One example of how Surveillance Bridge can extend XProtect storage is by enabling organizations to use Amazon S3 for short and longer-term video retention.
XProtect uses file-based storage for its media database and archives. Amazon S3, however, is highly resilient object storage rather than a traditional file system. Therefore, XProtect cannot use S3 directly without using Surveillance Bridge.
In this configuration, recent recordings can remain on higher-performance storage connected to the XProtect Recording Server, while Surveillance Bridge manages when older video is moved to S3 based on settings configured for the deployment. For this workflow, Surveillance Bridge manages the replication and movement of recordings rather than using the native XProtect archiving function. Any desired data is immediately replicated to S3 for data protection and disaster recovery. Older video can also transition to lower-cost S3 storage classes, including S3 Glacier tiers, based on how long recordings need to be retained and how frequently they are expected to be accessed.
Even after recordings move to S3, they remain instantly accessible through XProtect. When older footage is needed, Surveillance Bridge makes it available to the system without requiring operators to manage a separate cloud archive. This helps organizations balance storage performance, capacity and cost as retention requirements grow.
This storage model can support both XProtect deployments running entirely in AWS and hybrid environments where XProtect infrastructure remains on premises while cloud storage provides disaster recovery and also extends retention.
A real-world example from the City of Fishers
The City of Fishers, Indiana, used this type of hybrid approach as its camera count and long-term storage requirements grew. The city integrated its existing XProtect system with AWS through Surveillance Bridge, keeping 10 days of recorded video on-site before moving older recordings to AWS for archiving.
This approach allowed Fishers to expand its video storage without continuing to grow its on-premises storage infrastructure at the same rate. The city reported reduced hardware and storage costs along with a more predictable operating model as its video needs continued to grow.
