David Kimani 24 June 2026 6 min read
Organisations frequently invest in cameras and then discover the footage is useless when it matters. Almost always, the cause is design rather than hardware.
Start with the question, not the camera Every camera should answer a defined question: who entered, what was taken, which vehicle left. A camera without a question is a camera without a purpose.
Identification versus monitoring Identification requires far more pixels on target than general monitoring. A single wide-angle camera covering an entire yard cannot also identify a face at the gate.
Lighting is half the system Infrared and low-light performance vary enormously. A site survey after dark reveals problems that a daytime walkthrough never will.
Storage and retention Retention periods should be set by how long an incident typically takes to surface, not by whatever the recorder shipped with.
Monitoring and response Recorded footage is evidence. Monitored footage is prevention. If a system is intended to prevent loss, someone or something must be watching in real time.
Design first, then specify. The result is fewer cameras, better evidence and a lower total cost.