Who Needs to Be SIRA-Compliant?
SIRA (Security Industry Regulatory Agency) compliance is mandatory for businesses in Dubai operating in regulated sectors including hospitality, retail, healthcare, education, and financial services. Non-compliance risks fines and can void insurance claims after incidents.
Step 1: Identify Your SIRA Category
SIRA categorises businesses by risk level (A, B, C). Category A (highest risk — jewellery, banks, hotels) has the strictest requirements.
If you are unsure of your category, check your trade licence sector or contact SIRA directly at www.sira.gov.ae.
Step 2: The 10-Point SIRA Compliance Checklist
Walk your premises with this checklist:
| Check | SIRA Requirement | Your Status |
|---|---|---|
| Camera resolution | Minimum 2MP general, 4MP at entries | Pass / Fail |
| Frame rate | Minimum 15fps | Pass / Fail |
| Storage retention | Minimum 30 days | Pass / Fail |
| NVR location | Locked, secure room | Pass / Fail |
| Coverage — entries | All entry/exit covered, no blind spots | Pass / Fail |
| Coverage — cashier | All POS/cashier points covered | Pass / Fail |
| Remote access | NVR accessible for authority review | Pass / Fail |
| Brand approval | Cameras on SIRA approved list | Pass / Fail |
| Installation certificate | SIRA-licensed installer | Pass / Fail |
| Maintenance record | Annual service log maintained | Pass / Fail |
If you have more than 2 Fail marks, you need remediation before an inspection.
Step 3: Check Your Camera Resolution
Log into your NVR admin panel. Check each camera's stream settings. If any camera shows resolution below 1080p (2MP), it is non-compliant.
Compare your camera model against the SIRA approved product list. Cameras not on the list — even if high resolution — may not be accepted.
Step 4: Check Retention
On the NVR, go to storage settings. Calculate: (number of cameras × GB per day × 30 days). If your hard drive capacity is less than this, you are not achieving 30-day retention.
Most non-compliant systems fail on retention — NVRs installed with 500GB or 1TB drives when 4TB to 6TB is required.
Step 5: Coverage Gaps
Print or photograph your floor plan. Mark each camera and its coverage area. Identify any entry/exit points, cashier stations, or high-value areas without direct coverage.
Step 6: Remediation Priority
| Priority | Issue | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | No coverage of main entry | Install camera immediately |
| Critical | Storage under 30 days | Replace or add HDDs |
| High | Cameras below 2MP | Replace camera heads |
| Medium | Not on approved brand list | Phase replacement |
| Low | Documentation gaps | Update records |
SAS IT provides SIRA compliance audits and remediation for Dubai businesses. Book an audit | +971-526716178
*Related: Commercial CCTV Installation Dubai | IT AMC Dubai*
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