Question about CCTV at work

[Morfinel]

I'm having argument with my boss and not sure what the law is around CCTV

He placed some Belkin Wireless cameras around the office, this camera are not cctv just normal web cam that he access from home through internet. They can rotate, not sure if he has option to record, but he can listen to office staff. When I complained this is not CCTV he pointed out it does say in the handbook this are for security and to monitor staff and approved by Peninsula. No information was given to me if image and sound is recorded and stored, my understanding is if there is a CCTV it must be recorded and stored for up to 30 days? and CC stand for closed-circuit but he uses domestic broadband to access image.
Can anyone shed some light on the topic?

 

[Psycho Sonny]

I'm having argument with my boss and not sure what the law is around CCTV

He placed some Belkin Wireless cameras around the office, this camera are not cctv just normal web cam that he access from home through internet. They can rotate, not sure if he has option to record, but he can listen to office staff. When I complained this is not CCTV he pointed out it does say in the handbook this are for security and to monitor staff and approved by Peninsula. No information was given to me if image and sound is recorded and stored, my understanding is if there is a CCTV it must be recorded and stored for up to 30 days? and CC stand for closed-circuit but he uses domestic broadband to access image.
Can anyone shed some light on the topic?

What's the difference between a wireless camera and CCTV?

Nothing in my eyes.

Also him using domestic broadband is of zero issue for accessing it. It's an internet connection regardless of business or domestic. They will be adequately protected in terms of encryption, passwords, etc.

Again sound being recorded is a non issue most cameras do this.

He's entitled to secure his premises and record his property. Especially if staff have access to cash, etc.

He has to register iirc if it's for business use. But you can Google all the details online regarding this as well as how long he can store recordings. I believe it's as long as deemed reasonably necessary.

 

[Yaayuh!]

My concern would be whether or not your boss can show that access to the camera and recording is secure.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

My concern would be whether or not your boss can show that access to the camera and recording is secure.

It's a belkin camera. A very reputable manufacturer associated with quality.

It will have features to be encrypted and password protected.

So your concern is that he may not have set them up with a password? I think that's a bit of a stretch at best sure it could happen but I'd bet against it.

 

[something daft already!!]

There have been internal cameras at my place of work for years. They caught a guy doing crack at work with them.

 

[Armageus]

https://ico.org.uk/media/1542/cctv-code-of-practice.pdf

 

[Yaayuh!]

It's a belkin camera. A very reputable manufacturer associated with quality.

It will have features to be encrypted and password protected.

So your concern is that he may not have set them up with a password? I think that's a bit of a stretch at best sure it could happen but I'd bet against it.

Are you sure it's all encrypted? Stream from camera, stream to remote view and access?
Who has access and is it audited?
Are the devices that have access secure?
Are there known vulnerabilities?
Is the system kept up to date?

Certainly something to question if they've chosen to use a company which isn't really known for CCTV. It sounds like they've thought "I know nothing about CCTV but I know the Belkin name".

 

[Psycho Sonny]

Are you sure it's all encrypted? Stream from camera, stream to remote view and access?
Who has access and is it audited?
Are the devices that have access secure?
Are there known vulnerabilities?
Is the system kept up to date?

Certainly something to question if they've chosen to use a company which isn't really known for CCTV. It sounds like they've thought "I know nothing about CCTV but I know the Belkin name".

Your right he's probably not too clued up. He went for cheap and easy installation rather than get pros in and use power over Ethernet.

As such his camera won't really be the best in terms of quality in both picture and sound.

Recording sound is cheeky within the workplace. Plenty of call centres record their calls though. But I'd be peeved about privacy aspect of the sound in this case only. Everything else I wouldn't really care about. Sure it's not great but unfortunately employees do take the Mick and even steal, etc. In fact in a couple of my previous workplaces staff were stealing from other staff from the cloakroom, etc going through pockets.

 

[Hades]

I don't really have a problem with video recording at work. You're at work so your employer can monitor the premises and your work. They are paying me to work so it's fair enough. I would be concerned about it being secure from hacking though. My employer has recorded everywhere for years. They got into a bit of hot water recently in the news when they introduced tracking software which monitored exactly what you were doing on the PC and for how long, with reports being sent to your manager. They had to remove it due to bad publicity although I don't think there was anything illegal about it. Mind you they also have monitors under the desks which were apparently intended to monitor hot desk occupancy but could again be used to track peoples working habits.

 

[Morfinel]

This is a quote from UK Gov website

Make sure the system is only used for the purpose it was intended for - for example, if it was set up to detect crime, you must not use it to monitor how much work your staff do

He is claiming its used for both, but how can you claim it's for security when image is not recorded. Not to mention there are no signs saying there is cctv in operation, when I pointed it out he ordered some on amazon straight away, I'm sure there must be a rules you need to follow when installing CCTV, and what you can and can't do. To me he just slapped few cameras around and called it a day. I don't think he even knows about ICO.

https://ico.org.uk/media/1542/cctv-code-of-practice.pdf

Thanks, will have a read.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

This is a quote from UK Gov website He is claiming its used for both, but how can you claim it's for security when image is not recorded. Not to mention there are no signs saying there is cctv in operation, when I pointed it out he ordered some on amazon straight away, I'm sure there must be a rules you need to follow when installing CCTV, and what you can and can't do. To me he just slapped few cameras around and called it a day. I don't think he even knows about ICO.


Thanks, will have a read.

How do you know that the image isn't recorded?

Cloud storage is common for wireless cameras. Or even sd cards inside them

 

[stockhausen]

Some years ago I read a story about an American Company where someone accessed and used the Corporate email account to circulate a notification that entry to the "Bathrooms" could only be achieved by using an individual's pass card which would need to be scanned by the door locks.

This information would be used to assess how much time people spent there. Additionally, stool samples would be used to test for drugs.

A massive investigation followed and the sender of the prank email was dismissed - probably apocryphal.

 

[Morfinel]

How do you know that the image isn't recorded?

Cloud storage is common for wireless cameras. Or even sd cards inside them

It's my guess, he ordered them online but without any other storage solution, but I can ask.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

If its not encrypted and within guidelines surely thats down to him, and a fine or whatever will fall on his head if found out.

What kind of workplace are we talking about here ?

 

[Morfinel]

If its not encrypted and within guidelines surely thats down to him, and a fine or whatever will fall on his head if found out.

What kind of workplace are we talking about here ?

One camera is in the office, one in break room, so if I'm on lunch and on a phone he can listen what I'm saying, and one in posting room, we have a warehouse but there are no cameras there.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

One camera is in the office, one in break room, so if I'm on lunch and on a phone he can listen what I'm saying, and one in posting room, we have a warehouse but there are no cameras there.

Okay this is a much better post.

I'd say that the one in the break room wouldn't sit well with me.

It should be outside pointed at the door IMO.

Could you suggest that as a better alternative location as you may want to phone your GP whilst on your break and wouldn't want private medical information being recorded accidentally.

 

[Loagi]

Where I work the cameras only monitor external access doors. When they were installed it was made 100% clear that HR and management have no access to the footage - only security.

 

[Morfinel]

We don't have security, only my boss have access to this cameras (I hope), and if we are having conversation in the office he will whatsapp telling us to stop.

Could you suggest that as a better alternative location as you may want to phone your GP whilst on your break and wouldn't want private medical information being recorded accidentally.

I did and he said it's facing the window for security reason it need to be there, when I mentioned it can record voice he just again mentioned you signed handbook and agreed to this. I have no problem with CCTV but when it's done by specialist not by him, I have no idea where and if its stored and who has access to it and when.

 

[NotAGolf]

We don't have security, only my boss have access to this cameras (I hope), and if we are having conversation in the office he will whatsapp telling us to stop.

Wow, your boss sounds terrible!

 

[montymint]

We don't have security, only my boss have access to this cameras (I hope), and if we are having conversation in the office he will whatsapp telling us to stop.

I did and he said it's facing the window for security reason it need to be there, when I mentioned it can record voice he just again mentioned you signed handbook and agreed to this. I have no problem with CCTV but when it's done by specialist not by him, I have no idea where and if its stored and who has access to it and when.

If you can I'd suggest looking for another employer.