SIA CCTV Operator Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 17

   Why must an operator's incident log be accurate?

   • AIt is deleted at the end of each shift
   • BIt may be used as evidence in court
   • CIt is only read by the operator
   • DIt is used for advertising the system
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It may be used as evidence in court

   Logs record what was seen and done. They must be factual, timed and complete.

2. Question 2 of 17

   Under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, what may happen to material relevant to a criminal case?

   • AIt may have to be retained and disclosed in the legal process
   • BIt belongs to the operator personally
   • CIt can be sold to the defence lawyer
   • DIt must be destroyed straight away to protect people's privacy
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   Answer: A. It may have to be retained and disclosed in the legal process

   Relevant material, including CCTV, may need to be kept and disclosed. Operators should follow evidence procedures.

3. Question 3 of 17

   An operator sees a fight start in a town centre. What should they do first?

   • AAlert the police or control room and keep the camera on the incident
   • BPhone a friend to watch it
   • CWait to see how it ends before telling anyone, so the report is complete
   • DSwitch to another camera to avoid upsetting footage
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   Answer: A. Alert the police or control room and keep the camera on the incident

   Fast reporting helps the police respond. Recording the incident clearly provides evidence.

4. Question 4 of 17

   While monitoring, an operator spots a person who seems to be a lost, vulnerable child. What should they do?

   • AKeep them in view, alert the police or staff on the ground and record the details
   • BOnly note it in the log
   • CWait until the end of the shift, then report it to the duty supervisor in writing
   • DIgnore it because it is not a crime
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   Answer: A. Keep them in view, alert the police or staff on the ground and record the details

   CCTV can help protect vulnerable people. Quick action can bring help to them.

5. Question 5 of 17

   Which is a sign of possible hostile reconnaissance on CCTV?

   • AA person repeatedly filming security features and watching staff entrances
   • BPeople waiting at a bus stop in the rain
   • CChildren playing in a park with parents
   • DShoppers carrying heavy bags back to their cars in the multi-storey car park
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A person repeatedly filming security features and watching staff entrances

   Unusual interest in security can be part of attack planning. Report it following the control room's procedures.

6. Question 6 of 17

   What is a good technique for monitoring many screens?

   • ATurn off screens that seem quiet
   • BScan screens in a regular pattern and focus on unusual behaviour
   • CLook closely at the screens only when an alarm sounds or the radio calls
   • DWatch only one favourite screen
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   Answer: B. Scan screens in a regular pattern and focus on unusual behaviour

   A systematic scan helps operators spot unusual activity across all cameras.

7. Question 7 of 17

   An operator watches people because of their race rather than their behaviour. What is this?

   • ADiscrimination, which may break the Equality Act 2010
   • BNormal professional judgement
   • CA requirement of data protection law for public spaces
   • DGood practice for preventing crime
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   Answer: A. Discrimination, which may break the Equality Act 2010

   Operators should watch behaviour, not appearance. Targeting people because of protected characteristics is unlawful and unethical.

8. Question 8 of 17

   An operator records footage of a friend in the street and shares it on social media. What is the problem?

   • AIt is fine because the footage was filmed in a public place where anyone can see
   • BIt is only a problem if the friend is famous
   • CThere is no problem if the friend laughs
   • DIt misuses personal data and breaks data protection law and the operator's procedures
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   Answer: D. It misuses personal data and breaks data protection law and the operator's procedures

   CCTV images must only be used for the system's stated purposes. Misuse can lead to dismissal and prosecution.

9. Question 9 of 17

   Which regulations require employers to manage risks from working with display screens?

   • AThe Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
   • BThe Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
   • CThe Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
   • DThe Licensing Act 2003
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   Answer: C. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

   The regulations require workstation assessments, breaks or changes of activity, and eye tests on request for screen users.

10. Question 10 of 17

    Why should CCTV operators take regular breaks or changes of activity?

    • ABecause the cameras need to cool down every hour or so
    • BTo reduce eye strain and tiredness and stay alert
    • CTo avoid writing reports
    • DSo they can leave the room unsecured
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    Answer: B. To reduce eye strain and tiredness and stay alert

    Long periods watching screens reduce concentration. Breaks help operators stay effective.

11. Question 11 of 17

    Who may be given access to CCTV images?

    • AAnyone who asks politely in writing and gives their full name and home address
    • BOnly those with a lawful reason, such as the police, following procedures
    • CJournalists who agree to pay a fee
    • DFriends and family of the operator
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    Answer: B. Only those with a lawful reason, such as the police, following procedures

    Disclosure must be lawful and recorded. Each request should be checked against the system's policy.

12. Question 12 of 17

    Which is the best description of a "fixed" camera?

    • AA camera that turns to follow moving people automatically
    • BA camera that points at one set view and does not move
    • CA camera that has been repaired
    • DA camera that only works at night
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    Answer: B. A camera that points at one set view and does not move

    Fixed cameras watch one area, such as an entrance. PTZ cameras can be moved by the operator.

13. Question 13 of 17

    What should an operator do if a camera stops working?

    • AGo out and try to open the camera housing in the street to fix it
    • BHide the fault from the supervisor
    • CIgnore it until someone complains
    • DReport the fault and record it in the log so it can be repaired
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    Answer: D. Report the fault and record it in the log so it can be repaired

    Faults leave gaps in coverage. Recording and reporting them gets them fixed and explains any missing footage.

14. Question 14 of 17

    Which document should an organisation complete before installing a new CCTV system that could affect privacy?

    • AA driving licence application
    • BA premises licence for alcohol
    • CA fire risk assessment for the control room
    • DA data protection impact assessment (DPIA)
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    Answer: D. A data protection impact assessment (DPIA)

    The ICO expects a DPIA for surveillance systems, to identify privacy risks and how to reduce them.

15. Question 15 of 17

    Why does a CCTV control room have written operating procedures?

    • ABecause cameras will not switch on without them
    • BSo that new operators can skip the training course and start work sooner
    • CTo list the best camera angles for entertainment
    • DSo the system is used lawfully and consistently by every operator
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    Answer: D. So the system is used lawfully and consistently by every operator

    Procedures explain how to monitor, record, respond and handle evidence in line with the law and codes of practice.

16. Question 16 of 17

    Why must the date and time on a CCTV system be correct?

    • ABecause the cameras automatically stop recording if the time is wrong
    • BTo make the images brighter
    • CSo operators know when to take breaks
    • DSo footage can be matched to events and is reliable as evidence
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    Answer: D. So footage can be matched to events and is reliable as evidence

    Wrong timestamps can cause confusion and weaken evidence. Checks should be part of routine procedures.

17. Question 17 of 17

    A caller says they are a police officer and asks for footage to be emailed straight away. What should the operator do?

    • AEmail it at once to the address given, because the police need it fast
    • BFollow the disclosure procedure, including checking the request and identity, and record it
    • CRefuse to deal with the police ever
    • DPost the footage online so the police can find it
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Follow the disclosure procedure, including checking the request and identity, and record it

    Disclosures must be checked and recorded so images only go to people with a lawful reason.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 70% in each multiple-choice exam (72 questions and 40 questions)