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Hi Dave,

Thanks for raising these points.  I should clarify our primary reason
for considering cameras in the first place.  Students who are registered
with the RCPD can opt to take tests in our office.  We have a number of
testing rooms which offer assistive technologies and other
accommodations as needed.  The addition of cameras to these rooms would
help insure the integrity of the testing  procedure.  It would also
serve to protect students if any allegations of cheating were to arise.
Before students are allowed to utilize our alternative testing
environment, they are asked to sign an agreement.  If cameras are added,
that fact will be clearly reflected at the top of that agreement.

Another, and perhaps separate problem is the issue of security.  We have
several blind spots in our office.  For example, the entry way is not
directly visible from the reception area.  We need a way to monitor
traffic in such areas, to insure doors are not left open, etc.
Thoughts as to solutions for either of these issues would be great.

Thanks,

Al


-----Original Message-----
From: MSU Network Administrators Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of David A Gift
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MSUNAG] Thoughts on Internet Surveillance Cameras?

Traditionally MSU has tried to discourage the use of surveillance
cameras, particularly in classrooms and areas where students study, or
where personal privacy is expected.  The rationales have been simply a
general effort to protect individual privacy, and the chilling effect
that cameras can have in many social contexts.  Having said that,
cameras have been deployed in areas where security or sensitive/valuable
assets are a particular concern and where video surveillance makes sense
as a security technique. 

When considering use of surveillance cameras, I'd encourage you to think
about:
1.  How can you minimize or avoid the use of cameras?
2.  Would other security methods or technologies do as good or better
job?  
(e.g., the DPPS proximity card system for locking rooms, which can
include motion-detector alarms that are armed by the security system) 3.
How will you make users of the space aware that they may be remotely
observed?
4. Make sure that Internet access to the cameras and to any recorded
images/video are properly and well secured.
5. Consider well how long you intend to store recorded images or video
captured by the cameras, and have and follow the University's policies
and practices for release of any recorded content to other parties,
including law enforcement. 

 - Dave Gift 


Al Puzzuoli writes: 

> We have a number of rooms in which we would like to install 
> surveillance cameras.  The  images from these cameras should be 
> viewable remotely via some sort of secure UI.  The cameras should also

> be configurable so that they would start recording based on certain 
> triggers such as motion, changes in lighting, etc.  The D-Link 
> DCS-6620( http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=410 ) seems ideal in 
> terms of features, but since we want to deploy 11 of these, a less 
> expensive alternative would be nice.
> 
> Any experiences o recommendations would be great. 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> Al Puzzuoli
> Information Technologist                                       
> Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities  517-884-1915  120 
> Bessey Hall East Lansing, MI  48824-1033 http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
>