Not every security guard can become a CCTV operator as this job comes with its own requirements. As a CCTV operator, you protect the property, data, and people’s lives from the shadows. So what are the CCTV operator skills you must possess to initiate your career in the security industry?
Here, we will discuss essential surveillance operator skills to help you get the SIA CCTV licence.
Now be attentive and note down the vital points to work on!
What are the essential CCTV operator skills?
1. Knowledge of the latest CCTV security systems
The security industry keeps improving every passing day because of the increasing need for protection from harmful threats.
Criminals and offenders are always coming up with new strategies to defy the security measures to harm innocent civilians.
That’s why CCTV operators must do their best to have the best security systems installed and ready to protect the victims from any harm.
They need to learn about the latest surveillance systems and convey the information to their clients so they can enhance the security of their property.
2. Understanding of site layout
One of the most vital skills for a CCTV operator is to know the site map where they operate.
Security personnel make decisions based on the camera feeds and surveillance, so familiarity with the site layout is important.
What do you need to know?
- Exact locations of the cameras (It’s better to set camera IDs for precise location)
- Site knowledge
- Black spots (parts that might be hidden from the cameras)
- Strong communication with the mobile patrol officers
3. Visual examination techniques
Nowadays, CCTV systems can detect heat, motion, or crossing from security zones of an individual, but the complex decision making relies on a human analyzing the CCTV footage.
It makes the visual examination techniques the most dominant CCTV operator skill.
How can you detect incoming security threats?
- Examine the footage to know the differences from the last view
- Look for harmful materials, equipment, weapons, or even people
- Identify the abnormalities in the footage to locate the threats
- Track people’s behaviours and actions to find suspects
4. Behavioural Detection
A CCTV operator can detect suspicious and threatening activities from a camera only, meaning they need to be experts at behavioural detection.
By behaviours, we mean that a surveillance operator must understand the non-verbal cues to locate the emerging threats.
Posture
It tells a lot about the stance of an individual, like if they are – being offensive, defensive, nervous, or suspicious. Some examples are:
| Posture | Interpretation |
| Hands up | Defensive |
| Folded arms | Defensive |
| Shaking head | Defensive |
| Leaning forward | Aggressive |
| One leg forward | Aggressive |
| Tense | Aggressive |
| Quick movement | Nervous |
| Twitching around | Nervous |
| Rigid Walk | Suspicious |
| Stiff while turning around | Suspicious |
| Favoring a particular position | Suspicious |
Personal Space
People maintain a specific space while interacting with others, called personal space. Personal space helps with finding the relationship between the individuals.
- Spouse or family – <15cm (Spouse) | 15-45cm (Family)
- Personal – 46cm to 1.2m (Professional relationship)
- Social – 1.2m to 3.6m (Casual)
- Public – 3.6m+ (Strangers)
Eye Contact
Similar to posture, eye contact helps with understanding a behaviour too. Although it’s hard to know in CCTV footage, with the help of posture and personal space, you can determine eye contact.
Generally, people won’t have prolonged eye contact with some unknown person. So it can give you some idea if two or more people are up to something.
Gestures
People who are up to something suspicious may use gestures to convey their messages. Carefully evaluate the hand or finger signs to interpret the communication between them; social or cultural context may help you understand the situation.
5. Documentation and Reporting
If you are doing a security job in the UK, you need to deal with enormous reporting and documentation.
And a CCTV operator must prepare accurate inspection reports with other necessary paperwork.
Furthermore, they have to maintain an inventory of CCTV footage under confidentiality protocols.
6. Ability to make quick but calculated decisions
You might have to indulge in a situation yourself or, in some instances, may have to communicate to patrol officers to take action.
Quick and analytical thinking helps make calculated decisions to stop any harmful threats or attacks.
So it is mandatory for a CCTV operator to have strong analytical and critical evaluation skills.
7. Multitasking
The job of a CCTV operator can be very complex for people who find multitasking difficult. They perform various activities simultaneously, from monitoring people through cameras to taking action if a suspicious activity arises.
They have to be vigilant, focused, and physically healthy to overcome any obstacles that come in the way of the security of property and people.
What are some cues that can lead to threatening situations?
The following are a few things that you will need to look out for and analyze to prevent any security breaches where you’re working:
- A same vehicle passing the same entrance
- Someone taking pictures of security areas, which must be prohibited
- Taking notes or drawing something without permission
- Waiting for a long duration without a proper reason
- Asking many questions from security personnel about security systems and procedures
- Wrong delivery of packages
- Entrance in unauthorized areas, e.g., heating, venting, or electrical systems
How much a CCTV operator makes in the UK?
A career as a CCTV operator can be massively rewarding in the UK; you can expect to earn £11 per hour or more. And yearly, you can make up to £20,000 to £30,000 per annum.
Plus, it gives you a great sense of achievement every day because you work to protect the properties and lives of people.
What do you learn in an SIA CCTV Operator Course?
You can improve on various CCTV operator skills throughout your CCTV operator training course; some of the essential things you learn are:
- Control room operations
- Shift takeover and handover
- Communication with relevant security roles
- Incident response planning and management
- Body language and Observation skills training
- CCTV control room documentation and report writing
Where can I get the SIA CCTV operator training?
To get an SIA CCTV operator licence, you must possess CCTV operator skills. And, you can get those skills via CCTV operator course.
It’s a good day for you because we provide this training at our Agile Security Training centre.
You can sign up for a CCTV operator training course here for £195 only!
Bottom Line
So now, here you know the vital CCTV operator skills to be an excellent surveillance security guard.
The required skills are
- Knowledge of the latest security systems
- Understanding of the site map
- Visual examination techniques
- Behavioural detection
- Documentation and reporting
- Ability to make quick and calculated decisions
- Multitasking
Once you have those skills, any organization will be willing to pay you good money to be their reliable CCTV security guard.
Get enrolled in the Agile Security Training CCTV operator course to become an SIA licenced surveillance operator in the UK.
