Last year, fake and stolen X (Twitter) Gold accounts flooded online and dark web marketplaces and forums, according to a CloudSEK report. Cybercriminals have been using multiple techniques to counterfeit and steal X Gold accounts since the company introduced a new verified account program in December 2022.

Twitter Gold, now X Gold, denotes a verified organization’s account on the platform. This label was introduced alongside Twitter Blue, now X Blue, a tick that any user can purchase if they want a premium account, and Twitter Grey, now X Grey, for public and non-governmental organizations.

CloudSEK researchers noticed the first ad for a Gold account on dark web markets in March 2023. Since then, a wave of ads for X Gold accounts on the dark web has been noticed, in addition to ads for fake or stolen Facebook, Instagram, Yahoo and TikTok accounts.

Cybercriminals selling these accounts use several methods to obtain them, including manually creating fake accounts that advertisers verify and then “ready to use” for customers. This is ideal for criminals who need a fake identity, according to CloudSEK. Another method is hacking existing accounts: cybercriminals take over a user’s existing account using a generic combined list of usernames and passwords. Tools used for this are, among others, Open Bullet, SilverBullet and SentryMBA. The third method involves using malware to collect credentials and steal accounts.

Prices for fake or stolen accounts range from about $0.30 for a new X account without a tick to about $500 for a Gold account. All purchases are made through intermediaries, guaranteeing the authenticity of sellers’ orders and buyers’ funds. Such ads also provide multiple opportunities for cybercriminals to become guarantors because large sums are at stake. In addition, such accounts can be resold, which opens up a whole market of resellers of compromised accounts, CloudSEK researchers say. Hacked social media accounts can be used for phishing campaigns. They can also be used to damage the account owner’s reputation.

The global mobile video surveillance market is valued at $2.7 billion and Marketsandmarkets predicts it will reach $3.9 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 7.9%. With increasing urbanisation, there is a higher demand for effective surveillance in urban areas, public transportation, and crowded spaces. Mobile video surveillance systems provide a flexible and dynamic solution to address the security challenges associated with urban environments.

Services segment shows strong growth

Researchers believe there is a growing demand for consulting services to assess surveillance needs and design customised mobile video surveillance systems tailored to specific requirements and environments. Organisations often require professional services for the proper installation and deployment of mobile video surveillance systems, ensuring optimal performance and coverage. Growing demand for cloud-based services, allowing organisations to leverage mobile video surveillance as a service, reducing the need for on-premises infrastructure and providing scalability.

High demand in public transit vertical

Ensuring the safety and security of passengers is a primary concern for public transit authorities. Mobile video surveillance systems play a crucial role in deterring criminal activities, ensuring a safe environment, and providing evidence in case of incidents. Public transit vehicles and infrastructure are susceptible to vandalism and graffiti. Mobile video surveillance acts as a deterrent and provides evidence for identifying and prosecuting offenders, helping in the maintenance of clean and safe transit environments.

 North America holds the largest share

Urbanisation and the implementation of smart city initiatives in North American cities contribute to the adoption of mobile video surveillance for traffic management, public safety, and infrastructure monitoring. The need for securing transportation systems, airports, seaports, and critical infrastructure drives the adoption of mobile video surveillance. These systems play a crucial role in monitoring and safeguarding key assets. Law enforcement agencies in North America leverage mobile video surveillance for investigative purposes, crowd monitoring, and maintaining public order. The demand for these solutions is driven by the need for effective policing.

Key players

The Mobile video surveillance Market Market includes significant Tier I and II players such as Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd, Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd, Axis Communications AB, Robert Bosch GmbH, Hanwha Vision Co., Ltd, and others. These players, according to the report, have a strong market presence for Mobile video surveillance across various countries in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the RoW.

This year in particular is especially meaningful for the NEC Group, as the company celebrates an 125 years of business.  Here, President and CEO, Takayuki Morita, starts the year 2024 with a look back at the company’s long history, last year’s achievements, and the goals and expectations for the coming years.

“From the telecommunications equipment we have produced since our founding to biometrics systems that now enable breakthroughs in various industries, NEC continues to be an innovative partner whose solutions for society improve our lives every day,” states Morita.

Looking back at 2023, he can see that the company has so much to be proud of, “including the addition of generative AI services, “cotomi,” to our technology portfolio, and the expansion of NEC’s biometric and AI solutions that are contributing to greater safety, security and health. Moreover, we have reinforced important business relationships with customers and partners such as Microsoft, AWS, SAP, Service Now and Celonis, which are driving the growth of digital and corporate transformation globally.”

“It was also a year in which we saw our contributions to society reflected in strong business performance and a rising share price. While we are grateful for this recognition, we renew our commitment to build and strengthen the trust that you, our customers and our partners have placed in our company.”

Looking ahead through 2024

 “We will continue to break new ground in the development of cutting-edge technologies, and we will actively expand the applications of our generative AI services, “cotomi,” initially in Japan. We will also greatly advance our initiatives in support of digital transformation, including digital government and digital finance. These important initiatives will reduce costs, improve security and expand services for partners on a global scale,” confirms Morita.

He believes that 2023 was the “Year of Transformation” for NEC, when the company implemented a range of strategies to achieve that goal. “One of the major strategies was to change our organisational structure to maximize our ability to provide value to our customers globally. Today, I see this initiative is gaining momentum thanks to the efforts made by all members of NEC, and step by step, we will continue to drive this transformation further in the new year.”

 2024 will be the “Year of accelerating changes and execution.”

 “As these transformations bring us forward, we are always guided by the NEC Group’s Purpose, which is to create the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. Realising this Purpose is a top priority for each member of the NEC Group as we continue to grow and contribute to society. Moreover, we are more committed than ever to promoting inclusion and diversity and fostering an environment in which a diverse range of people can make the most of their unique and amazing abilities.”

“NEC’s Mid-term Management Plan 2025 is now in its fourth year, and we can clearly see the path towards achieving our goals. As we continue to capitalize on innovation and move forward as One NEC, I am excited about 2024, the new value we will provide, and I thank you for your ongoing support,” concluded Takayuki Morita.

Cloud video surveillance solutions provider Eagle Eye Networks today released the 2024 Trends in Video Surveillance report, naming six trends that will directly impact businesses around the world in 2024.

This annual report is “a resource for business leaders, security professionals and IT managers, providing information about new technologies such as AI and license plate recognition (LPR) and analysis and tips about how the technology is being used in schools, global enterprise businesses, retail outlets, homeowners associations and other industries,” according to the company announcement.

The report also includes a bonus trend for security resellers, which is a greater market understanding of total cost of ownership (TCO).

“AI combined with cloud is having a profound and positive effect on how businesses use video surveillance for proactive security and business efficiency,” says Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks, in the company announcement.

“In addition to AI, this year’s report identifies technologies and use cases that are not just trends, they are practical innovations that unlock new possibilities for building a safer, more efficient world,” he says.

The top six video surveillance trends for 2024 are:

1. Broader AI use enabled by cloud
2. Proliferation of professional video monitoring
3. Upgraded workplace security as more people return to the office
4. Homeowners associations (HOAs) and multifamily residential will widely adopt LPR technology
5. Businesses value energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable solutions
6. The total cost of ownership benefits of cloud are better understood

 Dahua Technology says it is selling its North American division, Dahua Technology USA, to a prominent Taiwan-based manufacturer, ending a controversial saga for the China-based security device maker that has fallen out of favor with US regulators.

In a letter to dealers and distributors obtained by SecurityInfoWatch.com, Lin Kun-Huang, director of Dahua Technology USA, said North America has long been an important market, but Dahua is making a 100% change in ownership to “ensure unwavering commitment to our customers and ensure foundation for long-term growth in the North American market.”

The letter identified the buyer as Luminys Systems, believed to be a subsidiary of Taiwanese company Foxlink. According to its website, Foxlink designs, manufactures and sells connectors, cable assemblies, power management devices and battery packs on an OEM/ODM basis to some of the world’s leading communications, computer and consumer electronics manufacturers.

In business since 1986, officials said Foxlink and its subsidiaries “have successfully developed a variety of products in the field of wireless communications and optical technology, aiming to provide customers with a complete turnkey solution from components to products with the highest quality.”

According to public filings, Foxlink reported revenue of $94 billion NTD in 2022, with 34,000 employees worldwide and about 15 design, manufacturing and sales locations worldwide. Foxlink president TC Gou is listed as president of Luminys Systems.

“We are proud of the work we have done to provide leading security solutions to our end users here,” Kun-Huang wrote. “Furthermore, our relationship with our product vendors has allowed us to deliver our innovative products and services to customers across North America to make it a safer and more secure place.”

The change itself, he wrote, will have no impact on product retailers and they will receive ongoing technical support. The Dahua sales team will not change, and all contact points and sales channels will remain the same, he said. “You won’t have to learn or adapt to new processes, and your business as a merchant will be uninterrupted.

“The change allows us to expand our distribution channel with an American-owned brand, introducing a wide range of products to serve retailers and consumers in the North American market.”

The UK will conduct trials this year allowing air travellers to bypass passport checks by using biometric gates, as reported by The Times. According to UK Border Force Director-General Phil Douglas, this face biometrics system, inspired by implementations in Dubai and Australia, aims to enhance security and streamline passenger processing under the upcoming Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme, connecting to immigration systems to prevent ineligible travellers from boarding.

Assuming successful trials, the UK plans to replace 270 gates at air and rail ports, gradually phasing out legacy passport desks over the next two to three years. The expansion of the biometric e-gates system, originally for UK and EU travellers, has faced challenges, including a major failure in May 2023. However, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme is set to broaden its eligibility to nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan in February, with an eventual extension to all non-visa-requiring short-term visitors.

In October, Transport Canada discreetly requested information for its Air Right Touch project, planning to implement face biometrics for traveller verification without physical passports, aligning with the International Air Transport Association’s OneID concept. The Canada Border Services Agency is exploring facial recognition for border checks, prompting speculation about a potential new biometric database, though concerns about misidentification have been raised.

Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority is seeking the Ministry of Transport’s approval to persist with using face biometrics for authenticating air passengers with electronic chip-based ID documents. Proposed by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, the policy targets travellers with chip-based IDs who consent to share personal information and biometrics, with equipment procurement set for completion at selected airports by the first quarter of 2024.