Uses of Hidden Cameras

Oftentimes when setting up a CCTV system, concern of whether or not to use hidden surveillance cameras arises. When should you choose to install an unseen camera instead of an out-in-the-open one? You might already know that putting a camera where would-be criminals can see it could serve as a good deterrent against illegal acts, but how should a hidden camera be used? Let’s investigate.

Hidden cameras are most useful in a situation where you wanted to film someone behaving badly, with the intent to identify that person as the wrong do-er. In this scenario, hidden cameras are installed after the fact and identifying who it was is more desirable than preventing further losses. For example, if you are fairly certain that someone has been taking money from the lock box at work, it would be of great use to law enforcement in convicting the person (if they indeed exist) to have a visual representation of them. You might even find it's not just one person!

A good example of a situation in which to make use of a hidden camera is to monitor your home or kids when you're not there. One popular use of this is a "nanny cam". Nanny cams are often put inside objects around the house and are used by parents to spy on baby sitters and to make sure their children are safe in their care. It's good to make note of the fact that this is highly illegal in some countries and certain states in the US. Check with your government before using a camera in this way.

One more every-day (and kind of funny) application of hidden cameras is for catching cheating lovers. In my opinion, if you get to the point where you're spying on your husband or wife with a hidden camera, you shouldn't even be together. But that's just my two cents. This use has nothing to do with security so we’ll leave it at that.

To sumarrize, hidden cameras are used to observe people breaking the law or to observe the natural behavior of someone when nobody else is around. This differs significantly from traditional CCTV setups, which serves to act as a deterrent first and foremost and a method of recording activities in an area second. You wouldn't put a hidden camera in your parking lot so you can see exactly who stole your car, would you? Of course not. You'd want an obvious camera right there on the door to prevent the theft from ever happening.