Industry Focus

Walking the Walk

If you attended ISC West last month, you already know the tradeshow was a smashing success. I suppose there are a few that weren’t completely satisfied, but I think overall, this year’s Las Vegas event experienced a well-received outcome. I loaded my schedule as full as possible and still didn’t have enough time to take it all in.

There were several takeaways from the show floor that we’re going to see a lot more of in 2017, and beyond. For starters, cybersecurity is now more than an up and coming concern. Everyone has this as a top of mind concern because once the network is safe, the security equipment will work at its optimum ability. I think we’re going to see camera manufacturers taking another hard look at how to secure the network. They’ve been talking about it, but now it’s time to walk the walk.

Physical and logical security depend on each other, so it is surprising to find that a number of companies still treat them separately, from both a device management and government agencies perspective. Until recently, this was justified because the technology to integrate physical and logical security was not available. Regarding security, most organizations have at least three buying and control centers. The first two are primarily concerned with IP theft, malware and viruses. NetOps handles network security, while InfoSec manages data at rest and data in transit security. The third is physical security, which includes surveillance and access control. In most organizations, the guard at the gates is a separate operations center.

Cybersecurity, meanwhile, depends greatly on physical security. Attackers who can gain physical access to a computer can almost always take advantage of that access to further their efforts. Merely getting access to a physical terminal where a memory device can be plugged in is usually sufficient. Any device present that is connected to the network must be protected to ensure that it cannot be turned into a tool to be used in an attack.

The lack of integration between physical and cybersecurity creates some following challenges.

  • No single system to identify a person’s identity because each functional security department controls its own identity database.
  • Increased potential for theft.
  • Lack of IT management and application of best practices applied to physical security devices, or a lack of best practices applied consistently across departments or organizations.
  • Lack of physical monitoring of logical security devices that can detect tampering; that is, unauthorized access to a logical security device console.

Like all effective security, cyber security is about the depth of your defense. It’s about appropriately protecting your IP camera network at every level—from the products you choose and the partners you work with to the requirements they, and you, set.

Your first layer of defense is choosing network video products with built-in protection: We make sure you can apply the security controls you need to mitigate the threats you face. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to cyber crime, your second layer of defense is a good understanding of the threats you face, their potential costs and how to protect yourself.

Begin with best practices, timely response and transparency. Any end user should apply cybersecurity best practices in the design, development and testing of our products to minimize the risk of flaws that could be exploited in an attack. When critical vulnerabilities are discovered they should be fixed promptly and issue security advisories.

Your best cyber offense is a great cyber defense.

This article originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Hot AI Chatbot DeepSeek Comes Loaded With Privacy, Data Security Concerns

    In the artificial intelligence race powered by American companies like OpenAI and Google, a new Chinese rival is upending the market—even with the possible privacy and data security issues. Read Now

  • Survey: CISOs Increasing Budgets for Crisis Simulations in 2025

    Today, Cyber Performance Center, Hack The Box, released new data showcasing the perspectives of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) towards cyber preparedness in 2025. In the aftermath of 2024’s high-profile cybersecurity incidents, including NHS, CrowdStrike, TfL, 23andMe, and Cencora, CISOs are reassessing their organization’s readiness to manage a potential “chaos” of a full-scale cyber crisis. Read Now

  • Human Risk Management: A Silver Bullet for Effective Security Awareness Training

    You would think in a world where cybersecurity breaches are frequently in the news, that it wouldn’t require much to convince CEOs and C-suite leaders of the value and importance of security awareness training (SAT). Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Read Now

  • Windsor Port Authority Strengthens U.S.-Canada Border Waterway Safety, Security

    Windsor Port Authority, one of just 17 national ports created by the 1999 Canada Marine Act, has enhanced waterway safety and security across its jurisdiction on the U.S.-Canada border with state-of-the-art cameras from Axis Communications. These cameras, combined with radar solutions from Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc., provide the port with the visibility needed to prevent collisions, better detect illegal activity, and save lives along the river. Read Now

New Products

  • Hanwha QNO-7012R

    Hanwha QNO-7012R

    The Q Series cameras are equipped with an Open Platform chipset for easy and seamless integration with third-party systems and solutions, and analog video output (CVBS) support for easy camera positioning during installation. A suite of on-board intelligent video analytics covers tampering, directional/virtual line detection, defocus detection, enter/exit, and motion detection.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.