BSIA welcomes BSI’s publication of BS 8593 focusing on body-worn video cameras
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is pleased to have played a pivotal role in the development of BS 8593 Code of Practice for the Deployment and Use of Body-Worn Video which has been published by the British Standards Institution. Body-worn video is becoming a key technology in the UK video surveillance systems sector. To support its appropriate and proportionate use, BS 8593 provides detailed technical and operational recommendations.
The British Standard covers recommendations for the deployment and use of body-worn video used for the purposes of recording interactions between the wearer and other parties, or indeed the environments in which wearers finds themselves.
Dave Wilkinson, director of technical services at the BSIA and chairman of the British Standards Institution’s (BSI) GW1/10 Sub-Committee, informed The Paper: “The need for a British Standard in this area was born from discussions involving the Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter with regards to guidance for body-worn video in relation to the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Code of Practice. The British Standard’s development committee was chaired by myself and involved a wide variety of stakeholders, including manufacturers, inspectorates and representatives from the Information Commissioner’s Office, the Security Industry Authority and the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s office.”
Wilkinson continued: “There are clear advantages for the use of body-worn video in a number of applications. However, its usage also brings about challenges in terms of privacy and data security. It’s hoped that this standard will support the work of organisations such as the ICO as well as the Surveillance Camera Commissioner in ensuring that surveillance remains appropriate and proportionate and that there’s a balance struck between safety, security and the privacy of those being surveilled.”