CCTV
Watchful electronic eyes
CCTV stands for closed-circuit television—a system of video cameras that transmit to a limited set of monitors rather than broadcasting publicly.
CCTV appears in security contexts: stores, banks, parking garages, street corners.
The robbery was caught on CCTV.
The term often stands in for surveillance generally: London is famous for its extensive CCTV coverage.
Device recording observed areas
- security cameraMounted recording device
- video surveillanceRecorded visual monitoring
- IP cameraInternet-connected video device
- body cameraWearable law enforcement recorder
dashcam · webcam · pinhole camera · fisheye lens · night vision · infrared · motion sensor · DVR
Facility housing operational oversight
- operatorOne who works machinery
- live feedReal-time video transmission
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- observationAttentive watching or remark
watchfulness · scrutiny · oversight · real-time · alert · notification · facial recognition · 24/7
Captured audio or video
- videoRecorded moving imagery
- clipCut or attach
- playbackReproducing recorded media
- timestampRecorded moment identifier
evidence · screenshot · still frame · archive · backup · storage · retrieval · review
Prevention via threatened consequences
- crime preventionStopping offenses before occurrence
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- vandalismWillful property damage
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
trespassing · shoplifting · intrusion detection · perimeter · access control · alarm · guard · patrol
Government that watches all
- Big BrotherTotalitarian surveillance authority
- data protectionSecuring sensitive information
- GDPREU data protection law
- consentVoluntary agreement given
signage · civil liberties · public space · right to privacy · oversight · accountability · transparency · opt-out
surveillance camera
Device recording observed areas
- security cameraMounted recording device
- video surveillanceRecorded visual monitoring
- IP cameraInternet-connected video device
body camera · dashcam · webcam · pinhole camera · fisheye lens · night vision · infrared · motion sensor · DVR · remote viewing
control room
Facility housing operational oversight
- operatorOne who works machinery
- live feedReal-time video transmission
- patrolRegular surveillance route
observation · watchfulness · scrutiny · oversight · real-time · alert · notification · facial recognition · 24/7 · shift work
recording
Captured audio or video
timestamp · evidence · screenshot · still frame · archive · backup · storage · retrieval · review · enhancement
deterrence
Prevention via threatened consequences
- crime preventionStopping offenses before occurrence
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- vandalismWillful property damage
burglary · trespassing · shoplifting · intrusion detection · perimeter · access control · alarm · guard · patrol · safeguard
surveillance state
Government that watches all
- Big BrotherTotalitarian surveillance authority
- data protectionSecuring sensitive information
- GDPREU data protection law
consent · signage · civil liberties · public space · right to privacy · oversight · accountability · transparency · opt-out · masking
street
Public urban roadway
- intersectionPoint where paths meet
- ATMAutomated banking kiosk
- bankPlace holding deposits
shop · mall · airport · station · hospital · school · parking garage · lobby · elevator · warehouse
- imaging devicescamera, cameras, digital camera, digital cameras, video camera
- safety monitoringsmoke detector, fire alarm, carbon monoxide detector, security camera, motion sensor
- building systemsHVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, cooling
- camswebcam, spy cam, hidden cam, nanny cam, mini cam
- Chinese EntitiesAlibaba, Huawei, Baidu, WeChat, TikTok
- Chinese mediaXinhua, state media, TV stations, news agencies, radio stations
CCTVsecurity guard
Hired protector of property
night watchman · foot patrol · beat cop · bouncer · unmonitored
CCTVprivacy
Freedom from observation
anonymity · private sphere · off-the-grid · invisibility · seclusion
CCTVpublic broadcast
Media accessible to all
two-way communication · transparency · freedom of information · face-to-face interaction · open access
- CCTV footageRecorded security camera video
- CCTV camerasVideo surveillance equipment
- CCTV surveillanceClosed-circuit camera observation
- CCTV monitoringWatching via security cameras