Constantly, there is an emergence of numerous technologies promising to revolutionise video surveillance. With this, solutions such as direct-to-cloud CCTV camera systems are capturing significant market attention as we navigate 2025. This is particularly the case among companies that are seeking to reduce on-premise infrastructure.
Before diving deeper, it's important to understand the fundamental architectural difference between two distinct cloud-managed camera approaches:
Direct-to-camera technologies embed recording capabilities within the cameras themselves, which connect directly to cloud management platforms. There are no separate recording devices, as each camera handles its own recording.
Cloud-managed VMS solutions provide a more flexible approach, supporting either dedicated recording servers/appliances connected to standard IP cameras or can be combined with standalone cloud-managed cameras, all unified through cloud management.
1. Is "No Recording Hardware or Servers On-Site" Actually Right for Your Organisation?
Vendors in the direct-to-camera space promote compelling benefits such as no NVRs (Network Video Recorders), DVRs (Digital Video Recorders), or servers and may tout that all you need is a PoE connection. These claims sound revolutionary, but before committing to these platforms, there are critical questions your business should investigate.
It is common for direct-to-cloud camera vendors to aggressively target businesses with the appealing promise of eliminating on-site recording infrastructure and thus saving money upfront. Before proceeding, you should consider:
Will you need to completely replace your existing camera infrastructure, even if it's functioning well?
What is the true cost of discarding your current hardware investment to adopt a proprietary cloud business CCTV ecosystem?
Are there alternatives that would allow you to leverage existing infrastructure while still gaining cloud management benefits?
Have you calculated the total bandwidth consumption across all cameras during peak operations?
Have you confirmed whether the vendor automatically reduces resolution or limits frame rates to manage bandwidth?
CCTV Video surveillance differs fundamentally from typical IT applications like email. It demands design considerations and significantly higher bandwidth, storage, and processing capabilities than most IT departments typically manage. Cloud camera vendors actively gloss over these critical differences, marketing their solutions to decision makers as "just another cloud application" when the reality often proves far more complex.
In contrast, cloud-managed VMS (Vendor Management System) solutions often allow you to keep or add to your existing IP cameras while adding cloud management benefits—providing a more cost-effective and future-proof migration path.
2. What Happens to Your Video Data and Hardware if You Stop Paying?
Direct-to-camera CCTV security camera solutions may create a powerful lock-in mechanism that many organisations don't fully appreciate until it's too late:
Will you lose access to all historical footage if you discontinue the subscription?
Does your hardware become unusable if you stop paying?
What migration options exist for retrieving years of accumulated video data?
Have termination scenarios been documented in your contract?
Unlike traditional systems where you own the hardware and data outright, direct-to-camera platforms may effectively hold your security camera operation and security footage hostage to continued payment. The longer you use the system, the more valuable historical data accumulates, and the more painful it becomes to consider switching - even if prices increase or service quality declines.
The proprietary nature of these cameras often means they typically cannot be repurposed with other software if you discontinue the vendor's service. By contrast, modern open-platform cloud-managed VMS platforms allow you to maintain access to your recording hardware and historical footage even if you decide to change VMS vendors.
3. Where Is Your Video Data Physically Stored, and Who Controls It?
With direct-to-camera solutions, your organisation often loses visibility into where sensitive security footage physically resides:
Is your data stored in your country/jurisdiction or potentially offshore?
What privacy laws and regulations apply to data stored in these locations?
Who can access your footage, under what circumstances, and with what level of notification?
Does your industry have specific compliance requirements around data sovereignty?
What happens to your historical footage if the provider is acquired or changes business models?
These questions become particularly crucial for organisations in regulated industries or those with strict data governance policies. The convenience of cloud storage must be weighed against the implications of relinquishing direct control of sensitive security data.
Cloud-managed VMS solutions such as OpenEye with on-premise recording give you greater control over where your video data physically resides, often providing better compliance posture for regulated industries while still delivering the management benefits of cloud business CCTV technology.
4. Who Will Actually Support Your CCTV System When Issues Arise?
The relationship between manufacturer, integrator, and end user is fundamentally changing with direct-to-cloud solutions:
Will your local integrator or the cloud vendor be your primary support contact?
What are the documented response times for different types of CCTV system issues?
Who takes responsibility for determining whether problems are CCTV security camera, network, or cloud-related?
Will you receive personalised service from someone familiar with your site or be directed to generic support channels?
Many organisations discover too late that their local integrator has been reduced to an installation technician with limited incentive to provide ongoing support, while the manufacturer's direct support team often lacks local presence and familiarity with specific site requirements.
The most successful security deployments typically result from true partnerships where integrators have both the expertise and financial incentive to serve as trusted advisors throughout the system lifecycle. Ensure you understand how support will be delivered before committing to a direct-to-cloud approach.
A company such as Tecsec can help in the process, maintaining a stronger role in the video, alarm and access control ecosystem and providing more personalised assistance when problems occur.
5. How Financially Stable Is the Vendor Behind the Solution?
Understanding the business stability of technology providers is crucial for long-term security planning:
How long has the vendor been in business, and what is their financial foundation?
Are they profitable or still dependent on venture capital funding?
What happens to your security infrastructure if the vendor undergoes significant business changes?
How easily could you migrate to an alternative solution if needed?
Many direct-to-cloud camera providers operate primarily on venture capital funding rather than sustainable business models. Their focus is often on rapidly acquiring customers and subscription revenue to demonstrate growth metrics to investors and often do not focus on building long-term customer relationships.
This creates significant future uncertainty for customers who commit to these platforms. A company that appears stable today might be acquired, forced to pivot its business model, or potentially shut down entirely if it fails to reach profitability targets.
Established VMS providers such as Tecsec often have more stable business models and longer track records, significantly reducing the risk of disruption to your security operations.
Finding the Right Balance for 2025 and Beyond
The evolution of cloud technology in security doesn't present a binary choice between direct-to-cloud and cloud-managed on-premise systems. The most effective approach is finding the right balance between cloud benefits and operational realities.
Forward-thinking organisations are increasingly adopting balanced architectures that provide
The management simplicity and automatic updates of cloud platforms.
Bandwidth efficiency through intelligent video handling.
The flexibility and investment protection of open platforms.
The integration capabilities of purpose-built video management systems.
Complete control over where sensitive video data is stored.
For multi-site enterprises especially, cloud-managed VMS solutions like OpenEye offer centralised management across unlimited locations while supporting both on-premise recording hardware and cloud-managed cameras. This architectural flexibility delivers compelling advantages for both operational efficiency and total cost of ownership while maintaining control over your valuable security data.
By thoroughly investigating these five questions and understanding the fundamental architectural differences between direct-to-cloud camera technologies and cloud-managed VMS solutions, your organisation can make more informed decisions about which approach truly aligns with your security requirements, network capabilities, and long-term technology strategy in 2025's evolving security landscape.
If you would like to discuss cloud-managed CCTV security camera systems and what solution is best for your business, then contact the team at Tecsec Security Technology. We can help you understand what option is the most cost-effective and ultimately secure solution for your business.