Security cameras are critical for businesses to ensure the safety of life and property. However, in some cases, suspicions arise that recordings are missing, deleted, or deliberately tampered with. So, how can you tell if a security camera recording has been deleted?
Check Record Continuity
Cameras must record continuously at specific time intervals. If there are unusual gaps between recordings, this may indicate a recording tampering attempt. For example:
There is a record between 13:00 and 13:10, but caution should be exercised if the period between 13:10 and 13:40 is missing.
Examine Device Logs
Most NVR (Network Video Recorder) or DVR devices record system activity in log files. These logs provide the following information:
Which user logged in when?
Which record was deleted?
Has the system been rebooted?
Has the disc been removed?
Deletions are often clearly visible in these logs.
Review User Permissions
The permissions of users who have access to cameras should be reviewed. If all users have administrative permissions, it becomes impossible to track who is doing what. As a company, we should:
Each user should be given only the necessary authorization.
User activities should be monitored regularly.
Check Storage Space
If you notice a sudden capacity drain on your storage device (hard drive, NAS, SD card), this could indicate data deletion. For example:
If a 1TB drive was 90% full yesterday and shows 10% full today, that's a red flag.
Check Automatic Deletion Settings
Some systems may have automatic loop recording enabled. This feature automatically deletes the oldest recordings when the disk is full. However, this feature:
If configured incorrectly, it may result in the loss of important images.
Therefore, critical records should be backed up regularly.
Expert Supervision and Backup
Determining whether records have actually been deleted sometimes requires technical expertise. Therefore:
Support should be obtained from an expert technical team.
Critical camera recordings should be backed up to external disks or cloud systems.
In conclusion
If you suspect your security camera's recordings have been deleted, you should first check the device logs, recording continuity, and storage areas. Intentional deletion often leaves a trace. Only authorized and monitored users should be allowed access to cameras, and recordings should be reviewed regularly.
