Whether deleted security camera recordings can be recovered depends on several factors:
1. The Type of Deletion Matters
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Superficial Deletion: If the deletion was performed using only the system interface on the recording device (NVR/DVR), the data may still be physically present on the disk. In this case, it can be recovered with professional data recovery software.
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Low-Level Formatting: If the device has been completely reset or the disk has been formatted, the chances of recovery are lower, but some results can still be achieved at professional data recovery centers.
2. Whether New Data Has Been Written on the Disk
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If the deleted data has not been overwritten with new data, the possibility of recovery is higher.
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However, if the system continued to operate and the disk was cyclically filled with new records, the old data would have been physically deleted and recovery might not be possible.
3. Will it be obvious in the reviews that it has been deleted?
Yes, this can be detected by:
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System Logs: The deletion process leaves a trace in the logs, regardless of the user and the date and time it was performed.
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Time Lapse: If there are unusual gaps in video recording times, this will attract attention.
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Disk Activity: Sometimes, actions such as formatting the system, changing the disk, or creating a new user can also be monitored.
4. Digital Forensics Intervention
If an incident involves a forensic process and the recordings are critical, digital forensics experts can step in and conduct an in-depth analysis of the disk. During this process, the following can be done:
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Recovering deleted data
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Detection of record manipulation
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A detailed record of user activities can be made.
In summary:
Deleted security camera recordings can sometimes be recovered. However, this depends on how they were deleted, whether new data was written to the disk, and the timing. Upon review, the deleted recordings and the responsible user can often be clearly identified.
