Live Video Surveillance: Ensuring Compliance in Regulated Industries

Trying to play “catch-up” with regulators? Sick of scrambling to pass a compliance audit?

Sound familiar? If you’re in a regulated industry, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

Regulated industries have a unique problem. Not only do they face the world’s strictest compliance standards, but those standards and the accompanying regulations are constantly changing and evolving.

Industries like healthcare, financial services, manufacturing… you name it.

To make matters worse, just because a system can be set up for compliance does NOT mean it runs 24/7. Compliance requires continuous, around-the-clock systems.

Unless you’re running around clocking your employees.

Fortunately for you…there’s another way.

Live video surveillance services are revolutionizing the way businesses stay compliant. Better yet, these solutions are making compliance easier than ever.

In This Guide:

• Why Regulated Industries Need Live Video Surveillance
• The Compliance Benefits of Video Monitoring
• Key Industries Using Live Surveillance for Compliance
• How to Implement Video Surveillance the Right Way

Why Regulated Industries Need Live Video Surveillance

One thing is for sure. When it comes to compliance, regulated industries aren’t getting any “breaks”.

Miss your annual audit? You can expect huge fines and penalties, not to mention legal issues and possibly even suspension or revocation of your license to operate.

You can prevent these kinds of outcomes with a live video surveillance services solution.

Live video surveillance is a security system that captures continuous video footage in real time of whatever is going on in a specific location. This is the key. Everything is recorded. All actions. All processes. All potential violations.

Live surveillance is to traditional compliance audits like Netflix is to Blockbuster.

Here’s how…

Traditional compliance was done with periodic audits and manual documentation processes. So basically “waiting to fail” until it’s too late.

Live video surveillance provides continuous monitoring and documentation that lets you catch violations before they become violations.

One report by Intenseye showed companies using AI-based monitoring platforms reported a 90% reduction in safety hazards within six months of implementation. That’s not an incremental improvement. That’s a total revolution.

The Compliance Benefits of Video Monitoring

Live video surveillance is more than just a recording tool. These systems are at the heart of many compliance efforts. By installing a live video surveillance system, businesses can use real-time video monitoring to power their compliance processes 24/7.

Documentation and Evidence

Documentation is king when it comes to compliance. One of the best things about video surveillance is that it automatically creates a timestamped video record of any and all activity. During audits, many regulators require the ability to view this footage as proof that proper procedure was followed.

No more hunting down paperwork. No more relying on employee recollections. When auditors ask, the video footage will show exactly what happened, when it happened, and who was there.

Real-Time Violation Detection

Now for the fun part…

Live video surveillance services are now using AI-driven video analytics to identify when violations occur in real time. Systems can be configured to detect if someone accesses an unauthorized area, doesn’t follow proper safety procedures, or mishandles equipment.

This isn’t just about catching people in the act. The real value comes from this type of system catching things before they become violations that lead to fines or worse.

Employee Accountability

One big benefit of being on camera is the accountability it instills. If people know they’re being watched, they’re more likely to follow the rules. It’s not because they’re distrusted. It’s because when cameras are present, following protocol becomes second nature.

Research has shown that 93% of frontline workers reported feeling safer with AI-based video monitoring in their place of work. Safety culture improves, morale goes up, and everyone wins.

Key Industries Using Live Surveillance for Compliance

All regulated industries are unique and require different kinds of compliance. But live video surveillance systems benefit every regulated industry.

Healthcare

Healthcare facilities are under enormous regulatory pressure to keep patients and staff safe. Video surveillance can monitor storage areas for medications and medical supplies, track entry to sensitive patient rooms, and make sure staff are following proper sanitation practices.

Patient safety relies on proper adherence to protocol, and live surveillance is one way healthcare facilities ensure this.

Systems can also track unauthorized access to patient records and medications, creating a complete audit trail when auditors come knocking.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing environments are filled with heavy machinery, often with hazardous materials in play. These facilities need surveillance to monitor production lines for safety issues, track use of machinery, and document that safety protocols are in place.

Compliance with OSHA and other safety standards isn’t just a matter of avoiding fines. It’s a matter of preventing injuries.

New AI-based video monitoring can automatically detect if workers are not wearing the proper safety equipment and alert managers before an accident occurs.

Financial Services

Financial institutions are under some of the most intense regulatory scrutiny of any industry. Video surveillance can provide evidence of secure cash handling procedures, access to sensitive areas, and audit trails to satisfy regulator demands.

Anti-money laundering regulations in financial institutions require extensive documentation to support all transactions. Video footage provides this documentation by showing who was present for each transaction.

Pharmaceuticals

Drug manufacturing requires specific, stringent documentation of every step of the production process. Pharmaceutical companies use live surveillance to create a chain of evidence that product was produced according to FDA requirements.

Violations like contamination can be traced through video to determine exactly what went wrong and when.

How to Implement Video Surveillance the Right Way

Live video surveillance is great. But not all surveillance systems are created equal, and compliance-conscious businesses need to choose carefully.

Camera Placement is Key

Coverage of the right areas is critical. Placement of cameras should cover entry points, work areas, storage spaces, and anywhere that violations could conceivably occur.

Placement of cameras, of course, must be balanced with privacy requirements. Restrooms, locker rooms, and employee break areas are out of bounds.

Integration with Existing Infrastructure

The best live video surveillance services can integrate with access control systems, alarm systems, and other compliance management software. This approach creates a seamless environment where all security and compliance data can talk to each other.

Storage and Retention

How long must businesses retain video? Some say “forever”. When it comes to regulated industries, that’s not far off.

Different industries and even different regulators have specific retention requirements for documentation and video. Some healthcare records have very specific storage and retention schedules. The same is true in finance and other regulated industries.

Storage and retention policies must be carefully reviewed, and the surveillance system must be configured to meet these strict requirements.

Staff Training

Installing cameras is just one piece of the puzzle. Staff must be trained and informed as to why the system is in place and how it benefits compliance efforts.

Training and transparency are key to building trust with the system and ensuring everyone works toward compliance goals.

Making Live Surveillance Work for Compliance

Here’s the thing.

Live video surveillance services are no longer just about “security”.

Video surveillance has become an integral compliance component for regulated industries. They provide the real-time monitoring, automatic documentation, and immediate alerts that compliance is all about.

The technology has come a long way. Video analytics can now automatically identify violations. Cloud-based services can provide real-time access to video from anywhere. Integration with other security and compliance systems is a must.

For businesses in regulated industries, the question isn’t if they need live video surveillance. It’s how soon can they get it operational.

Companies that take advantage of these new tools put themselves in a position to outpace and outperform their competition.

Instead of worrying about the latest compliance requirements and audits, you can spend your time and resources on your core business activities.

Now that’s a win worth playing for.

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