security camera

This term refers specifically to hardware used for surveillance and crime prevention. While often used interchangeably with CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television), a security camera is the physical device, whereas CCTV refers to the entire system of cameras and monitors.

In modern usage, the term encompasses both traditional wired systems and contemporary wireless or cloud-based smart cameras. It carries a connotation of vigilance and protection, though in certain social contexts, it can imply an invasive level of monitoring or a lack of privacy.