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CCTV storage: how long and how much
By David Otieno, Senior ICT Consultant 1 min read
Retention period, resolution, frame rate, compression and recording mode determine storage needs. Calculate before buying.
CCTV recorders fill up. Running out of storage means losing the footage you need.
Decide retention
How many days must footage be kept? Consider how quickly incidents are usually discovered and your data protection obligations.
Factors that drive storage
- Number of cameras.
- Resolution and frame rate.
- Compression (H.265 is more efficient than H.264).
- Continuous or motion-based recording.
- Scene activity.
Calculate
Use the manufacturer's bitrate figures or calculators, then add headroom.
Protect recordings
Use RAID or redundant storage, keep the recorder on a UPS, and secure access.
Delete on schedule
Keep footage only as long as needed, unless it is evidence in an investigation.
See our CCTV systems.
About the author
David Otieno
Senior ICT Consultant
David Otieno writes about cybersecurity, physical security systems, power resilience and running IT reliably day to day.