SIRA CCTV Requirements: Complete Guide for 2026

What is SIRA?

The Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) is the government body in Dubai responsible for regulating the private security industry. Established under the Dubai Government, SIRA oversees the licensing, installation, and maintenance of all electronic security systems — including CCTV surveillance, access control, and intruder alarm systems.

Any business or residential property installing a CCTV system in Dubai must comply with SIRA's technical standards. Non-compliance can result in fines, system shutdowns, or rejection of project handover.

Who Needs SIRA Approval?

SIRA approval is mandatory for virtually all CCTV installations in Dubai, including:

• Commercial properties (offices, retail, warehouses)
• Residential buildings and compounds
• Hospitality venues (hotels, restaurants)
• Educational institutions
• Healthcare facilities
• Industrial and logistics facilities
• Government and semi-government buildings

Whether you're a security integrator, a consultant, or a facility manager, your CCTV system design must meet SIRA's requirements before installation begins.

CCTV Technical Requirements

Camera Specifications

• Minimum resolution: 2MP (1080p) for all cameras; 4MP recommended for critical areas
• Frame rate: Minimum 15fps during recording; 25fps recommended
• Night vision: IR range appropriate for the coverage area (minimum 30m for outdoor cameras)
• Weather rating: IP66 or higher for outdoor installations
• Vandal resistance: IK10 rating for accessible cameras

Coverage Requirements

• All entry and exit points must have face-recognition-quality coverage
• Perimeter coverage with no blind spots
• Parking areas with full coverage of vehicle entry/exit
• Lobbies, corridors, and common areas
• Stairwells and elevator lobbies
• Loading docks and service entrances
• Cash handling and high-value storage areas

Storage and Retention

• Minimum retention: 30 days for standard installations
• Extended retention: 90 days for financial institutions and critical infrastructure
• Recording mode: Continuous recording (24/7) is mandatory — motion-only recording is not accepted
• Redundancy: RAID 5 or RAID 6 storage configurations recommended
• Remote access: System must support remote viewing by authorities upon request

Documentation Requirements

• Site floor plan with camera positions marked
• Camera schedule (model, location, field of view)
• Bill of quantities (BOQ) for all equipment
• Network diagram showing NVR/DVR connectivity
• Storage calculation showing compliance with retention period
• Single-line diagram of power distribution

The SIRA Submission Process

1. Design phase: Create compliant CCTV system design with all required documentation
2. Register on SIRA portal: Submit the project through SIRA's online platform (requires an approved security company license)
3. Document upload: Upload all design documents, floor plans, and camera schedules
4. Review period: SIRA reviews the submission (typically 5-10 business days)
5. Approval or revision: Receive approval certificate or revision requests with specific feedback
6. Installation: Proceed with installation only after receiving approval
7. Completion certificate: Request final inspection and receive completion certificate

How Securify Helps with SIRA Compliance

Securify is purpose-built for security professionals working in Dubai. The platform automates the most time-consuming parts of SIRA-compliant design:

• Automatic camera placement: AI-assisted placement that ensures coverage requirements are met
• Storage calculator: Built-in calculations that factor in resolution, FPS, codec, and retention period
• SIRA-ready exports: Generate submission-ready PDFs with camera schedules, floor plans, and BOQ in SIRA's expected format
• Revision tracking: If SIRA requests changes, easily update and re-export without starting from scratch
• Compliance validation: Real-time checks that flag non-compliant specifications before you submit

Instead of spending hours formatting documents and manually verifying compliance, Securify lets you focus on the design while the platform handles the paperwork.