Technology Used In Surveillance - Essay Example

Surveillance technology In this rapidly expanding world, issues regarding security are giving rise to surveillance technology systems (Lee, 2008:139). As activities of random violence increase, the sphere of freedom is contracting regardless is whether an office, home, a retail store, or a public institution. Electronic surveillance technology has finally caught up with the expanding demand for innovative and advanced surveillance technology products which include the digital video recorders, panning, tilting cameras, wireless nanny cams, hidden spy cameras, and full fledged motion activated network among other surveillance systems that are keeping a close eye on all suspicious activities and movements within the society. That respect warrants this essay a critical outlook into the evolution, merits, and demerits of spy cameras as type of surveillance technology. Additionally, this paper will also seek to give a recommendation on the way future of this subject. Evolution of spy cameras as a surveillance technology The evolution of spy cameras and its incorporated technologies is an important topic that examines the state of surveillance technology and its impacts on the modern society. The tumultuous history of technologies associated with spy cameras has its origin rooted in the 16th century and stretches all the way to the present generation whereby it shifted from facto disciplinary practice to a real time practice revolving around security and conveniences it offers to its participants. Spy cameras evolved in three basic stages namely, daguerreotype, film, and digital photographic spy cameras. Daguerreotype was a truly successful stage of spy cameras since photographers used copper plates coated with iodine whereby it used this combination to produce silver iodide upon sensing light. Daguerreotype photography entered the United States during the time of Civil War whereby technical fighters used it as an investigative tool. (Heir and Greenberg, 2007:217). Even though the Federal Bureau of investigation did not exist during the time of President Lincoln, documented evidence shows that, security officers used daguerreotype as a form of surveillance technology in crime scene investigation. With spy cameras came in telephone calls which aided in taking surveillance technology into the following stage. Surveillance technology shows, the introduction of telephone accounts for a big margin in this subject as it led to wire-tapping where one could listen to a telephone conversation between other people. Year 1945 witnessed a major shift as wire and tape recorders became available (Tavani, 2010:142). In 1965, police started installing surveillance cameras in major cities with the aim catching suspected illegal activities which later spread to become the closed circuit television system (Kruegle, 2007:77). As technology continued spreading, it became anonymous, automatic, ubiquitous, and decentralized. Today, closed circuit television networks are paving way for smarter digital cameras and DVR based surveillance gadgets that are providing clearer images and wider visual fields due to their tilting, panning, zooming effects. Given their size and flexibility, participants can easily install and network them with desktops, laptops, televisions, as well as the internet. Merits of spy cameras As elaborated, smart digital cameras are small and sleek in universality. As such, anyone can install them anywhere. This makes it possible and convenient for the holder to view images better and gives greater ease and control of the gadget. By use of the latest surveillance technology, a shopkeeper or homeowner can use a remote to control installed cameras in these respective locations and keep on checking presence of any suspicious moving objects with clear visual images through zooming and recording facilities. Due to intense research, innovation, and development on surveillance technology, it is possible for security personnel to detect concealed weapons on individuals especially women using infrared devices specially designed to locate illegal substances such as firearms and drugs (Lyon, 2007:57). As a result, surveillance technology is minimizing drug trafficking and counteracting on trade in illegal firearms. People can see the prominence of surveillance technology in its importance due to integration of these services into digital technology. For instance, when closed circuit television systems first premiered into digital technology in the 21st century, it led to introduction of digital video recorders. The rise, introduction, and use of digital video recorders enhanced the use of surveillance technology where users could use these devices to store and retrieve video footage. With recorded video, footage holders can use desktop PCs to access recorded video footage in a digital video recorder (Godfrey, 2009:151). These gadgets are efficient and flexible as they can store video sequences when motion or other predefined events take place. On request, the participants can program a digital video recorder to store specific information at designated periods. The cost of operating surveillance technology products like the spy cameras is low since the expenses associated with operating a smart camera or videotapes are low. This is because, digital storage media have an almost unlimited lifetime, and the owners do not have to remember to switch on and off videotapes or street cameras. In addition, surveillance technology gadgets are automatic and remote controlled. This happens since digital technology makes it possible to automatically monitor and analyze video footage and cameras. This factor, in conjunction with others such as to monitor multiple sites simultaneously remotely, realizes significant cost savings in respect to labor and leads to improved constituency and quality of work in progress (Winston and Edelbach, 2011:197). With digital surveillance technology, migration from one type of tool to another becomes easier. For example, since digital video recorders support analogue cameras, it is easy and convenient to integrate it with existing analogue systems as they allow easy and cost effective migration. Furthermore, data retrieval has become easy. Due to surveillance technology, there is no more screening through hours of videotape in order to locate a single frame. However, by utilizing digital spy cameras, it is easy for users to retrieve video footage instantly, rapidly by searching for video sequences by factors like time, date, location, alarm activation, and camera using highly sophisticated technologies for mining data. Advanced surveillance technology in spy cameras has led to higher image quality. Digitalized spy cameras are superior even in highly complicated sites and they can take quality images in different locations such as in water, darkness, and at mute angles (Godfrey, 2009:171). Hence, users can store these sharp and crisp images and view them for a long time without deterioration or degradation. These services made possible surveillance technology makes it safer and easier to keep track of what is going on in other parts of interest even with our absence. Spy cameras enhance safety in our societies. Sensor and surveillance technologies makes it possible for law enforces and corrections officers to keep a close eye and listen to or otherwise safeguard locations by monitoring activities taking place in a building or street. The officers facilitate security measures by use of spy cameras that can view concealed weapons on individuals or luggage, audio and video receivers and recorders, video cameras and closed circuit television systems, heartbeat detectors, and motion detectors among others. Surveillance technology has led to decreased level of crime and criminology in major cities (Coleman and McCahill, 2011:211). Counter terrorist police can incorporate spy cameras and other advanced surveillance technology devices to see through walls and into enclosed spaces to locate and track concealed persons. As such, issues to do with human trafficking, illegal immigration, and cross border refuge are drastically reducing due to introduction of radar flashlights that can detect breathing and other vital signs. In addition, presence of thermal imaging and night vision devices that can detect infrared radiation or heat are imperatively enhancing security in different countries. Disadvantages of spy cameras Due to increased population and lose value practices among some individuals, incidences of economic, social, and environmental crisis are on the rise. Incidences of violence and crime are persisting even within the availability and visibility of spy cameras and security officers some criminals do not feel deterred to commit their vices. Some tenants cannot afford to hire private security guards even if these sentinels cannot manage to secure a big place. Currently, the trend is to carry out security installation surveillance equipments in separate strategic places in either a building or a house and in other security risk locales. Surveillance technology employs instruments that can detect and record what is taking place in a particular area. Users install spy cameras secretly hence are not visible to the public. As a result, they bring disadvantages such as privacy invasion (Wang, 2011:27). Instruments such as the closed circuit television cameras view activities and movements of people without their knowledge and consent. It is therefore, brewing controversies as most people are against it. In addition, closed circuit television cameras are ineffective strategy of spying. This is so because, if an offender is aware of its presence, it is not possible to catch him or her since the device is stationery or steady and therefore can simply evade passing in front of the camera. Moreover, if there is an object between the camera and the targeted site, it is impossible to record anything due to signal interference. A closed circuit television becomes useless the moment it scratches. This leads to wastage of money or capital. Another disadvantage associated with surveillance technology is that, it uses a wiretap. It is not easy or possible for the public to see a wiretap since users install them secretly (Lyon, 2007:71). This strategy threatens privacy of the public and can eventually cause court cases. Surveillance technology devices have limitations that render the ineffective. When the subject is out of range, it becomes useless, as the user cannot hear the message due to audibility problems. In summary, the incorporation of digital technology by the security and surveillance industry is actually an inevitable and natural progression. Due to superior image quality and ease with which one can process an image is leading to the adoption of digital technology for photography, broadcasting, work, and home video recording. As elaborated, the world is becoming a secure place for everyone since law enforcers can easily detect using infrared radiations illegal substances cognitively hidden far beyond recognition. Carrying firearms illegally is old news, as security officers will only need particular types of surveillance technology instruments to detect and snap such items despite their location. Apart from this relieving good news of safety, surveillance technology has also presented some challenges such as invasion of privacy and wastage of money (House of Lords, 2009:26). Some of its instruments are ineffective as their services are not accurate. With that sense, this paper finds it necessary to recommend that, for improved surveillance technology, organizations and governments should encourage intense research in this field in order to come up with more advanced surveillance technology gadgets. Bibliography Coleman, R. and McCahill, M. 2011. Surveillance and crime. London: SAGE Publications. Godfrey, J. 2009. How to use your readings in your essays. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan Hier, S. and Greenberg, J. (eds), 2007. The Surveillance Studies Reader. Berkshire: OUP House of Lords. 2009. Surveillance: Report, Volume 1. Norfolk: The Stationery Office. Kruegle, H. 2007. CCTV Surveillance: Analog and Digital Video Practices And Technology. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Lee, T. 2008. Military Technologies of the World, Volume . Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. Lyon, D. 2007. Surveillance studies: an overview. Cambridge: Polity Press. Tavani, H. 2010. Ethics and Technology: Controversies, Questions, and Strategies for Ethical Computing. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Wang, H. 2011. Protecting Privacy in China: A Research on Chinas Privacy Standards and the Possibility of Establishing the Right to Privacy and the Information Privacy Protection Legislation in Modern China. New York: Springer. Winston, M. and Edelbach, R. 2011. Society, Ethics, and Technology. Ohio: Cengage Learning. Read More