We hear this question from homeowners and business owners alike. And usually, right after something has happened and they’re trying to retrieve footage from a few months back. 

At CCTV Galway, we think it’s worth understanding how retention actually works. 

What the Law Says 

Irish data protection law doesn’t set a fixed number of days that CCTV footage must be kept or deleted. Instead, the rule under GDPR is: footage should only be kept for as long as is necessary for the purpose it was recorded for. Once that purpose has passed, the footage should be deleted. 

This isn’t a loophole, it’s a deliberate principle. A shop keeping footage to investigate stock discrepancies might need weeks to notice a pattern. Whereas a homeowner reviewing footage after a parcel goes missing might only need a few days. 

The responsibility is on you to set a retention period that’s reasonable and justifiable for your own situation. 

Typical Retention Windows

Most home and small business systems are commonly set to retain footage for somewhere between one and four weeks. This is based on storage capacity.. Higher-resolution cameras and systems fill storage faster, which shortens the retention window. 

This is one of the first things we talk through during a site survey, matching your storage capacity to how long you want footage available. 

Cloud vs Local Storage 

Footage can be stored locally on a DVR or NVR at the property, or remotely via cloud storage. Local storage generally offers a longer retention window for the same cost, but footage is only available if the device itself is in working order. If it’s stolen or damaged, that footage goes with it. Cloud storage protects against that risk and allows remote access from anywhere. Cloud storage does usually come with an ongoing subscription and the retention period will be set by the plan you choose.

What To Do If You Need Footage

If something happens and you know you’ll need footage later, don’t wait. Export or save the relevant clip as soon as possible rather than assuming it’ll still be there in a few weeks.
Once storage cycles round and older footage is overwritten, it’s gone for good. 

Getting Your Retention Settings Right 

The right retention period comes down to your property, your storage, and what you actually need footage for. Contact CCTV Galway today for a free consultation, and we’ll help you set up a system, and a retention period that actually works for you.