Ten applications of body worn video to help private companies

The biggest users of body worn video (BWV) are the police. Mass rollouts have been seen in UK and the US. These worn devices incorporate a camera, microphone and other software/hardware to allow visual and audio recording, storage and subsequent exporting of data for the specified deployment. The technology has now been taken up by the private security industry as well as any organizations interested in ensuring the protection of their employees or visitors.

Traditionally used as a deterrent to aggression, CCTV is common in the public arena and regularly shows up on social media or is broadcast in news stories. But in the private sector, the advantages of using video technology for privacy and security are being fully explored.

We're used to using mobile technology, phones and tablets to capture video and audio files. BWV enhances the camera's video and audio offering, with the ability to upload video, images and audio (collectively referred to in this standard as 'data') – either immediately or retrospectively – to anywhere in the world.

In this article we explore 10 examples of the usual and unusual ways that companies are using BWV and how applicable BWV is for use by the private sector's suppliers and procurers.

Ten applications of BWV in the private sector

Anne Hayes, Head of Market Development for Governance and Resilience at BSI, said:

'BWV has an advantage as a security device in terms of providing the user with a sense of protection, a second pair of eyes and ears should something go wrong.'

Here is a round-up of 10 areas within the private sector where this technology is being used.

1. BWV is being used in commercial applications where a lone worker needs to be guarded or protected. This can include private sector security personnel or any worker who is involved in public order or crowd management.
2. It is prevalent in situations where employee safety and security are needed, and serves as a deterrent. This could be wherever a user may be at risk of physical or verbal attack, or if they work in a hazardous environment. This is common within the night-time economy (for example, the owner of a licensed premise or a night club operator) or when security personnel are replenishing ATMs.
3. Front-line staff are increasingly needing a visual account of their client-facing experiences. For example, NHS employees are battling against attacks and violence on a grand scale.
4. BWV has a functional capacity to provide evidence in commercial and legal proceedings. Some users may be witness to, or are managing, legal proceedings where captured criminal activity could assist in a conviction.
5. For organizations involved in transactions with vulnerable people, BWV provides a chance for transparency to occur. This improves levels of accountability and protects people in high-stakes situations – for example in occupations that regularly encounters complaints, such as bailiffs or parking wardens.
6. In the food industry the use of BWV is helpful for providing an audit trail so that the organization can prove that it has met its legal obligations. This is common with deliveries of alcohol to licensed premises that have their own audit requirements that must be complied with in order to remain operational. BWV also meets the challenge of home delivery of alcohol to ensure that an adult takes delivery. In such cases the use of BWV may be required in licence agreements.
7. Private companies may like to capture data while a staff member is working as normal. This could be used to improve future training or to identify learning opportunities.
8. Schools are trialling the use of BWV to deal with 'low-level background disorder' in classrooms to protect both staff and students.
9. BWV wearers can be involved in environmental monitoring, whereby the user is recording changing environmental factors. They can also use the captured data to add to the information gathered during remote environmental assessments.
10. BWV assists the technology sector in meeting its obligations for information security. Staff can be monitored, so there is a visual history of the systems used and places they have been.

The challenges of BWV

David Buxton, Head of Policy and Support for the Government's Surveillance Camera Commissioner, said:

'The important and fundamental balance of preserving the rights of citizens whilst keeping our communities safe and secure is at the heart of the Home Secretary's Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, which I regulate. The principles within that code are at the heart of the new standard, and I commend its introduction.'

BWV is not without its challenges in terms of operational use, technical capability, security of data and privacy to those being recorded.

• There is a difference between CCTV and BWV, which is not covered within existing CCTV standards.
• Public confidence is critical in the operation and management of such systems, together with privacy impact assessments (PIAs).
• Security, mobility and operational training (evidence, intelligence, staff safety, etc.) are all key issues that need to be considered in the implementation of any system.

Industry best practice and guidance is available in BS 8593

The British Standard BS 8593:2017, Code of practice for the deployment and use of Body Worn Video (BWV), aims to support the work of the various public and private sector organizations to deliver a common framework for BWV.

It can be used to ensure that there is a balance between safety and security and the privacy of people being recorded. It provides recommendations that can be used consistently across multiple applications such as the police and criminal justice systems, parking and civil enforcement and lone workers, and a common platform for integration into other technology and use.

This standard is applicable to BWV users, system owners and suppliers, and it takes into account how the visual/audio data is captured, viewed, stored and used securely.

What's included in BS 8593:2017?

Developed in conjunction with security and privacy groups – including the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police, and Big Brother Watch – this common framework covers planning and operational recommendations, outlining the need for BWV deployment to be based on legitimate reasons (particularly if undertaking a PIA).

• Clause 4 covers planning and operational requirements and outlines the need for any BWV deployment to be based on legitimate reasons, particularly in terms of undertaking a PIA.
• Clause 5 explores device recommendations, such as functionality, weight, image quality, encryption and data management.
• Clause 6 covers data management and security, including data integrity, audit trails, storage, and sharing and redaction.
• Clause 7 covers remote monitoring, escalation and response as agreed with the system owners.
• Clause 8 addresses training for the supplier's own staff, the BWV user, data handlers and operator training.
• Informative Annex A outlines the eight principles of the Data Protection Act 1998.
• Informative Annex B has been added to give the 12 guiding principles from the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, which sets out good practice principles the BWV user should consider when using and auditing BWV.

To find out more or to buy the standard, please visit the BSI shop.