What is the goal of surveillance in a security context?

The primary goal of surveillance in a security context is to monitor behavior proactively to prevent incidents. This proactive approach allows security personnel to observe and assess activities in real-time, enabling them to detect unusual behaviors or potential threats before they escalate into more serious situations. By focusing on prevention, effective surveillance helps to enhance safety and security in various environments, such as shopping centers, events, or corporate settings.

This focus on prevention contrasts with identifying potential criminals after an incident or merely recording incidents for later use, which are reactive measures that come after a situation has occurred. Intimidation may play a role in some environments, but it does not encapsulate the overarching purpose of surveillance, which is fundamentally about maintaining safety and preventing criminal actions proactively.