A security camera is a camera which is used to monitor an area for security purposes. The footage from the camera may be reviewed continuously to look for potential security breaches, or examined after the fact in the hopes of getting a glimpse of a criminal or a situation. There are a number of different environments in which a security camera can be used, and security cameras have grown increasingly common in many parts of the world. Some privacy advocates have raised concerns about the proliferation of security cameras.
In some cases, a security camera is simply a static camera which is frozen in position and mounted in plain sight. Other cameras can be remotely operated to pan an area for more information, and some are hidden so that people are unaware of their presence. Signs indicating the presence of surveillance cameras are commonly posted around security cameras.
One of the classic uses of a security camera is in retail security. Retail stores are prone to theft, and using security cameras can sometimes act as a deterrent to would-be criminals. The cameras can also be monitored for signs of suspicious behavior, or the footage can be evaluated after a theft to learn more about the perpetrator. Retail cameras can also increase the coverage of the floor, reducing the number of clerks on duty by allowing one person to see into every corner of the store.