Abstract: A security system. The security system comprises N surveillance nodes, where N is greater than or equal to 17 and is an integer. Each surveillance node providing a video source of a scene of a location of the surveillance node. The security system comprises a monitoring node having a display in communication with the N surveillance nodes. The security system comprises a controller which simultaneously continuously shows on the display a live scene of the surveillance node when a predetermined event occurs at the surveillance node, and a recorded scene of the node for a predetermined time which spans before, during and after the predetermined event, the controller in communication with the monitoring node and the N surveillance nodes. Alternatively, N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, and the security system comprises an ATM network through which the N surveillance nodes, the monitoring node and the controller communicate. A method for maintaining security.