How Long Do I Need To Keep Video For Security?

One of the most common uses of  video cameras used in homes and businesses is security.   To observe criminal activity is the most obvious reason.  The second most is liability.   Accidents and negligence happen.  Insurance companies often want any video or photo records that will support your claim.

But, how long do you need to keep those videos and photos?  Many local storage systems only come with limited space.  Not only limited, but overwrite once the space is full.

The most common advice is 30 days, then let it go.  This is for "most" day-to-day video and photo captured on your cameras.  That's "IF" there's nothing of consequence that has been recorded. 

If there was some kind of activity caught on video of a crime or accident.   Really anything the police or an insurance company might use, then the specific files should be kept long enough to copy them.  After that, you might consider keeping the file(s) necessary to the issue for anywhere between 6 months to a year.  That will depend on the individual situation. 

So, if you are going to invest in any video recording system, one of the first things to consider is recording quality and that copies can be taken from the base storage device.

If the video quality is poor, it might be useless in supporting your case.  Then what was the point in recording to begin with?

If you can't copy or download from the storage base,  it's also useless.   You need to be able to share those things to have made it worth recording. 


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