Cybersecurity of video surveillance systems. How to protect information - FACETER Облачное видеонаблюдение

Cybersecurity of video surveillance systems. How to protect information

24.09.2020
Денис Артемьев
Video Surveillance Industry

Cybersecurity of video surveillance systems. How to protect information

Technological advances in digital video surveillance mean that Internet-connected devices (IP cameras and related equipment) are at risk of cyber attacks. And since 2016, cybersecurity issues are regularly brought up to the public. The starting point in this matter is considered to be the massive attack on devices by the Mirai botnet, including video surveillance equipment, in the fall of 2016. At that time, not only numerous users of the Smart Home system suffered, but also companies such as Netflix, Twitter, Spotify. Since then, information system security has become an extremely important topic. This is what our article is about.

Weak spots in video surveillance systems

Practical experience says that the spots for cyber attacks in video monitoring systems are:

  • channels or lines of communication. Here we are talking about the connections between hardware, server and cloud, server and third party hardware. Attackers can use the method of interception, obstacles in data transmission, deliberate damage or alteration of information;
  • data bank, including archive recordings. Here, the loss of files, deliberate damage to the archive, substitution of material, as well as unauthorized viewing of information are possible;
  • equipment for video recording. Here we can talk about interference with the equipment software settings, as well as about illegal seizure of control and unauthorized viewing of information.

What do you need to defend against?

Cybercriminals are not interested in video surveillance systems themselves. They are seen as testing grounds (to hone skills) or as an intermediary (for hacking another organization).

You need to protect yourself from the human factor, which is divided into intruders and unskilled specialists, as well as from malicious software.

Information protection measures

In most cases, security measures for a video surveillance system are to regularly check the equipment with tests, refuse universal passwords, as well as limit the number of users and reduce physical access. Let us go one-by-one.

Penetration tests

A visual inspection of the equipment will never reveal the weak link of a video surveillance system. It is necessary to carry out program analysis in the following areas:

  • testing devices. The security of the IP system is evaluated. All elements, without exception, must be protected from cyber attacks;
  • testing the protocol. Here we are talking about the secure exchange of data with elements in the network, including the encryption reliability of transmission and impossibility of intercepting information during transmission;
  • software testing. Professional analysis is performed on buffer overflows, account reliability, and firmware updates.

Abandoning default password and login

Using default passwords is the #1 reason for vulnerability in any hardware. For security purposes, you need to install complex keys from the first days of using the equipment and creating a cyber security system. Naturally, there is no 100% guarantee against hacking, however, the more complex and less predictable the password, the less likely it is that attackers will be able to gain access.

Principle of minimum rights

The more people have privileged access to the system, the more likely cyber threats are. Privileged access means high-level access to IP video surveillance settings and data. It is necessary to limit the rights of access and control of the system to the minimum possible number.

Ways to ensure cybersecurity in video surveillance

All methods of protecting video surveillance systems can be classified as follows:

  • software protection (built-in). It can be a set of certain functions provided by the software manufacturer. For example, traffic encryption, protection against brute-force attacks, password protection of an exported archive, etc.
  • protection at the level of switching equipment. To secure the link, you only need to install control switches with encryption, auditing, and limited access.
  • user protection of video surveillance equipment. The effectiveness of this method is determined by the competence and conscientiousness of the installer. They are obliged to perform the following actions: change passwords and default settings, disable those functions that are not used, keep software up-to-date, etc. 

Protection in the Faceter service

The following review has been written about the best video surveillance services with recording. From the article you will learn that the leading provider of cloud services is the Faceter international company.

Faceter‘s smart video surveillance technology is based on blockchain and a decentralized network of miners. At the same time, the technology is 100% anonymous and uses the capabilities of ultra-precise neural networks to differentiate tasks. Therefore, confidential data is always processed in a completely trusted environment, and all personal video recordings are sent to a decentralized network. Only the owner of the system with a personal code can access the materials.

Get detailed information on Faceter’s smart video surveillance capabilities here.

To build a home or business security system on your own, read the article “Cloud video surveillance: 5 steps of building a system from scratch“.

Instead of a conclusion

Information security products, as an independent software designed for video surveillance systems, are rare. Therefore, it is advisable to focus on choosing a reliable provider of video monitoring services, as well as following the manufacturer’s recommendations when installing hardware and software. To get the most of your hands-on knowledge of cloud video surveillance, read the article “Cloud video surveillance system: 6 tips from an expert“.

Еще больше обзоров, кейсов и полезной информации о видеонаблюдении в нашем официальном Telegram-канале. Подписывайтесь, чтобы оставаться в курсе важных событий.

Денис Артемьев
Денис Артемьев
Специалист в области видеонаблюдения, видеоаналитики, облачных систем хранения данных. Консультант по вопросам интеграции систем и средств видеонаблюдения в различные сферы бизнеса. Опыт работы в отрасли более 10 лет.
Video Surveillance Industry
Опубликовано: 24.09.2020

интересное от Faceter

Silhouette Recognition: 3 Reasons for Implementing the System in the Moscow Region
In many public places in the Moscow region, the video surveillance systems began to introduce the function of “recognition of silhouettes of people.” Video surveillance in medical institutions, passenger transport,...
The level of responsibility of buildings and structures and video surveillance
Video surveillance performs the tasks of ensuring security in a particular territory. The more dangerous the object of observation, the more detailed it is necessary to approach the issue of...
Video surveillance of animals in the zoo: 6 reasons + live broadcasts
Watching wildlife is always an exciting activity. But sometimes, video surveillance of animals becomes vital for them. It’s about zoos. Yes, there is the staff who feed and look after...
Watch out! 7 unexpected places with hidden video surveillance
The installation of CCTV cameras is strictly regulated by Russian law. Violation of the laws is punishable by a fine and criminal liability. However, there are places where video surveillance...
Video surveillance at a construction site + crane video surveillance
The areas of objects covered by video surveillance are becoming wider. Cloud-based construction video surveillance has become accessible and relevant nowadays. There are many issues that video surveillance at the...
How to display the camera image on a monitor? 4 ways + Faceter
Users of the video surveillance system don’t always need to record a video file from a recorder. Sometimes it is enough to display the image from the camera on the...
Election surveillance cameras. 98% coverage at 50,000 polling stations.
Video surveillance is expanding its position. More and more often video surveillance is used not only by businesses, and private individuals in-home surveillance, but also by government agencies. No one...
Video surveillance repair. Common problems and 5 sources of breakdown
Any equipment, either simple or complex, eventually needs repairing. It is also true for video surveillance systems. Considering its functionality and the tasks performed, you need to have the surveillance...
Poor image of a video camera: 5 reasons and 12 solutions
The image of a video camera is one of the main points of a surveillance system. It is important to pay close attention to its condition. Why the picture from...
6 situations in life when a video camera is simply necessary
We are used to the fact that there are surveillance cameras in public places, in trading facilities. The need for video surveillance has also become relevant for private life. Affordability,...
Voltage drop and quality of video surveillance: 3 countermeasures
There are different indicators that affect the effectiveness of a video surveillance system. Today let’s talk about the voltage drop in the cable line of CCTV equipment. How to determine...
Cameras for computer vision: review and selection criteria
Computer vision (CV) is increasingly taking a position in the video surveillance market. This activity is justified because video monitoring systems with computer vision cameras are more accurate in their...
What is the computer vision technology? 2 tasks and self-study
It is already difficult to imagine a business facility, a territory, and dwellings without video surveillance. The need to install surveillance cameras in public places is established by law. Electronic...
Video surveillance and the Internet speed: 6 options for reducing consumption
It is extremely difficult to imagine one’s life without the Internet. Almost all human activity relies on the capabilities of the World Wide Web. It is often necessary to look...
Video recording of road accidents in the stream of vehicles. The solution for everyone.
It is not always possible to fairly understand who was at fault in the accident. Fear, desire to hide the details, and the lack of witnesses prevent a full-fledged proceeding....