After deciding to invest in a security system, the last thing you want to worry about is hackers. Unfortunately, no security system– whether it be DIY or professionally installed– is completely immune. In fact, any device that has internet access can theoretically be hacked. Nonetheless, there are numerous best practices that, when implemented, can drastically lower your chance of a security breach. But first, let’s discuss the back-end procedures that security systems developers already have in place to protect against unwanted access.
How Vulnerable Is Your Security System?
First, most professionally monitored systems use end-to-end encryption– a secure communication process that “scrambles” messages. This encryption process prevents any unwanted third party from accessing data while it is moving from one device– like a security camera– to another, such as a mobile app. In turn, it is necessary to ensure any applications linked to your security system are up to date at all times. This action alone will drastically lower your risk of being hacked.
Additionally, security companies that utilize technicians and professional installers also have their own strict guidelines to protect against any internal tampering. And after news surfaced in 2020 about an ADT technician who had been spying on hundreds of customers for nearly five years, numerous security companies have become more transparent about their strict personnel procedures.
For example, Comcast now limits exactly how much technicians can access while helping customers. Some of these restrictions block technicians from adding additional email addresses to security accounts, while others prohibit access to any security footage.
Resolute puts access privileges into their own customers’ hands. Only they can decide who is granted access to their security feeds. And, internally, the company conducts regularly scheduled audits of all systems.
So, How Can Your Security System Be Hacked?
There are two main ways that a hacker could gain access to your security system’s feed. One is local, while the other is remote.
For a security system to be accessed locally, the hacker would need to be physically on your camera network or within a certain distance of the wireless network your system is linked to. Once on the network, there are numerous ways to infiltrate the network– such as guessing your password or jamming the network altogether. However, local hacks are highly unlikely to affect you since this kind of security system attack requires strong intent, personal targeting, and often physical access. In turn, this method should not be a large concern.
On the other hand, remote hacking is a much more common method of unwanted access breaches since they can occur from anywhere. For example, a data leak in which your login information ends up in the wrong hands may be enough. Or, using the same password for numerous accounts on the internet can also increase your security risk.
Will You Know If Your Security System Has Been Hacked?
Unfortunately, security breaches can be very hard to detect without the help of professionals. One red flag to watch out for, though, might be worsening security camera performance. If a hacker is attempting to access your camera, you may notice slower system processing. Still, slower performance may also be a result of poor internet connection among other factors. So, it is important to make conscious security decisions, beginning right when you purchase a security system. Regular monitoring of your system by your security partner is often the best way to identify a hack.
Steps To Protecting Your Privacy
First and foremost, make sure that any security system you purchase is from a reputable manufacturer. This is necessary regardless of if you prefer a DIY device over a professionally monitored system. Additionally, ensure that all cameras purchased use end-to-end encryption in order to prevent any third-party access.
There are also numerous precautionary steps that you can take as a user. For example, make sure that any login credentials cannot be easily guessed or inferred. Moreover, your security system password should not be a phrase used for any other accounts on the internet. Another essential step is ensuring that your security system firmware is updated as frequently as possible. Finally, you can even implement two-factor authentication to make any hacking attempts much more difficult.
Stay tuned for next week, where we will dive deeper into how to protect your privacy in three key areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Video analytics involves using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze surveillance data from video feeds. In airports, this technology enhances security by enabling personnel to quickly identify suspicious behaviors, such as unattended bags or loitering individuals in restricted areas. By monitoring live feeds and triggering alerts, security staff can respond swiftly to potential threats, ensuring a safer environment for passengers and staff.
Video analytics can significantly reduce wait times during check-in and boarding by utilizing facial recognition technology. This allows for faster identification of passengers, matching their faces against passports or boarding passes. Additionally, analytics can monitor boarding activities to identify bottlenecks, enabling staff to intervene when necessary and facilitate a smoother boarding experience.
In airport retail environments, video analytics tracks foot traffic and analyzes shopper movement. This data helps retailers understand which areas and displays attract the most attention, allowing them to optimize store layouts and merchandising strategies. As a result, airports can increase sales and improve the overall shopping experience for travelers.
Video analytics improves baggage handling by monitoring luggage movements in real time. It can identify unmanned bags or those left in restricted areas, enhancing safety. Furthermore, it assists in tracking luggage that is not loaded onto planes, prompting ground staff to ensure timely loading. In cases of lost or delayed luggage, video footage can help pinpoint where bags are located, enabling faster recovery for travelers.
The future of video analytics in airports looks promising, with potential advancements in AI and machine learning that could lead to even greater efficiencies in security, passenger flow, and baggage management. As technology continues to evolve, airports can expect to enhance operational capabilities, improve the travel experience, and further ensure the safety of passengers and staff alike.
Michael S. Blanco is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Resolute Partners, LLC, where he leads strategic initiatives across various divisions. After owning family entertainment centers in New England, he co-founded Resolute Partners in 1996, launching the first Internet cafés for the U.S. Navy and partnering with AT&T for global deployment. A pioneer in wireless communications, Michael has expanded the company’s focus to include Energy Management/IoT, Cybersecurity, and Managed Video Security. He holds a degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
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[…] And, perhaps more alarmingly, cloud surveillance systems can be more susceptible to data hacks since hackers do not need to be on a local network in order to infiltrate your system. In 2021, a group of hackers claimed to have breached a massive inventory of security-camera data collected by Silicon Valley startup Verkada Inc. The hackers gained access to live feeds of 150,000 surveillance cameras inside hospitals, companies, police departments, prisons and schools, including carmaker Tesla Inc. You also run the risk of losing recordings if the cameras do not have local storage when your internet connection is down. To learn more about different hacking methods, you can visit our blog published earlier this month entitled Are Your Security Cameras At Risk Of Hacking? […]
[…] our last post, we discussed the prevalence of security system hacks, the different ways that hackers can infiltrate your security network, and the back-end procedures […]