Cyber Security in Video Surveillance: 10 Important Tips to Discuss
Believe it or not, cyber security attacks are responsible for the fall and eventual bankruptcy of billion dollar companies. It’s true, cyber attacks can extract some of the most critical and even compromise video surveillance, while leaving your organization at the mercy of nefarious groups and individuals.
As you know, a cyber attack is when the availability, integrity and confidentiality of a security system is compromised. According to recent studies at the University of Maryland, a cyber hack takes place at least once every 39 seconds in the United States. In many instances, usernames and passwords are the subject of a cyber attack but either way, these studies conclude that one in three Americans will experience a cyber attack in the upcoming year.
As for video surveillance, most facilities opt for advanced internet protocol (IP) cameras to monitor their security systems. However, this also means that certain systems and networks are left exposed to cyber hackers and steps must be taken to ensure these areas are fully secure and up to date.
But why might cyber-attacks be on the rise and how can you secure your video surveillance?
Well, let’s firstly take a look at the motivations behind these cyber attacks.
How Cyber Attacks Can Impact an Organization
Now, the purpose of this article is not to spread fear but rather to help educate in terms of the serious risks associated with cyber attacks. You see, cyber attacks will lead to a temporary disruption and an expensive lawsuit at best. On the other hand, a virus can overwrite critical data in your security system and remove access to video surveillance. It’s a frightening experience when it happens and this is all before those hackers take advantage of customer or third-party data.
Just so you know, when video surveillance is hacked, this means that cameras can be controlled by nefarious individuals. As if that’s not enough, confidential footage can be stolen and published online, and all of these incidents will do nothing but harm to the organization in question.
With this in mind, that’s exactly how the above mentioned billion dollar companies went bankrupt!
Anyway, you get the point, a data breach can cause untold destruction for any organization.
The Rising Motivations Behind Cyber Attacks in the United States
Confidentiality is a big deal in the United States and many laws pertain to the protection of customer data in particular. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was incepted last year and this requires organizations to report cyber attack to the Information commissioner.Most notably, this also places responsibility on your organization to protect against cyber attacks.
Think about it: credit card numbers, names, and addresses – this is information that can leave a customer unknowingly exposed in the worst possible way. In case you might be asking yourself, cyber attackers can not only disrupt systems but also demand a ransom in exchange for peace-of-mind and return to the norm for your organization.
Moral of the story: Organizations have everything to lose and cyber attackers can benefit financially from compromising your systems and information.
10 Tips to Prevent Cyber Security Attacks through Video Surveillance Cameras
1. Using HTTPS/SSL Encryption at All Times
You must only transmit video data over SSL encrypted internet which we refer to as “Https”. Just so you know, HTTPS is an encrypted version of HTTP and ensures that your chosen WiFi network is safe and secure when it comes to transmitting data.
2. Knowing the Importance of Scheduled Maintenance
With the current climate online, you cannot underestimate the importance of updating your website on a regular basis. In fact, ‘maintenance’ is not just a way to improve a website but also a tool to help secure your customer and company data.
3. Social Engineering is a Real Threat
Cyber hackers are well versed with every weakness and vulnerability online. If they cannot attack your website directly, they will often look for personal data on social media or elsewhere that you might have information available to the public. In this sense, it’s important to check and adjust whatever information is posted on social media profiles etc.
4. Backing Up Data Often
Prevention is the best approach for cyber hacking but that does not mean you should not prepare for any such event. For instance, it’s essential to back up your data as much as possible and use a cloud to retain copies of your most critical data. After all, some hackers just want to destroy your data and the cost of storage will potentially save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
5. Implementing Two-Step Password Authentication
You must know about two-factor authentication? You can use this process to add another layer of security to the log in process. It’s straight forward and very effective and simply means that access will require a confirmation email or quick push notification on a cell phone.
6. Protecting Against Identify Theft
Identify theft is common and an easy way for hackers to use personal data to carry out deception or fraud. It can happen when email accounts or profiles are compromised and this can essentially provide access to video surveillance. Using a virtual private network VPN can help you avoid this scenario and make sure that only you (and your team) can gain access to systems.
7. Change the Default Settings on Your Video Surveillance
Log in processes usually come with standard settings and login information. It’s important to change these settings and ensure the video surveillance is not accessible via generic or default settings. After all, many hackers are already familiar with default settings when it comes to security systems and this is the very first way they will likely attempt to compromise your system.
8. Implementing a Password Policy
There’s a reason why the most secure video surveillance systems require a new password every few weeks. In fact, some organizations insist on users changing their username and password on a weekly basis. Either way, you should implement a similar policy and make sure that users can only set long passwords that feature numerical and sign characters as part of the password.
9. Updating Firmware is Essential
Most manufactures will provide regular updates for IP cameras and these updates are essential for securing their system. You see, certain patches are even designed to take measures against new threats in the cyber hacking world and without these updates, video surveillance might be exposed.
10. Collaborating with a Security Systems Integrator
If you want things done right, it should go without saying that a security systems integrator like SecureTower will ensure that you have the most advanced and secure video surveillance. It’s true, cyber hackers are coming up with new ways and counter approaches every day and professionals like SecureTower are the only reliable way to protect against this relentless lineup of threats. Finally, you might not be a billion-dollar company but every organization is vulnerable to cyber attacks and the cost of securing your video surveillance is nothing next to the peace-of-mind that you will find from implementing a safe, secure and powerful video surveillance security system.
