CCTV systems are now fundamental to public safety, operational monitoring and investigative analytics, generating vast volumes of sensitive visual data. However, existing storage and analysis approaches struggle to balance the value of video intelligence with increasingly stringent data protection requirements, particularly under GDPR. Conventional anonymisation permanently removes personal identifiers, limiting investigative capability and reducing flexibility in responding to legitimate data access requests. Traditional encryption, meanwhile, protects stored footage but prevents efficient analysis and requires sensitive data to be exposed during retrieval.
PrivacyGuard addresses this challenge through a privacy-first CCTV storage and analytics platform based on reversible selective encryption and privacy-preserving content-based search. The system enables authorised users to securely search encrypted video for relevant objects, activities or events while keeping sensitive regions protected throughout the entire data lifecycle. This approach maintains operational functionality while significantly improving privacy protection, regulatory compliance and data governance.
By enabling secure video intelligence without requiring full exposure of sensitive footage, PrivacyGuard reduces compliance burdens for organisations responsible for large-scale CCTV deployments, including public authorities, security providers and critical infrastructure operators. The technology provides a unique combination of privacy, efficiency and analytical capability that is currently unavailable in conventional CCTV solutions.
Over 15 months, the project will deliver a TRL 6 prototype and establish a commercialisation roadmap focused on licensing the technology to video management system (VMS) providers and exploring spin-out opportunities. By addressing the growing global demand for responsible AI, secure data management and privacy-preserving analytics, PrivacyGuard positions Ireland as a leader in trustworthy video intelligence aligned with the ARC Hub’s Data Security, Privacy and Governance priorities.
