Free Office CCTV Layout CCTV Design Tool
Offices want evidence without surveillance theatre. This layout uses discreet domes at choke points (reception, lifts, server room) and avoids open-plan watching — staff get more uneasy than safer when every desk is on camera.
8-20
Typical cameras
500-3,000 sqm
Typical area
Aesthetics: cameras must be unobtrusive
challenge
Recommended camera zones
| Zone | Camera type | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception | Dome | 1-2 | One overhead dome covering the desk and seating area, face-readable at 3 m. |
| Lift lobby / common area | Dome / Wide-Angle | 1-2 | Wide-angle dome capturing all lift doors and the corridor approach in one frame. |
| Server room / IT closet | Bullet / IR | 2-6 | One bullet at the door plus one dome inside watching the rack aisle — both with audio if regulations allow. |
| Loading bay / goods door | Bullet | 2-4 | Bullet outside reading deliveries, dome inside watching the pickup zone. |
| Open-plan zones (entries only) | Dome | 2-6 | One discreet dome at each open-plan entry point — coverage of who enters, not who works. |
Key challenges for
Aesthetics: cameras must be unobtrusive
Mini-domes and pinhole cameras in suspended ceilings keep the look clean. Bullets are out — they read as 'industrial' and reception complains within a week.
Access control overlap
Access-control logs tell you who entered, but only video tells you what they did. Place a camera covering each access-controlled door so badge-in events are visually verified.
Window glare in glass-fronted offices
Floor-to-ceiling glass blasts cameras with backlight from 9–11 am. Use True WDR ≥130 dB cameras and angle them off-axis to the window line, not parallel.
PoE+ for server-room cooling
Server rooms run 18–22°C; consumer cameras over-spec themselves and the IR LEDs cook out. Use industrial-grade cameras rated to 50°C continuous duty.
Pro tips for
Don't blanket open-plan with cameras — staff trust collapses faster than security improves.
Pair every access-controlled door with a camera; otherwise badge logs are circumstantial evidence at best.
Server-room cameras should record 60+ days — IT investigations often surface weeks late.
Use cameras with H.265 + smart codec — 4 MP at 25 fps over a 60-day retention window otherwise eats expensive storage.
Brief the works council / employee rep BEFORE installation — required by law in DE, FR, IT and many other EU markets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put cameras over employee desks?
Generally no, unless you can show concrete evidence-based justification (theft, harassment claim) and consult employee representatives. Continuous monitoring of work performance is forbidden in most EU markets and grey-zone in others.
How many cameras for a 1,000 sqm office?
Typically 8–14: 1 reception, 2–3 lobby/lifts, 1 server room, 1 loading dock, 2–4 perimeter, 2–4 entry points. Add 2 if you have a high-value lab or storage area.
Do I need audio recording?
Almost always no. Audio raises the legal bar significantly — most jurisdictions treat it as wiretapping unless explicitly disclosed and consented. Disable audio on every camera unless a specific legal basis exists.
Design your own layout in minutes
Drop cameras on a real map of your site, see real FOV cones, get a PDF site plan and BOM. Free forever, no credit card.