In today’s day and age, “surveillance” is a term that feels almost identical to “security”. When people think about security, they picture officers keeping watch of their surroundings or sitting at a desk to review camera footage. They picture a security guard staffing a metal detector, checking IDs to ensure visitors are authorized to be where they are.

With data privacy being a top concern for users and organizations, surveillance has taken on a more negative connotation. To combat this, security leaders need to be especially careful when balancing security and personal privacy.

One way to do this is with streamlining video surveillance.

“A video management system (VMS) can streamline building security by bringing video, access control and intercoms into one place. Security teams gain a comprehensive view of activities in secure areas. And with remote and mobile access, authorized personnel can monitor and manage their VMS from anywhere. This is especially helpful for large facilities or campuses where incidents may occur across multiple locations,” says Charles Nguyen, Product Marketing Manager for Video, Audio and Analytics at Genetec. Connecting these systems can ease the workload for employees while also ensuring only essential personnel have access to this information.

Users want to know that video feeds are only being viewed by the organization they’re in, not an unknown third-party. This became an issue for Ring users, who discovered that non-security staff could access their home cameras. By combining video and access control, security leaders can monitor who has access to what data, and be alerted immediately if someone tries to gain unauthorized access.

In today’s world, where threats are increasingly multi-dimensional — spanning both physical and cyber domains — strategic surveillance is more critical than ever.

“Event-based alerts can also be configured within a VMS to provide instant notifications if criteria are met, such as restricted access attempts or unusual motion. Analytics may help teams identify unusual patterns. This could include alerts for crowd formations or abandoned objects. When an alarm is triggered, security teams have immediate access to relevant footage. Automation reduces the need for the constant monitoring of camera feeds so staff can focus on critical events,” says Nguyen.

By highlighting the ways in which an organization prioritizes safety over convenience, security leaders can help ease some of the fears around personal data. Additionally, a certain amount of visible security can place people on edge. In the retail space, customers may perceive “too much” security as an indicator that the store has been a victim of crime in the past. On the other hand, “too little” security may make them feel unprotected. The key is finding the right balance for an organization and its consumers.

When it comes to security, technology alone can’t be the only solution. A surveillance system is only as strong as the people who manage it.

"Strategic security surveillance shifts the focus from a product-centric approach to a process-driven model, employing a layered strategy to ensure comprehensive protection. To be truly effective, it must be integrated into an organization’s culture, operationalized so that teams are equipped to respond proactively, and enhanced by technology as a force multiplier for security personnel,” says Jim Traficant, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Citadel.

By focusing on security training, organizations can build a strategy designed to fill in the gaps of technology and personnel. Technology can catch human errors and reduce fatigue, while security officers provide essential judgement and decision-making that technology can’t replicate.

“In today’s world, where threats are increasingly multi-dimensional — spanning both physical and cyber domains — strategic surveillance is more critical than ever. Security is no longer just about safeguarding facilities; it’s about protecting data, people, and infrastructure holistically,” says Traficant.

As the threat landscape changes, so does the public’s perception of security. People want to feel safe without feeling like they’re being watched, meaning security leaders have to get creative to continue prioritizing security.