{"id":18491,"date":"2026-11-01T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/sa\/media-center\/"},"modified":"2026-11-01T19:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T19:00:00","slug":"cctv-security-systems-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/sa\/media-center\/cctv-security-systems-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"CCTV and Security System Maintenance: Periodic Checks and Contract Scope"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18491\" class=\"elementor elementor-18491 elementor-18490 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b655d03 e-con-full az-el-article e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b655d03\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-411f1e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"411f1e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"az-intro\">A failed camera does not always show on screen. The recorder can show a perfect live view while one channel stopped recording weeks ago, the disk filled up and overwrites footage sooner than required, or the clock drifted so timestamps are wrong. These faults usually surface only when footage is requested after an incident, which is why <strong>CCTV maintenance<\/strong> and security system maintenance must be periodic and documented.<\/p>\n<p>This guide covers what a visit checks on cameras, recorders, the network, intrusion alarms, access control, intercom and barriers, a suggested schedule, and what the contract should include. AZEIDK delivers this work under its <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/services\/annual-maintenance-contracts\/\">preventive and periodic maintenance contracts<\/a> for fire and security systems, within the scope defined in each contract.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-158c3df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"158c3df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"az-keybox\"><h2>Key takeaways<\/h2><ul><li>The worst surveillance faults are silent: stopped recording, a failing disk, short retention or unsynchronised time.<\/li><li>The Executive Regulation of the Saudi Security Surveillance Cameras Law requires immediate reporting and prompt clearing of any fault that stops the equipment, and access limited to authorised persons with a log.<\/li><li>The retention period and technical specifications are set by the Security Conditions and Requirements Document; check its approved text for each facility.<\/li><li>Verify retention by opening the oldest recording on each channel, not from disk capacity on paper.<\/li><li>Firmware, password and account management are ongoing maintenance, not a one-off handover task.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bae17d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bae17d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What Saudi regulation says about operating surveillance systems<\/h2>\n<p>The Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras was issued by Royal Decree No. (M\/34) dated 7\/3\/1444H, after Council of Ministers Resolution No. (164) dated 1\/3\/1444H. Minister of Interior Decision No. (22688) dated 3\/11\/1444H approved its Executive Regulation and the Security Conditions and Requirements Document, published in Umm Al-Qura in June 2023. For the covered facility types and penalties, see our news piece on <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/saudi-security-surveillance-systems-news-en\/\">surveillance systems in Saudi Arabia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Provisions that bear on maintenance:<\/p>\n<ul><li><strong>Article 3:<\/strong> equipment in secure, clean locations under the facility&#8217;s continuous supervision; storage media dedicated to surveillance only; National Cybersecurity Authority requirements met when linking to other networks, after Ministry approval; access limited to authorised persons, with a log of their entry and exit; and immediate reporting through the electronic platform of any fault that stops the equipment, cleared as soon as possible.<\/li><li><strong>Article 4:<\/strong> the Directorate issues a certificate that installation requirements are met; licensing authorities may not issue or renew an activity licence without it.<\/li><li><strong>Article 6:<\/strong> once a security incident is reported, the facility keeps recordings until the investigation ends or for the period in the Conditions Document, whichever is longer.<\/li><li><strong>Article 10:<\/strong> no one other than authorised bodies may keep recordings contrary to the period set in the Conditions Document.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p>So retention is not the owner&#8217;s or contractor&#8217;s choice: the Conditions Document sets it, and maintenance confirms the system achieves it. The regulation sets no visit frequency; that comes from manufacturer instructions, site sensitivity and the contract.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21b88b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21b88b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What a CCTV maintenance visit checks<\/h2>\n<h3>Cameras and image quality<\/h3>\n<ul><li>Each camera&#8217;s field of view against the approved design; a loose bracket or a camera knocked during other works changes coverage unnoticed.<\/li><li>Focus, and a clean lens and housing window, especially outdoors with dust and humidity.<\/li><li>Night performance: infrared (IR) illumination, day\/night switching, and no IR reflection from a nearby ceiling, wall or dirty dome.<\/li><li>A recorded clip, not just the live view, as sub-stream settings may differ from recording settings.<\/li><li>Cables, connectors and outdoor junction boxes, including water ingress.<\/li><\/ul>\n<h3>Recorders (NVR\/DVR) and hard disks<\/h3>\n<ul><li>Every channel records to the approved schedule (continuous, motion or event), and the log shows no camera dropouts or disk errors.<\/li><li>Disk health: Hikvision NVRs, for example, offer S.M.A.R.T. detection and a disk self-test from the maintenance menu, with indicators that help anticipate failures.<\/li><li>Time and date synchronised on all devices; wrongly timed footage loses value in an investigation.<\/li><li>A test export that plays on another computer.<\/li><li>Device cleanliness and ventilation.<\/li><\/ul>\n<h3>Network and PoE switches<\/h3>\n<p>On IP systems the switch carries both data and power. The visit checks port status and errors, PoE draw against the switch budget, cabinet temperature and ventilation, cable labelling, and that no unrelated devices sit on the surveillance network. For network and storage planning at design stage, see <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/cctv-access-control-systems-building-security\/\">CCTV and access control systems for building security<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Intrusion alarm, access control, intercom and barriers<\/h3>\n<ul><li><strong>Intrusion alarm:<\/strong> walk or open test of every detector, wireless battery and signal levels, and alarm delivery to the designated receiver or app.<\/li><li><strong>Access control:<\/strong> user rights match reality, leavers&#8217; cards and fingerprints are removed, locks and exit buttons work, and doors release on a fire alarm signal where designed to.<\/li><li><strong>Intercom:<\/strong> clear audio and video at both stations, and door release from the indoor unit.<\/li><li><strong>Gates and parking barriers:<\/strong> opening and closing times, safety sensors that stop the arm lowering onto a vehicle or person, and lubrication and adjustment per the manufacturer&#8217;s manual.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-990ad19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"990ad19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Suggested periodic maintenance schedule<\/h2>\n<p>This table is good practice, not a legal requirement. Adjust frequencies to manufacturer instructions, site sensitivity and the contract.<\/p>\n<div class=\"az-table-wrap\"><table><thead><tr><th>Suggested frequency<\/th><th>Tasks<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Monthly<\/td><td>Channel and recording status, recorder error logs, disk health, time synchronisation, and a sample of night recordings<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Quarterly<\/td><td>Clean lenses and housings, check camera angles and focus, test intrusion detectors, locks and exit buttons, review the equipment access log, and measure actual retention<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Six-monthly<\/td><td>Review and apply verified firmware updates, review user accounts and permissions, and check switches, PoE budget and cabinets<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Annual<\/td><td>Full coverage review against design and site changes, export test, batteries and backup power, updated drawings and asset register, and disks nearing end of life<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<p>Corrective maintenance sits outside this schedule: any fault that stops surveillance equipment is reported and fixed at once, as Article 3 requires.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7eca4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7eca4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Firmware and password hygiene<\/h2>\n<p>Recorders and IP cameras are networked devices; a weakness in either can expose footage or take the system down. Dahua&#8217;s security best practices list strong passwords and up-to-date firmware as mandatory basics. Its recommended extras include account lockout, disabling unused services such as UPnP and SNMP, HTTPS, least-privilege rights, log and online-user reviews, no router port forwarding, and network isolation.<\/p>\n<p>Updating has its own rules. Hikvision&#8217;s NVR guidance says to use firmware that matches the unit&#8217;s hardware variant, export the configuration before upgrading, and avoid downgrading, which can reset the device to factory defaults. Ajax hubs update automatically by default and install only when the system is disarmed and on external power; auto-update can be turned off and updates run manually.<\/p>\n<p>The contract should add documented updates with versions before and after, a configuration backup, default passwords changed at handover, and administrator accounts handed to the owner, not held only by the contractor.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf1fd20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf1fd20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Verifying storage and retention<\/h2>\n<p>Disk capacity is sized at design stage, but real retention changes in operation as cameras are added, resolution rises, compression changes, recording moves from motion to continuous, or a disk drops out. A practical method:<\/p>\n<ol><li>Open the oldest available recording on each channel and count the days to the visit date.<\/li><li>Compare it with the period the Conditions Document requires for that facility type.<\/li><li>Check for gaps caused by camera dropouts or full disks.<\/li><li>Review each disk&#8217;s health and record any warnings or bad sectors.<\/li><li>If retention is shorter or longer than required, adjust settings or capacity and document it, since Article 10 prohibits keeping recordings contrary to the set period.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd974e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd974e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Reports and records<\/h2>\n<p>A report saying &#8220;system working&#8221; tells the owner nothing. A useful one lists devices checked by number and location, each channel&#8217;s status, measured retention per recorder, disk health, firmware versions, faults by impact, and what was fixed or awaits parts.<\/p>\n<p>The owner keeps copies, with the access log the regulation requires and a log of fault reports and clearance dates, to demonstrate compliance at any inspection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7cebef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b7cebef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What a security system maintenance contract should include<\/h2>\n<p>General clauses such as pricing, response times and deficiency classification are covered in <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/fire-systems-maintenance-contracts-saudi-arabia\/\">fire system maintenance contracts in Saudi Arabia<\/a>, and most apply here too. Points specific to security systems:<\/p>\n<ul><li>A full asset register of cameras, recorders, disks, switches, detectors, access points, intercom stations and barriers, with model and location.<\/li><li>Clear scope per system and explicit exclusions, such as cameras damaged by external causes or system expansion.<\/li><li>The task schedule annexed with its frequencies, including retention measurement at least every quarterly visit.<\/li><li>Response time for faults that stop recording or take cameras offline, so the facility can clear them as soon as possible.<\/li><li>A firmware, password and account policy, and who holds administrator accounts.<\/li><li>Handling of replaced disks, which hold footage that must not leave the facility uncontrolled.<\/li><li>Spare parts: whether disks, power supplies and batteries are included or priced separately.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p>AZEIDK supplies Hikvision, Dahua and EZVIZ cameras and recorders, ZKTeco access control and time attendance, Ajax intrusion alarms and BFT parking barriers as part of its <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/solutions\/security-surveillance-systems\/\">security and surveillance solutions<\/a>. For Hikvision&#8217;s range, see <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/hikvision-brand-security-low-current-saudi-arabia\/\">Hikvision in Saudi Arabia<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bd6b17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bd6b17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Common mistakes in surveillance maintenance<\/h2>\n<ul><li>Judging the system healthy from the live view alone.<\/li><li>Leaving default passwords, or one shared administrator account.<\/li><li>Updating firmware with a mismatched file or without a configuration backup.<\/li><li>Not recalculating retention after adding cameras or raising resolution.<\/li><li>Skipping night tests, so a good daytime image is unusable at night.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe0509b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe0509b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><div class=\"az-faq\"><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>How often should CCTV cameras be maintained?<\/h3><\/summary><p>The Executive Regulation sets no visit frequency. Common good practice is a monthly recording and disk check, quarterly cleaning and adjustment, and an annual full review, adjusted to manufacturer instructions and site sensitivity.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>How long must CCTV recordings be kept in Saudi Arabia?<\/h3><\/summary><p>The Executive Regulation refers to the Security Conditions and Requirements Document for the period. After a reported incident, recordings are kept until the investigation ends or for that period, whichever is longer. Check the document&#8217;s approved text for your facility type.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>What should I do if the recorder stops working?<\/h3><\/summary><p>The regulation requires immediate reporting through the electronic platform of any fault that stops the equipment, and clearing it as soon as possible. The contract should set a response time for such faults.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>Is a firmware update needed if the system works?<\/h3><\/summary><p>Dahua lists keeping firmware up to date among its core security practices. Review each release before installing, back up the configuration, and record versions before and after.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>Does a CCTV maintenance contract cover access control and barriers?<\/h3><\/summary><p>Not automatically. Name each system in the asset register and scope, with models, locations and its own schedule.<\/p><\/details><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da21e92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da21e92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Maintaining CCTV and security systems means confirming the system records, keeps footage for the required period, gives a usable image day and night, and stays protected from unauthorised access. That takes a written schedule, measured retention, disciplined firmware and account management, and reports the owner keeps.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4787962 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4787962\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"az-cta\"><strong>Want to check how ready your surveillance system is?<\/strong> Send us your camera, recorder and connected-system counts, and we will propose a visit scope and schedule for your site. <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/contact\/\">Talk to the AZEIDK team<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0bacf5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b0bacf5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"az-source\"><strong>References:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uqn.gov.sa\/details?p=23050\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Executive Regulation of the Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras<\/a> (Umm Al-Qura); <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uqn.gov.sa\/details?p=23049\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Approval of the Executive Regulation and the Security Conditions and Requirements Document<\/a> (Umm Al-Qura); <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uqn.gov.sa\/details?p=20292\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Approval of the Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras<\/a> (Umm Al-Qura); <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dahuasecurity.com\/about-dahua\/news-events\/notice\/best-practices\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best Practices<\/a> (Dahua Technology); <a href=\"https:\/\/enpinfo.hikvision.com\/hkwsen\/unzip\/20230410194813_20373_doc\/GUID-A0A40CD3-9BB0-430D-BD63-8A4C626E8CEB.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">S.M.A.R.T. Detection<\/a> (Hikvision); <a href=\"https:\/\/us-legacy.hikvision.com\/en\/support-resources\/cybersecurity-center\/changing-passwords-ip-cameras\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NVR firmware upgrade notes<\/a> (Hikvision); <a href=\"https:\/\/ajax.systems\/blog\/ajax-updating-procedure\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How OS Malevich is updated<\/a> (Ajax Systems)<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CCTV maintenance and security system checks in Saudi Arabia: night image, NVR and disk health, retention verification, firmware and what a contract covers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":16396,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[],"azeidk_region":[223],"class_list":["post-18491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-azeidk-articles"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18491"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19286,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18491\/revisions\/19286"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18491"},{"taxonomy":"azeidk_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/azeidk_region?post=18491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}