5 Security Camera System Best Practices

5 Security Camera System Best Practices

Security camera systems are becoming increasingly connected to the internet. Today’s surveillance systems range from cloud-managed systems to traditional recording systems connected to the internet to systems connected by a local network (which is in turn connected to the internet).

The rising amount of cyber attacks requires physical security integrators and internal support staff to stay up-to-date on attack vectors, which can affect camera management systems. With that in mind, here are the best security camera system practices that you can implement to prevent potential cyber attacks.

Update your camera passwords

Cameras with poor passwords can easily be accessed by outsiders. A 2014 Network World article cited a website which exposed 73,011 IP camera systems from 256 countries with default passwords. The US ranked first on the list with 11,046 links, where each link could lead to between eight and 16 cameras.

Today, nearly all cameras sold come with a default username and password which is published on the internet. Many installers fail to change the password and leave the same default password for all cameras, making their security system extremely vulnerable to potential cyber attacks.

To prevent cyber attacks in both traditional and cloud-managed systems, assign a unique, long, and non-obvious password to each camera. Although the process takes time to set up, it leaves your security system protected against hacks. Create different strong passwords for each camera on a public network and create one strong password for all cameras on a physical, private network.

Use a cloud-managed system

Video accessibility from mobile devices, or port forwarding, creates a dangerous exposure to the internet, as there are a large number of malicious exploits that can be used to obtain access. In fact, security systems open to the internet are typically scanned over 10,000 times a day.

While traditional systems should be left disconnected from the internet, secure cloud-managed systems do not have port forwarding, so no vulnerability exists. Some companies offer a hyper-secure security camera system without security gaps.

Additionally, they feature end-to-end encryption and systems without a single point of failure, as storage is dispersed within each camera and on the cloud.

Configure your firewall

Any on-premise DVR/NVR/VMS system requires a firewall for protection, especially if it’s exposed to the internet for remote access. In a traditional system, it’s best to enlist the services of a professional network security expert to verify and configure a secure firewall.

On the other hand, cloud-managed systems do not require on-site firewall configurations due to their lack of port forwarding.

Update operating system passwords

Like camera passwords, weak operating system passwords can create an opportunity for cyber attacks on the surveillance system and network. In the majority of OS environments, the administrator password is shared among all admins, creating a larger security risk.

In a traditional system, it’s crucial to set long, high-quality passwords and establish procedures for changing passwords. For example, the administrator password should be changed each time an employee with password access leaves the company.

For cloud-managed systems, no access is required since separate passwords are not required for OS access. Instead, system passwords for individual accounts are automatically deleted with employees leave.

Encrypt connection equipment

There are a surprising number of DVR/NVR/VMS systems using connections that are not encrypted with SSL. Failing to encrypt connection equipment results in password vulnerability and creates a risk for breaches of privacy.

In both traditional and cloud-managed system, it’s imperative to encrypt connection equipment with SSL. For traditional systems, make sure to only choose vendors who encrypt their connections. While most cloud vendors provide encryption, make sure to confirm with your vendor.

The desire for remote access and control, as well as drastically reduced cloud storage costs, have led security camera systems to become increasingly internet-connected. As more and more surveillance systems become connected to the internet, the prevalence of cyber attacks continues to rise.

Taking simple steps to prevent cyber attacks on your security systems will protect you in the long-run against further vulnerabilities.