The safety of individuals as well as commercial interests is a priority for many. The use of CCTV can be beneficial as it is the eyes and ears of public and private areas when no one else is present, and can act as a deterrent to criminal acts. 

Recent reports in the local Dubai press touch on the issue of the use of CCTV in Dubai, and specifically refer to a new Dubai law which amends Dubai Law No. 24 of 2008 ‘Regarding Security Service Providers and Users'. Law No. 24 of 2008 requires “important commercial sectors” of Dubai to meet and satisfy security specifications under the Executive Regulations of Law No. 24 of 2008 (“Executive Regulations”).  These important commercial sectors include hotel, financial institutions, large department stores, and essentially all places that are highly vulnerable to risks or threats due to the type or value of commodities they deal in or services they provide.