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. A technician is cleaning camera domes on a quarterly maintenance visit. Which cleaning agent should be avoided? → Ammonia-based glass cleaner
3. 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
4. An ethical surveillance professional should decline a client request when the requested surveillance would: → Facilitate stalking, harassment, or domestic abuse of another individual
5. What does a network intrusion detection system (NIDS) do in a surveillance environment? → Monitors network traffic for suspicious or malicious activity
6. What does a firewall rule denying outbound connections from an NVR to unknown external IP addresses help prevent? → Unauthorized data exfiltration or botnet communication
7. Which encryption standard is most commonly recommended for protecting stored video files on a VMS server? → AES-256
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. Which factor has the GREATEST impact on the storage capacity required for a surveillance system? → The resolution, frame rate, and compression codec used
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. When mounting a camera outdoors on a pole subject to high winds, what mechanical specification is most critical? → Wind load rating of the mount
17. What is role-based access control (RBAC) in the context of a surveillance system? → Assigning specific permissions to users based on their job function
18. Which standard governs the testing and listing requirements for access control system units in the United States? → UL 294
19. What does DVR stand for in a surveillance system? → Digital Video Recorder
20. What is one of the legal consequences of unauthorized surveillance in certain areas? → Criminal charges, fines, or lawsuits for privacy violations.
21. When pulling cable through conduit during a surveillance installation, what is the maximum fill ratio recommended to prevent cable damage and overheating? → 25% of the conduit's cross-sectional area for one cable, 40% for multiple cables
22. When installing a camera to monitor a server room door, what field of view angle is ideal for capturing both the door and the face of individuals entering? → 25-35 degree narrow angle aimed at the doorway entrance at face height
23. Which quality assurance method is most commonly applied in fourth amendment & privacy laws to verify that CST professional standards are being met? → Structured audits, peer reviews, and performance metrics aligned with industry benchmarks
24. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CST professional when a conflict of interest arises during cctv camera selection & placement activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
25. A VMS is configured to record in 'continuous + event' mode. What does this mean? → It records continuously at low frame rate and switches to high frame rate during events
26. What is the primary advantage of an NVR over a DVR for modern surveillance installations? → NVRs process video data from IP cameras directly over the network
27. What does 'mean time between failures' (MTBF) data help a surveillance technician determine when building a preventive maintenance schedule? → Expected component lifespan to schedule proactive replacement before failure
28. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CST professional when a conflict of interest arises during intrusion detection & monitoring activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
29. An IP camera's video stream exhibits high latency and frame drops. Network testing shows 15% packet loss on the link. What is the first step to resolve this? → Inspect and replace the Ethernet cable or connector
30. What is the function of DHCP snooping on a switch where IP cameras are installed? → It prevents rogue DHCP servers from assigning unauthorized IP addresses