CST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which subnet mask allows up to 254 usable host addresses on a single network segment? → 255.255.255.0
2. Which NVR/DVR maintenance task is best performed during a low-traffic recording period? → Firmware updates and system reboots
3. A technician is cleaning camera domes on a quarterly maintenance visit. Which cleaning agent should be avoided? → Ammonia-based glass cleaner
4. An NVR exports footage in MP4 format. A colleague suggests converting it to AVI 'for compatibility.' What is the correct response? → Do not convert; transcode only a working copy and preserve the original MP4 as evidence
5. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CST professional when a conflict of interest arises during preventive maintenance schedules activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
6. Which document should a technician reference to determine the manufacturer-recommended cleaning interval for a camera dome housing? → Installation manual or maintenance guide
7. An ethical surveillance professional should decline a client request when the requested surveillance would: → Facilitate stalking, harassment, or domestic abuse of another individual
8. Which standard must law enforcement meet to obtain a pen register order (capturing numbers dialed, not call content)? → Certification that the information is relevant to an ongoing investigation
9. What does a network intrusion detection system (NIDS) do in a surveillance environment? → Monitors network traffic for suspicious or malicious activity
10. An employer wants to monitor employee emails on a company-issued device using the company email server. Under the SCA, this is generally: → Permissible because the employer is the service provider
11. What is the purpose of a dewarping algorithm in a fisheye surveillance camera system? → Correct the barrel distortion in fisheye images to produce normal-looking video
12. What does a firewall rule denying outbound connections from an NVR to unknown external IP addresses help prevent? → Unauthorized data exfiltration or botnet communication
13. Which factor most directly determines how frequently outdoor cameras in harsh environments should receive preventive maintenance? → Environmental exposure level such as dust, humidity, and temperature extremes
14. When selecting cameras for an indoor retail environment, which feature is most important to prevent blind spots near shelving units? → Varifocal lens with wide minimum angle
15. Which video analytic feature would best help a retail store understand customer traffic flow patterns? → Heat mapping and people counting analytics
16. Which encryption standard is most commonly recommended for protecting stored video files on a VMS server? → AES-256
17. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CST professional when a conflict of interest arises during ip camera & poe networking activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
18. During an IP camera installation, the camera obtains an APIPA address (169.254.x.x) instead of a valid IP from the DHCP server. What is the most likely cause? → The DHCP server did not respond and the camera self-assigned a link-local address
19. Which of the following is a fundamental principle of fourth amendment & privacy laws as it applies to Certified Surveillance Technician? → Systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards
20. A CST professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing preventive maintenance schedules duties. What is the most appropriate first action? → Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding
21. Which factor has the GREATEST impact on the storage capacity required for a surveillance system? → The resolution, frame rate, and compression codec used
22. The Stored Communications Act (SCA), part of ECPA, governs access to: → Emails and other communications stored by electronic service providers
23. Which quality assurance method is most commonly applied in intrusion detection & monitoring to verify that CST professional standards are being met? → Structured audits, peer reviews, and performance metrics aligned with industry benchmarks
24. What document must accompany exported video evidence to maintain admissibility throughout its custody lifecycle? → A chain of custody form signed by each person who handled the evidence
25. A security consultant recommends 'volumetric detection' for a high-value storage room. Which sensor type best fulfills this requirement? → Microwave or PIR sensors covering the interior space
26. During a surveillance installation, you discover that the total cable run to a distant camera will be 320 feet of Cat6. What is the likely concern? → The run exceeds the 328-foot (100m) Ethernet specification limit
27. When mounting a camera outdoors on a pole subject to high winds, what mechanical specification is most critical? → Wind load rating of the mount
28. What is role-based access control (RBAC) in the context of a surveillance system? → Assigning specific permissions to users based on their job function
29. What is the primary function of an analog-to-digital encoder (video encoder) in a surveillance system? → Convert analog camera signals into digital IP streams for network transmission
30. Which standard governs the testing and listing requirements for access control system units in the United States? → UL 294