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Best Practices for VCR Tapes

Question: 
What is your recommendation on how long to retain VCR tapes used in security camera devices? How long should we go before re-using them? We reuse them 3 times and then store them forever. Most of our branches are now on a digital security camera system but we still have VCR tapes.
Answer: 

Tape retention is generally governed by the state and federal statute of limitations that indicate the time frame within which a crime may be prosecuted. For most banking crimes, this is five (5) years -- and this would apply to digital images, too. Unfortunately, most institutions keep images for no more than one (1) year. If you want the local cops or the FBI to work your cases, you should be prepared to furnish those agencies with the evidence they'll need to conduct an investigation. Otherwise, it may take the agencies awhile to get to you . . .

First published on BankersOnline.com 4/10/06

First published on 04/10/2006

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