CCTV only improves security if it’s designed, powered, and monitored correctly. Many sites install cameras, then discover blind spots, poor night video, or missing recordings when an incident happens. This guide shows estates, offices, and factories in Kaduna, Abuja, and Lagos how to plan a CCTV system that delivers usable evidence and stronger deterrence.

1) Start with the purpose (and KPIs)

Decide what you need the system to do:

• Deterrence: Visible cameras/signage at gates and car parks.

• Detection: Line-crossing/loitering analytics on perimeter and entrances.

• Investigation: Clean, time-synced recordings with clear faces/plates.

KPIs to track: % cameras healthy (≥98%), days of footage retained, incidents resolved with video, average retrieval time (<10 minutes).

2) Map coverage by risk, not aesthetics

Prioritise zones with real exposure:

1. Entrances & exits (vehicles + pedestrians)

2. Perimeter corners and long fence runs

3. Car parks and approaches

4. Cash/asset areas, loading bays, server/fuel rooms

5. Reception and lift lobbies

Produce a simple coverage map: camera name → exact scene → goal (face, plate, overview).

3) Choose the right camera for the scene

• Fixed bullet/dome: For entrances and choke points; consistent angle.

• Varifocal: Fine-tune field of view to avoid “wide but useless” frames.

• PTZ (selective): Use sparingly for active monitoring or large yards, never as a substitute for fixed coverage.

• Low-light/IR & WDR: For night scenes and mixed lighting (gatehouses, glass lobbies).

• Thermal (optional): Detect humans at night on long perimeters; pair with a visible camera for identification.

Rule of thumb: Design for identification at entrances (face/plate), recognition in corridors, and detection on long perimeters.

4) Get lighting right (your night video depends on it)

• Provide uniform lighting on approaches and car parks; avoid bright hotspots and deep shadows.

• Use full-cutoff fixtures to reduce glare and lens flare.

• Supplement IR with modest white light at key points (entrances, turnstiles) for colour details at night.

5) Power & uptime: plan for outages

• UPS/inverter on NVRs, core switches, and key cameras to ride through short cuts.

• Generator integration with automatic switchover; test monthly.

• Put power budgets on paper (camera watts × quantity + NVR/switch draw) and size backup accordingly.

• Label all low-voltage runs and keep a one-page power diagram in the control room.

6) Network design that scales

• Use VLANs to isolate CCTV from office traffic.

• Home-run critical cameras to PoE switches near the control room; use outdoor-rated cable and surge protection.

• For large sites, distribute PoE at IDF cabinets and uplink with fibre.

• Enable QoS for video streams; avoid daisy-chaining cheap switches.

7) Storage & retention that match policy

• Define retention (e.g., 30–90 days). Size disks based on resolution, FPS, bitrate, and camera count.

• Prefer H.265/H.265+ with scene-based encoding to save space.

• Keep time sync via NTP across NVRs and cameras; wrong timestamps ruin evidence.

• Consider RAID or mirrored NVRs for critical areas; document replacement procedures.

8) Monitoring & response (the part most sites skip)

• Decide who watches which feeds and when (e.g., gate + perimeter overnight).

• Use smart alerts (line-crossing, intrusion, loitering) for perimeter and after-hours zones; tune sensitivity to reduce false alarms.

• Maintain a Video Review Log: date/time, camera, clip link, action taken, escalation result.

• Tie alerts to a radio/WhatsApp/PTT protocol so guards actually respond.

9) Governance: names, labels, and logs

• Standardise camera names: Gate-A-PEDESTRIAN, Perim-NW-01, Carpark-L2-NE.

• Maintain a CCTV Health Sheet: cameras online %, disks OK, last firmware update.

• Control room checklist (AM/PM): screens on, NVR recording, time sync OK, random clip download test.

10) Budget tiers that work

• Tier 1 (Essential): Entrances/exits, reception, car park approaches, server/fuel room.

• Tier 2 (Coverage): Perimeter corners, long fence runs, internal corridors.

• Tier 3 (Enhancements): Analytics, LPR/ANPR at vehicle gates, thermal on long perimeters, remote viewing for managers.

Roll out in phases, start where incidents actually happen.

Common mistakes (and easy fixes)

• Too wide a view: Faces/plates unreadable → tighten FOV or add a second camera.

• IR bounce/glare: Clean domes, adjust IR power, fix lighting angles.

• No retention: Disks undersized → recalc bitrate and adjust policy.

• No one watching: Add alerts + post orders and test weekly.

• Messy racks: Label, tidy, and document; it halves troubleshooting time.

How NetHawk helps

• Design & install: Site survey, coverage plan, camera specs, and clean cabling.

• Power continuity: UPS/inverter sizing, generator integration, switchover tests.

• Monitoring playbooks: Who watches what, when, and how to respond.

• Monthly health checks: Uptime, storage, firmware, and random evidence drills.

FAQs: CCTV in Nigeria

Q1: How many days of storage do we need?
Most estates/offices choose 30–60 days; sensitive sites go to 90. Balance risk, cost, and retrieval needs.

Q2: Should we use 4K cameras everywhere?
Not necessary. Use high-resolution at entrances and critical zones; standard 1080p elsewhere to save bandwidth and storage.

Q3: Can we mix brands?
Yes, but ensure ONVIF compatibility and test features (analytics, events) with your NVR/VMS first.

Q4: Do we need PTZ cameras?
Only where someone actively monitors and can steer them. Fixed cameras provide reliable, constant coverage.

Call to Action

Need a clean, evidence-ready CCTV plan? Book a Free Site Assessment with NetHawk. We’ll map coverage, size your power/storage, and hand you a phased rollout plan that fits your budget.

• Kaduna Office: +234 (0) 906 7879 766

• Email: info@nethawksolutions.org

• Related services: Guarding · Access Control · UAV Patrols · Journey Management