and who supports it?
A practical minimum
For most small offices: entry/exit points, cash counter or high-value storage area, and the server/network room are the priority spots — not blanket coverage of every corner, which mostly adds cost without adding useful footage.