With their increasing complexity and functionality, modern security cameras should be regarded as the computers that they actually are and be protected accordingly. Modern IP cameras are computers and as such they are vulnerable to attack.
Businesses tend to forget this as they don’t look like PCs and they are invariably installed above eye line. Out of sight – out of mind. But make no mistake; each one has a processor, memory, an operating system and, crucially, access to your network. All organisations can take basic steps to reduce their exposure to incursion via their cameras.
It is simple to do but it is still an overhead and so are you actually doing it? Manufacturers regularly update camera firmware to protect against exploits. You need easy access to the current firmware version of all of your cameras and bring them up to date with the manufacturers’ latest version.
Check that every camera has password protection turned on. Apply a strong password and if you can, change the default admin name. Change camera passwords regularly and if staff leave, consider changing the passwords again.
Direct access to the Internet, really? Access cameras only via a Security Management System, NVR, DVR or VMS and make sure that it resides behind a firewall.
Think, is the network traffic between your cameras and NVR encrypted? Think again. Many systems do not even use SSL. This makes them vulnerable to eavesdropping. Always check.
Even basic models of cameras are now wireless capable. Turn this feature off. If you really can’t do this then ensure that it is encrypted with WPA2 as a minimum.
