BS 7958:2015 Closed Circuit Television

BS 7958:2015 was published in August 2015 replacing BS 7958:2009 and is the British Standard for the operation and management of CCTV within a controlled environment, where data that might be offered as evidence is received, stored, reviewed or analysed. This standard applies to the monitoring and management of public spaces, including automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and traffic enforcement cameras.

For control rooms whose operation falls within the scope of other British Standards (e.g. BS 7499 and BS 5979 or BS 8591), all of the security requirements, both physical and procedural, of the relevant British Standard remain applicable.

The standard can be used as a management framework for ensuring best practice in all aspects of management and operation of CCTV systems. It includes guidance on working conditions, appropriate use of equipment, the management of recorded information, and legal considerations including privacy and disclosure. Closed circuit television (CCTV) schemes provide the public with added reassurance that the environment in which they have the ‘right to visit’ is safe and protected. However it is crucial for the public to have confidence that surveillance cameras are being used to protect and support them, rather than spy on them. The government considers that wherever overt surveillance in public places is used it shall be in pursuit of a legitimate aim and meets a pressing need.

BS 7958 is applicable to CCTV schemes used in public places, these areas include but are not limited to:

• Areas where the public are encouraged to enter or have a right to visit, such as town centres, shopping malls, public transport, health establishments, etc.
• Schemes that overlook a public place, such as traffic monitoring schemes
• Private schemes where a camera view includes a partial view of a public place 

This Standard takes due regard of the 12 guiding principles of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice alongside the Information Commissioner’s CCTV Code of Practice and all relevant Data Protection Legislation. For a public space CCTV System to be in use an Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence is required The SIA definition for use of CCTV in a public space is as follows:

• Monitor the activities of a member of the public in a public or private place;
• Identify a particular person;
• Guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others

Please Note: A reduced cost combined SCC-COP + BS 7958:2015 audit is now available. Please get in touch to find out more information about this offer.