A camera system is also an information system
Recorded video can contain identifiable personal information. The responsibilities around collection, access, use, disclosure, retention, and deletion therefore matter as much as camera resolution or storage capacity.
A written policy gives councils, managers, residents, and service providers a shared operating reference.
Control access and footage requests
Not every council member, resident, or contractor should automatically have system access. Define authorized roles, approval steps, export handling, and a process for responding to footage requests.
- Named roles rather than shared accounts
- Strong credentials and removal of former users
- A documented reason for each export
- Secure transfer and deletion of exported files
- A consistent retention schedule
Assign maintenance responsibility
Someone should be responsible for checking recording status, camera views, timestamps, storage health, remote access, and incident export. Without scheduled verification, failures may remain unnoticed until footage is needed.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Strata organizations should review current BC requirements and obtain advice appropriate to their circumstances.
Scheduled security system maintenance and support can provide the technical checks needed to support the responsibilities assigned in the property's operating policy.
Use an annual governance review
At least once a year, compare the written policy with actual system use. Review authorized accounts, camera locations, retention settings, vendor access, signage, maintenance records, and whether the original security purpose is still current.
Operational and legal requirements can change, so the review should confirm current guidance rather than relying only on the original installation documents.
Further reading
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