Cloud-Based vs. On-Premise CCTV: What’s Right for Your Building?

Selecting the right video surveillance system is essential to your building’s overall security strategy. While camera quality matters, the real differentiators are how footage is stored, accessed, and maintained. Cloud-based and on-premise CCTV systems each offer unique benefits, and the best choice depends on your operational priorities, existing infrastructure, and available IT resources.

In this article, we break down key considerations like storage, accessibility, bandwidth, retention policies, and operational readiness to help you determine which solution aligns with your asset’s needs.

No One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Before diving into features and benefits, consider the bigger picture:

• Does your team have in-house IT support, or will you rely on a third party?
• Are there corporate policies that dictate how long footage must be retained?
• Who needs access to live or recorded footage—and how frequently?
• Is ease of use and scalability a priority?
• What’s the long-term maintenance strategy for the system?

The answers to these questions will help guide your selection.

Cloud-Based vs. On-Prem CCTV: Key Differences

At a high level, the main difference between cloud-based and on-prem systems is how and where footage is stored:

• On-Premise Systems store video locally—typically on a network video recorder (NVR)—and are accessed from devices within the local network.
• Cloud-Based Systems upload video to a remote cloud server, making it accessible from any internet-connected device via web browser.

On-Prem CCTV: Local Control, Higher Overhead

On-premise CCTV solutions involve installing hardware, such as NVRs, on-site to store video footage locally. These systems provide fast, direct access to footage from the local network, and they don’t rely on an internet connection for playback.

Pros:

• Quick Local Access: Because footage is stored on-site, there’s no dependency on the internet for immediate access, which makes viewing live and recorded footage faster.
• Full Control Over Data: On-prem solutions offer complete control over your data, ensuring greater security and privacy since it’s stored on-site.
• No Recurring Fees: Once hardware is installed, ongoing costs are limited to maintenance.

Cons:

• Limited Remote Access: You must typically be on site or on the local network to view the footage.
• Higher Upfront Costs: Servers, storage hardware, and setup require a larger initial investment.
• Maintenance Burden: System updates, patches, and hardware replacements fall on internal teams or third-party integrators.
• Single Point of Failure: If a local device fails, archived footage may be lost.

Cloud-Based CCTV: Scalability and Simplicity

Cloud CCTV solutions store video footage in remote cloud storage. This allows users to access footage from any device with internet access via a web browser.

• Scalability: Cloud solutions are highly scalable, making them ideal for organizations that anticipate growth or need flexibility. Adding new cameras or expanding storage is easy without requiring new physical infrastructure.
• Remote Access: Monitor assets in real-time from any location. This is particularly useful for multi-site organizations or businesses that require real-time remote monitoring.
• Automatic Updates and Maintenance: Cloud solutions are continuously updated, with the latest features and cybersecurity patches automatically applied. This reduces the burden on your operations team.
• Integrated Systems: Many platforms offer “single pane of glass” views that unify access control and video feeds in one dashboard.

Cons:

• Bandwidth Limitations: Cloud-based systems rely heavily on a stable and fast internet connection. Poor bandwidth can lead to lag or dropped footage, particularly with high-resolution cameras or large data storage needs.
• Ongoing Subscription Fees: Unlike on-prem solutions, cloud systems operate on a software subscription model. While this can lower upfront costs recurring SaaS charges are required for continued service. (Recurring costs can be offset with NOI from a Managed WiFi model.)
• Security Risks: Storing footage offsite with a third-party provider raises concerns about data security. This introduces the risk of hacking or unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Hybrid CCTV Solutions: The Best of Both Worlds?

For many organizations, a hybrid solution—a combination of on-prem and cloud storage—offers the best of both worlds. With a hybrid approach, certain cameras may store footage on-site, while others push recordings to the cloud. This setup offers the flexibility and scalability of the cloud while retaining some of the benefits of local storage.

Benefits:

• Flexibility: Hybrid systems allow businesses to choose the best solution for each area of their operations. For example, you can store critical footage on-site for easy access while using the cloud for less sensitive recordings.
• Redundancy: Hybrid solutions provide backup redundancy. If your cloud storage becomes inaccessible or the internet fails, on-prem storage ensures footage remains available.
• Bandwidth Management: With a hybrid system, you can manage bandwidth more efficiently by deciding which data should be sent to the cloud and which should remain locally stored, optimizing internet use.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Asset

When deciding between on-prem and cloud-based CCTV solutions, the choice ultimately depends on your building’s infrastructure, your security needs, and your long-term operational goals.

• On-prem solutions are ideal for organizations that require high levels of data control, prioritize quick local access, and have the resources to manage ongoing hardware maintenance.
• Cloud solutions are perfect for those who need scalability, remote access, “ease-of-use”, and an easy-to-manage, subscription-based model.
• Hybrid solutions offer flexibility for businesses that want a balance between local control and the benefits of cloud storage.

By understanding the key factors of video storage, export capabilities, and overall system needs, you can make an informed decision that best supports your building’s security strategy.

WhiteSpace Can Help

At WhiteSpace, we help owners and operators navigate the complexities of building technology—especially when it comes to video surveillance and electronic security. Whether you need an on-prem solution, a cloud-based deployment, or a hybrid model, we’ll design a CCTV solution aligned with your operations, risk profile, and long-term goals.

From infrastructure planning to vendor selection and commissioning, we help you make smart, future-ready decisions that keep your people and assets secure.

Need help determining the right approach? Let’s talk.