Safeguard Your Video Surveillance Network from Cyber Threats
Every component of a video security system is vulnerable to cyberattacks. It’s no longer a question of “if” an attack will happen, but “when.” As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, ensuring the security of your surveillance systems is more critical than ever. At MCA, we specialize in advanced surveillance solutions and understand the complexities of protecting video security systems from exploitation. The first line of defense lies at the edge of your system – your security cameras.
By following these ten practical steps, you can fortify your devices and establish a robust cybersecurity strategy to safeguard your surveillance network. Let MCA’s expertise guide you in safeguarding your system against modern threats.
Step 1: Inventory All Security Cameras
Many organizations use various camera models from different manufacturers to meet their diverse needs. For example, a highway camera serves a vastly different purpose than one in a parking lot or an airport’s immigration area. However, managing a wide array of cameras across multiple sites can make tracking an organization’s devices challenging.
The first step in fortifying your system is effective asset management—know what you have. If your cameras are already connected to video management software (VMS), you essentially have a ready-made list to get started.
Step 2: Evaluate Which Cameras to Retain
Cybersecurity priorities vary between organizations, depending on the level of risk they face. For example, a restaurant chain with three locations might require less stringent protections than a national energy provider. With this in mind, assess your organization’s specific needs to decide which cameras to keep.
Here are some criteria to include in your evaluation checklist:
- HTTPS Support: Cameras with HTTPS capabilities encrypt communication, reducing the risk of interception between the camera, the VMS client, or server.
- Tamper Detection: Some advanced cameras detect physical or digital tampering. If a camera is well-secured physically, this feature may be less essential, but it could be a mandatory requirement for theft insurance policies.
- Cybersecurity Policies and Certifications: Consider cameras from manufacturers that offer vulnerability-reporting mechanisms, incident-response teams, ISO/IEC 27001 certification, or independent penetration testing. These credentials are especially crucial for sectors such as defense, healthcare, and critical infrastructure.
Step 3: Inspect Physical Installation and Cabling
Proper physical installation plays a key role in protecting security cameras. Begin by ensuring cameras are mounted in hard-to-reach locations, but balance this with operational needs. For instance, facial recognition requires cameras to be positioned at face level, while license plate cameras work better when mounted around 10 feet (three meters) above the ground.
Other key recommendations include:
- Use Protective Casings For Cameras: These casings shield cameras from theft, damage, or tampering attempts.
- Protect Exposed Cables With Conduits: This prevents cables from being cut, unplugged, or otherwise tampered with, while also offering weatherproofing for outdoor installations.
- Encrypt Camera Sd Cards: If physical security measures fail, encryption ensures that data on the SD card remains inaccessible without the decryption key, even if the card is removed.
Step 4: Update Camera Firmware Regularly
Firmware updates frequently address known vulnerabilities, making them essential for cybersecurity. However, several factors should be considered before updating firmware:
- Device Lifecycle: If the camera is nearing the end of its lifespan, updating may not be worthwhile.
- Feature Compatibility: Ensure the firmware update does not eliminate critical functions you depend on.
- Driver Support: Verify that your VMS has updated drivers compatible with your cameras’ latest firmware.
- Source Verification: Always download updates from the camera manufacturer’s website and confirm the authenticity via checksums.
- Testing: Test updates on a few cameras before deploying system-wide to avoid disruptions.
Use a VMS to track which firmware versions your cameras are running. This often allows you to update devices in bulk or individually with efficiency.
Step 5: Update Camera Drivers
Keeping camera drivers up to date ensures compatibility with your VMS, particularly after firmware updates. Drivers are typically available on your VMS provider’s website. For example, Milestone’s XProtect VMS updates drivers on the recording server, which temporarily halts recording during the process. To minimize downtime, consider having a backup solution in place.
Step 6: Automate Password Protection
Factory-set admin credentials are an easy entry point for attackers. Even if you only have a single security camera, double-check that it doesn’t still use the default admin account and password. While many modern cameras no longer have this factory option, older models often do. Remember, just one vulnerable camera can compromise your entire system.
For improved security:
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Ideally, no one should know or manually create camera passwords. Instead, use a Video Management System (VMS) to generate complex passwords automatically. This approach minimizes the risk of passwords being shared, remembered, or reused, and makes brute-force attacks significantly harder.
- Leverage Bulk Updates: For larger installations, a VMS can streamline password management by allowing you to update passwords across multiple cameras simultaneously. This ensures consistent security practices and saves time.
Step 7: Use a Separate VLAN for Cameras
Isolating your cameras on a dedicated VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) prevents attackers from accessing other parts of your system. Smaller organizations can configure separate VLANs for cameras and the VMS client with a single switch that communicates with the server. Larger organizations can add a third VLAN for sensors, file servers, or employee systems, adding another layer of security while sharing physical infrastructure.
Step 8: Enable Port Security on Managed Switches
For organizations with high regulatory compliance needs or extensive security systems, managed switches offer advanced protection. Implementing the IEEE 802.1X authentication protocol ensures that cameras communicate only with authorized switches. When reviewing your camera inventory, confirm that your hardware supports 802.1X to improve overall system security.
Step 9: Encrypt Video Security Data
Encryption strengthens data security during both storage and transmission.
- Encryption in Transit: Protocols like HTTPS or Media Access Control Security (MACsec) ensure data transmitted from cameras to switches is protected. This is especially useful for outdoor or publicly accessible cameras.
- Encryption at Rest: To protect stored footage, use algorithms like AES-256, which is widely regarded as the gold standard for encryption and is commonly used by government agencies.
Step 10: Implement Digital Signing for Footage
Digital signing provides an additional layer of accountability, essential for law enforcement and other sectors where video evidence plays a critical role. Platforms like XProtect VMS offer features that allow digital signatures to be applied during both recording and export. The unaltered video is securely signed, with signatures accompanying the media database to verify authenticity.
Cybersecurity for cameras in a video management system requires a proactive, comprehensive approach. By following these ten steps, you can significantly strengthen your organization’s defenses, ensuring your security network remains resilient against potential cyber threats.
MCA Surveillance Solutions
At MCA, we specialize in designing, deploying, installing, and maintaining robust security infrastructures tailored to meet the unique needs of our customers. Our comprehensive support includes both standard and advanced Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensuring that systems remain operational and optimized at all times.
For organizations seeking even greater flexibility and security, we offer advanced programs such as Managed Technology as a Service (MTaaS) and SecurePlan. These programs provide end-to-end management, proactive monitoring, and continuous updates, giving you peace of mind that your security network is always protected against evolving threats.
With MCA as your trusted partner, you can confidently strengthen the safety and security of your critical assets.
About MCA
MCA is one of the largest and most trusted technology integrators in the United States, offering world-class voice, data, and security solutions that enhance the quality, safety, and productivity of customers, operations, and lives.
More than 65,000 customers trust MCA to provide carefully researched solutions for a safe, secure, and more efficient workplace. As your trusted advisor, we reduce the time and effort needed to research, install, and maintain the right solutions to make your workplace better.
Our team of certified professionals across the United States delivers a full suite of reliable technologies with a service-first approach. The MCA advantage is our extensive service portfolio to support the solution lifecycle from start to finish.
