Kazakhstan approves video surveillance standard

Kazakhstan has approved, for the first time, a unified national standard establishing requirements for video surveillance systems during the design, construction and reconstruction of buildings, El.kz reports citing the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The new national standard was approved by an order of the Chair of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade and Integration. The document establishes uniform requirements for video cameras and video surveillance systems to be used in the construction of new facilities and the modernization of existing buildings.

The standard was developed as part of the National Standardization Plan for the current year. The initiative to develop the standard was put forward by the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The document will enter into force on 1 September 2026.

New requirements for video surveillance cameras

The primary objective of the new standard is to harmonize requirements for the selection, installation and subsequent operation of video surveillance equipment. The uniform requirements will enable systems manufactured by different vendors to operate together and, where necessary, to connect to digital monitoring platforms.

For the first time at the national level, minimum technical specifications have been established for video surveillance cameras. The standard sets requirements for the type of image sensor, image resolution, light sensitivity, frame rate, lenses, operating temperature range, equipment protection against external environmental factors, as well as installation requirements.

A separate section addresses camera placement. These requirements apply to facilities under design, construction or reconstruction, ensuring that video surveillance systems comply with uniform technical standards from the outset.

Classification of cameras by intended use

For the first time, the document introduces a classification of video cameras based on their intended functions.

The standard establishes separate requirements for outdoor surveillance cameras, indoor surveillance equipment, devices designed for the detection and identification of persons, systems for the recognition of vehicle registration plates, as well as pan-tilt cameras capable of changing their field of view.

This classification will enable designers and clients to select equipment based on the specific purpose and characteristics of a facility and ensure a consistent approach to the development of security systems.

Video data retention period

The new standard establishes requirements not only for individual cameras but also for video surveillance systems as a whole.

Under the standard, systems must ensure the continuous recording, transmission, processing and storage of video data for a minimum period of 30 days. In addition, equipment must support modern data exchange protocols and comply with national information security requirements.

The standard also provides for the use of intelligent video analytics. These include technologies for facial recognition, vehicle registration plate recognition and automated event detection and recording, thereby expanding the capabilities of security systems deployed at government, commercial and public facilities.