The Covert Group supplies remote CCTV with KeySIM IoT SIMs to hundreds of private investigators

The Covert Group is using KeySIM’s multi-network IoT SIM cards to connect its own remotely operated CCTV cameras and surveillance applications during highly sensitive security deployments.

The company designs and builds its own covert cameras, supporting technology and apps for professional investigators and surveillance teams. It has used KeySIM’s IoT connectivity for four years, with its equipment now used by hundreds of private investigators.

The company produces covert cameras for professional investigators, surveillance teams, law enforcement organisations and councils. Its equipment supports short-term and long-term deployments across urban, rural and remote environments.

Alongside building its own cameras, The Covert Group develops apps and supporting technology that allow investigators to access information and manage operations remotely. By controlling the development of its hardware and software, the company can adapt its systems to the practical requirements of surveillance professionals.

Reliable connectivity is critical during surveillance operations. Remote CCTV equipment must be able to communicate with authorised users so they can access footage and manage a deployment without attending the location.

Covert cameras may be deployed in locations where fixed broadband and Wi-Fi are unavailable. Mobile coverage can also vary considerably between locations, making a SIM card restricted to one network unsuitable for many deployments.

The nature of covert surveillance also means equipment can occasionally be lost, damaged or discovered during an operation. The Covert Group therefore needed an IoT SIM without a minimum contract, allowing the associated subscription to be cancelled immediately if the equipment could no longer be recovered.

The Covert Group selected KeySIM’s unsteered multi-network IoT SIM, which can connect to Vodafone, O2, EE and Three in the UK, as well as multiple mobile networks overseas.

Rather than being tied to a single UK operator, the equipment can connect through an available participating network. This is important for remote CCTV deployments because the strongest mobile network cannot always be predicted before the equipment arrives on site.

KeySIM’s IoT SIM cards are installed in Teltonika routers used with The Covert Group’s cameras and applications. Authorised users can connect securely through the KeySIM VPN to the SIM’s private IP address, allowing them to access and control the router and connected equipment remotely.

Crucially, Teltonika routers can also receive SMS commands. This provides an additional way to control or reconfigure a router if its normal data connection becomes unavailable or needs to be restored.

KeySIM’s no-minimum-contract service also reflects the practical risks involved in covert deployments. If a camera or router is lost during an operation, The Covert Group can cancel the IoT SIM subscription immediately rather than continuing to pay for connectivity attached to equipment it no longer has.

Supporting The Covert Group’s cameras and apps

Because The Covert Group builds its own cameras and develops its own apps, dependable connectivity can be considered throughout the design of the complete system.

The cameras, Teltonika routers, KeySIM IoT SIM cards and supporting applications work together to provide remote access to deployed equipment. This gives authorised investigators a practical way to manage cameras, access available footage and respond to changing operational requirements.

The Covert Group has used KeySIM for four years, and the connectivity is now used in equipment supplied to hundreds of private investigators.

Vernon Griffiths, founder of The Covert Group, said:

“We build our own covert cameras and develop our own apps because professional investigators need equipment designed around the realities of surveillance work. Connectivity is a critical part of that system.

“If equipment loses its connection at the wrong moment, vital footage can be lost or become inaccessible, which can have serious consequences for an investigation.

“We have used KeySIM’s IoT SIM cards for four years, and they have vastly improved the performance of our remote CCTV deployments. Being able to access Vodafone, O2, EE and Three from one SIM gives our equipment a much better opportunity to maintain connectivity in challenging locations.

“We use Teltonika routers, which can be remotely controlled through the KeySIM VPN using a private IP address. Crucially, we can also manage them using SMS commands when required.

“Having no minimum contract is also important because covert equipment can sometimes be lost during a deployment. If that happens, we can cancel the SIM subscription immediately rather than continuing to pay for a device we no longer have. Our equipment is now used by hundreds of private investigators, so this flexibility and reliable connectivity are essential.”

Graham Robinson, Managing Director of KeySIM, said:

“The Covert Group designs and builds its own cameras and applications for highly sensitive security deployments. Those systems may be installed in remote or unpredictable locations where maintaining connectivity is extremely important.

“The combination of an unsteered multi-network IoT SIM, secure VPN access, a private IP address and SMS control gives authorised investigators several ways to communicate with their Teltonika routers and connected CCTV equipment remotely.

“Our no-minimum-contract service is also well suited to this type of work. If equipment is lost or can no longer be recovered, the customer can cancel the associated SIM subscription immediately.”