Communication and Transmission

Panduit Micro Data Center

April 11, 2025

Definition of Micro Data Center A Micro Data Center (MDC) is a compact, versatile solution that integrates hardware, software, and cabling, serving as a comprehensive network hub. Similar to a telecommunications or network room but on a smaller scale, the key feature of an MDC is that it consolidates the entire data center infrastructure into a single enclosure — including electronic devices, patch panels, cable management, grounding/bonding, power, and copper/fiber cabling — designed to meet the demands of manufacturing environments.

The MDC represents the next phase in the evolution from tower computing systems to rack and cabinet-based deployments in manufacturing. It supports various business applications, such as:

Process and event monitoring, process historian, production tracking, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) reporting. • Control network management, outer loop control, and recipe downloads. • Quality control, material handling, maintenance, batch tracking, and asset management. • ERP integration (e.g., scheduling, reporting, material consumption).

In addition to serving as a standalone system for these applications, the MDC can also function as a network hub that connects cabling and switches. In large manufacturing complexes or remote locations, it can act as a data collection node that transmits manufacturing data to the enterprise (e.g., Store and Forward). MDCs can also host Virtual Machine (VM) systems, enhancing reliability and optimizing server utilization.

More Meaningful Connections From a logical architectural perspective, the MDC is situated between the manufacturing plant and the enterprise data center, often separated by a demilitarized zone (DMZ) and a firewall to prevent direct traffic between the enterprise and manufacturing networks. This separation protects against viruses and unwanted intrusions while ensuring maximum bandwidth for manufacturing processes. Additionally, it allows each network to operate independently, ensuring that disruptions in one do not affect the other.

The NEMA 12-rated MDC protects Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) by preventing the ingress of solid foreign objects and water. This robust design allows the MDC to be installed directly on the plant floor, eliminating the need for a dedicated control room or telecommunications closet. Placing the MDC near production equipment reduces the number of connections, shortens cable lengths, and facilitates quick access for maintenance, enhancing network reliability and performance. Furthermore, this proximity minimizes potential failure points, reduces network latency, and simplifies troubleshooting and diagnostics.

Physically, the MDC is typically installed in a secure space, such as a control room, production office, or telecommunications closet, located near the production environment but separate from it to protect equipment from dust, moisture, vibrations, and corrosion. This strategic placement shortens cable lengths, improves network performance, and simplifies maintenance access, further ensuring high reliability and quick responsiveness.

Panduit MDCs are a smart choice because they combine industrial durability, rapid deployment, integrated cable management, and compliance with key standards, making them a more reliable, cost-effective, and flexible solution compared to many competing products.

The New Motorola MOTOTRBO R5 Portable Radio

March 11, 2025

Aikom International, an authorized distributor of Motorola Solutions, announces the new MOTOTRBO R5 portable radio. Compact, durable, and designed to tackle the most challenging environments, the R5 radio stands out with advanced technologies such as AI-based noise suppression and a battery life of up to 32 hours. Ideal for business-critical environments, it seamlessly integrates into the Motorola Solutions ecosystem, providing a comprehensive solution for uncompromised professional communication.

Clear and Powerful Audio

The MOTOTRBO R5 radio is designed to deliver crystal-clear audio, even in noisy environments, thanks to advanced technologies such as:

AI-trained Noise Suppression: Eliminates background noise to enhance voice clarity.
Intelligent Audio: Automatically adjusts volume based on ambient noise levels.
IMPRES™ Audio: Optimizes audio performance for both the radio and compatible accessories.
Volume up to 106 phons, ensuring clear communication even in the most chaotic settings.

Compact Design and Optimized Controls

With an ergonomic design and features tailored for maximum efficiency, the R5 is built for effortless use, even in critical situations.

1.5” monochrome display with 2- or 3-line configuration for intuitive navigation.
Dedicated orange emergency button for quick distress calls.
Large knobs and tactile buttons, perfect for use with gloves.
Built for any environment: With an IP67 protection rating and compliance with MIL-STD 810H standards, the R5 withstands dust, water, and extreme conditions. An intrinsically safe version (TIA4950) is also available, ideal for hazardous environments.

Advanced Connectivity and Exceptional Battery Life

The R5 radio is not just a portable communication device but a connected platform that supports a wide range of applications and services:

Integrated GNSS: Position tracking via GPS (available only for the model with screen and keyboard).
Compatibility with MOTOTRBO and DMR Tier II systems, ensuring interoperability with existing infrastructures.
Battery life up to 32 hours with high-capacity IMPRES options.
RFID/NFC tag available for seamless integration into asset management and control systems.

Aikom International and Motorola Solutions

With the new MOTOTRBO R5, Motorola Solutions continues to lead innovation in professional communications. For more information or to reserve your R5 portable radio, which is now available for order, contact Aikom International, the official distributor of Motorola Solutions.

Tenzor Acquires the Operations of COPS@ Intelligent Traffic Signaling Systems

February 27, 2025

Tenzor has taken over the management and operations of the COPS@ business segments, including the entire portfolio of intelligent traffic signaling solutions. This strategic step enables Tenzor to expand its presence in the field of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and provide both existing and new customers with a broader range of advanced solutions for traffic safety and optimization on roads and in industrial environments.

With over 30 years of experience in integrating technical systems into comprehensive solutions for risk management, safety, and business optimization, Tenzor d.o.o. is well-positioned to leverage advanced technologies and expertise to further enhance traffic safety.

Miha Senčar, CEO of Tenzor d.o.o., stated: “At Tenzor d.o.o., we have extensive experience in integrating technical systems into comprehensive solutions for risk management, safety, and business optimization. By incorporating the COPS@ system into our portfolio, we will continue to develop innovative, high-quality solutions to improve traffic safety and enhance the efficiency of road and industrial traffic management.

The transition will be seamless for existing users. Tenzor d.o.o. remains committed to maintaining the high standards of products and services that COPS@ users have come to expect.”

What is COPS?

COPS@ is an advanced intelligent traffic signaling system designed to enhance safety in road and industrial traffic. By utilizing modern technologies, it detects hazards in real time and alerts drivers to critical situations, significantly contributing to the reduction of traffic accidents. Widely implemented in urban and suburban environments, COPS@ enables efficient traffic flow management while improving overall road safety and traffic fluidity.

More information at www.cops-systems.com.

Synology: Transforming Enterprise Data Protection: Addressing Modern Backup Challenges

January 9, 2025

Written by Jia-Yu, Liu, Executive Vice President of Application Group of Synology

Data backup has been a fundamental component for managing digital information. As a provider of data management solutions, Synology has consistently worked to protect our customers’ data, with our backup solutions now safeguarding over 25 million devices and accounts, earning widespread market acceptance. Through 25 years of experience in the industry, we’ve witnessed the evolution of data protection challenges and have continuously adapted our solutions to meet emerging needs.

Yet, we’ve observed a persistent challenge in the backup market in resource consumption. Data protection is often perceived as a preventive expense rather than a proactive measure to enhance business operations. This perception makes it more difficult for IT teams to justify budget requests to the management teams. Furthermore, with enterprises managing diverse workloads across on-premises, cloud, virtualized, and containerized environments, while confronting evolving attack vectors, IT teams must also consider various protection strategies including deduplication, ensure data visibility, off-site backup, immutability, and air-gap solutions across organizations. These requirements dramatically increase both costs and management complexity, stretching IT resources thin.

This realization inspired us to pursue a more ambitious vision: to unify all the essential elements for modern data protection into a seamless system built from the ground up, rather than assembled through piecemeal integration. It combines backup servers, software, and storage with essential security features, including immutability, air-gapping, and backup verification, all paired with a transparent and reasonable pricing structure that sets it apart from any existing enterprise backup solutions.

The result is ActiveProtect.

Resolving The Simplicity Illusion

When vendors discuss simplicity, they typically refer to the ability to backup multiple sources with a single software solution or centralized management across multiple servers through a unified interface. However, this only addresses surface-level management complexity. The entire IT procurement process for data protection remains lengthy and complex – from initial survey and price comparison to proof of concept, procurement, and ongoing service and contract maintenance.

Through extensive customer engagement, we’ve identified that organizations often struggle with a fundamental challenge: sourcing hardware and software separately to piece together their data protection systems. For instance, determining the optimal hardware configuration and settings for a chosen backup software requires significant time for tuning since these aren’t pre-configured during product design. Performance assessment adds another layer of complexity. Even when vendors like Veeam provide recommended specifications, budget constraints often force organizations to explore alternative configurations. This can lead to extended procurement times, as each configuration requires detailed testing and validation to ensure it meets performance requirements. Organizations commonly find that recommended specs don’t always deliver the expected results, adding further time to deployment as they seek adjustments and compatibility solutions across multiple vendors.

This fragmented approach incurs hidden costs in both integration and ongoing maintenance, issues that ActiveProtect addresses with its fully integrated solution.

ActiveProtect addresses these issues through its integrated approach, combining hardware and software engineering into one solution that automatically applies optimal settings upon deployment. Unlike DIY solutions that require separate security updates and individualized evaluation processes, these setups often rely on third-party computing servers and repositories, such as those from Dell or StoreOnce in the case of Veeam. This reliance creates a significant blind spot, as the primary solution provider may not be fully aware of vulnerabilities within third-party systems. Even a seemingly minor flaw, when linked with others, can become a critical security risk, making such systems not only harder to detect vulnerabilities in but also significantly slower to respond to potential threats. In contrast, ActiveProtect streamlines maintenance by consolidating updates across the entire system.

When replacements are needed, ActiveProtect simplifies the process with HDD migration, avoiding the extensive reconfiguration that many standalone systems demand. In addition, unlike backup software vendors that rely on costly third-party repositories to enable advanced features, ActiveProtect integrates these capabilities natively. With built-in functionalities like source-side deduplication and WORM technology immutable encryption, it achieves optimal storage allocation, enhances performance, and significantly reduces the workload for IT personnel, eliminating the need for external dependencies.

Redefining Ease of Use

While ease of use is universally emphasized, Synology sets a distinctly higher standard. Our customers consistently tell us that Synology’s interface is genuinely user-friendly and intuitive, requiring minimal familiarization or training for effective use. This is crucial because the hidden costs of training IT staff on complex interfaces, obtaining certifications, and managing staff retention are substantial.

The traditional approach requires IT professionals to spend weeks or months learning new systems, obtaining and maintaining certifications, navigating complex deployment procedures, and managing multiple management interfaces. For example, solutions like Veritas heavily depend on backup experts who must master command-line interfaces and Java-based operations, making recovery procedures and compliance testing nearly impossible without specialized expertise, and this knowledge is often lost when certified staff leave the organization. While most vendors offer comprehensive training programs, this often increases vendor lock-in and restricts enterprise flexibility.

ActiveProtect’s unified management portal offers comprehensive visibility and control across the entire backup infrastructure, from on-premises to remote sites and cloud repositories, allowing IT teams to execute complex tasks through a single, intuitive interface.

Unique and Transparent Cost Structure

The current market structure helps explain why costs remain high. With complex licensing models from vendors like Veeam and Veritas, calculating costs becomes challenging. For example, Veeam calculates by workload: a VM counts as one workload, a PC counts as three, unstructured data on object storage, NAS, and file shares is billed in 500GB increments, and Microsoft 365 is billed per user. This complexity makes cost estimation difficult, especially as protecting a single VM or Saas accounts requires additional licenses, potentially leaving gaps in backup coverage if licensing limits are exceeded. Veritas, on the other hand, uses source data size for capacity licensing, which can prevent backups if data usage spikes unexpectedly, making budget planning even more uncertain. These factors collectively drive up costs, often making cost-effective solutions inaccessible for enterprises.

Unlike other vendors that charge extra for premium features, ActiveProtect enables organizations to perform backups entirely license-free. This includes essential functionalities such as source-side, cross-side, and global deduplication, immutability, air-gapping, and backup copies. Centralized management for up to three backup servers is also provided at no additional cost. For deployments managing more than three backup servers in a cluster, customers can choose to purchase a CMS license, which is based solely on the number of servers within the cluster. This straightforward and transparent pricing structure allows organizations to scale their protection strategies efficiently while maintaining predictable costs.

Synology’s Vision for Modern Data Protection

With ransomware threats at an all-time high, data security should be a fundamental capability accessible to all enterprises. Synology’s vision has always been to innovate through our integrated hardware and software development capabilities, rationalizing costs through a single-vendor model to democratize IT management.

Through ActiveProtect, we deliver unique advantages through pre-configured hardware-software integration and rapid deployment capabilities. The unified management interface simplifies daily operations, while our transparent licensing model ensures predictable total cost of ownership. This approach enables automated configuration with optimal settings applied during deployment, unified management through a single interface for all backup operations, and streamlined licensing based solely on the number of backup servers under management.

2024 Tech Trends Maturity and Suitability Index

January 8, 2025

Welcome to asmag.com’s 2024 technology survey sponsored by ZKTeco. This year our survey saw participation by 250 security players who were polled not only on the suitability and maturity of security technologies but also on customer interest/enthusiasm over these technologies and their growth prospects in the near term. It is our hope that with the survey, readers will gain a better understanding of technologies that deeply shape our industry. The full results for video surveillance and access control can be found here.

Cloud/hybrid architecture

Video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) and access control as a service (ACaaS), which are increasingly adopted by security players, show little change in terms of suitability and maturity this year as compared to 2023, even though ACaaS ranks No. 1 for access control technologies with huge growth potential (full results can be found in the access control and video surveillance articles).

It’s worth noting that the hybrid architecture has received higher scores of 4.03 on suitability and 3.7 on maturity. In terms of customer inquiry and growth potential, hybrid ranks No. 4 and No. 3, respectively. Based on the results, we can see that the cloud momentum is still there, and this is especially the case for hybrid cloud, which distributes processing/storage between on-prem and cloud.

“Hybrid architecture is gaining popularity because it combines the best of both on-premise and cloud-based systems. It allows organizations to retain local control of their most sensitive data while leveraging the scalability and convenience of the cloud for broader management. This dual capability is especially useful for companies with legacy systems that aren’t ready for full cloud migration,” said Tom Buckley, Co-Founder of Qumulex.

“A flexible hybrid-cloud deployment provides multiple options, ensuring that regardless of how many systems are running on local servers or connected to the cloud, they can all be brought back to a central head-end for seamless management from a single platform. A hybrid approach also simplifies the transition to cloud-connected systems at a manageable pace, enabling edge devices to become cloud-compatible, adding cloud services to existing infrastructure, and allowing for the development of a long-term strategy that maximizes ROI while avoiding expensive forklift upgrades,” said Laurent Villeneuve, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Genetec.

AI/Generative AI

Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence that can create new contents based on existing datasets. A potential game-changer for security, generative AI garnered a suitability score of 4.16 and ranks No. 1 in both customer inquiries and growth potential over the next five years.

“Generative AI is gaining a lot of attention in security because of its ability to improve the accuracy and speed of threat detection, as well as its potential to reduce false alarms. By learning from vast amounts of data, generative AI can identify patterns that humans or traditional systems might miss, enabling more proactive security measures. It can also be used to enhance facial recognition, predictive maintenance, and video analytics. While it’s still maturing as a security technology, its rapid development and widespread applicability make it a top candidate for investment and adoption in the near future. As it matures, we expect to see more innovative applications that will revolutionize how we approach physical and cybersecurity,” Buckley said.

Meanwhile, Villeneuve argues that GenAI can also introduce new risks, which must be properly addressed.

“The rise of GenAI also introduces new security threats, including the proliferation of deep fakes and vulnerabilities in foundation models, which are trained on vast amounts of publicly available internet data. These models are increasingly becoming targets for adversarial attacks, such as efforts to introduce malicious data into the models’ training datasets. The security industry, in particular, must be vigilant in identifying and mitigating these emerging risks to ensure the integrity and safety of its systems. If implemented correctly, this can lead to faster response times and more efficient investigations, ultimately improving overall operational effectiveness,” he said.

Edge processing

In terms of edge processing, it gained a suitability score of 4.3 and maturity score of 3.86. In terms of customer inquiries, it ranks third. The high suitability score reveals that users enjoy the benefits offered by edge processing, where data is processed on the edge – only metadata is transmitted to the backend for further processing. This allows for better utilization of bandwidth and quicker response to incidents. The increasing availability of AI cameras where video can be processed on the edge also helps drive this trend.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity received suitability and maturity scores of 4.39 and 3.91, respectively. It also ranks No. 2 in both customer inquiries and future growth potential. The results reflect the growing importance of cybersecurity amid high attack rates. According to Broadcom, connected cameras accounted for 15 percent of all IoT attacks. A US News and World Report survey further shows 13 percent of respondents have experienced camera hacks, while 49 percent are worried about them. This has prompted vendors to design their products with cybersecurity in mind. Gallagher, for example, has launched their Controller 7000 with enhanced hardware and security infrastructure to optimize cybersecurity. Video surveillance equipment manufacturers are increasingly highlighting NDAA compliance where no key parts of components are made in China. With hacking and security breaches becoming more rampant, discussions and awareness over cybersecurity are all but likely to continue.

Unmanned security (drones and robots)

As for unmanned security such as drones and robots, it scored moderate suitability and maturity scores of 3.7 and 3.34, while ranking fourth in terms of growth potential in the near term. Unmanned security has been a much-discussed topic a few years back, yet user interest and enthusiasm seem to have diminished a bit. However unmanned security still has useful applications, especially in critical mission scenarios where monitoring by fixed cameras is insufficient. Mitsubishi, for example, has teamed up with 3S to offer a fire-prevention solution where drones are flying with both visible and thermal cameras, the latter of which can detect small fire points, which can escalate into larger-scale fires.

Tables:

Ranking of security technologies, by inquiries from customers

Ranking	Technology
1	AI/Generative AI
2	Cybersecurity/cyber-defense solutions
3	Edge processing/storage
4	Hybrid cloud architecture
5	Unmanned security platforms
6	5G
7	Radar and lidar

Ranking of security technologies, by future growth potential

Ranking	Technology
1	AI/Generative AI
2	Cybersecurity/cyber-defense solutions
3	Hybrid cloud architecture
4	Unmanned security platforms
5	5G
6	Edge processing/storage
7	Radar and lidar

Reyee CCTV Solutions Enhanced with New Features

November 15, 2024

Ruijie’s Reyee CCTV solutions have been enhanced with new features designed to meet modern challenges in the setup, management, and maintenance of CCTV networks. Products sold under the Reyee brand now offer a user-focused experience and workflow optimization, with comprehensive support for CCTV systems from the planning phase through post-sale service.

To reduce time-consuming site visits and product list creation, Reyee solutions utilize an AI tool for site inspection with a heatmap feature, allowing installers to upload floor plan and immediately begin adding cameras to simulate deployment.

Reyee offers tools like NAT Traversal and Ruijie DDNS to facilitate secure remote network access. NAT Traversal provides quick access to network video recorders (NVRs), enabling installers to check video data and configure devices via Reyee routers and Ruijie Cloud. Meanwhile, Ruijie DDNS simplifies remote access with secure connectivity by eliminating the need to register on third-party platforms.

A Self-Organizing Network (SON) technology simplifies complex and time-consuming network configuration processes. Installers can now use QR codes to quickly set up the entire network, regardless of its size.

At the same time, Ruijie Cloud allows for simplified VLAN configuration, identification of devices from different IPC brands, and remote monitoring of cameras and the network via smartphone. The Cloud enables installers to fine-tune parameters like camera types, coding formats, and vision ranges.

To save time and resources, Reyee supports a one-click bill of materials (BOM) creation function, making documentation easier with automatic generation of product lists, topology maps, and coverage analyses.

To support network stability, the Reyee CCTV solution includes features like Loop Prevention. Reyee also supports extending PoE to 250 meters per port, simplifying network expansion and adapting to different field requirements.

In the post-sale phase, Reyee enables remote troubleshooting. Real-time alerts can be monitored through Ruijie Cloud and the Reyee app, allowing installers to detect and resolve network issues before users notice them. Ruijie believes that these and other features provide a quality technological solution for users seeking to save time and resources.

UNV Cloud Managed Switch is on the Market!

October 28, 2024

The changing landscape of security systems demands effective remote management. Uniview’s latest Cloud Managed Switches facilitate precise remote deployment and configuration. These switches are cloud-managed and seamlessly integrate with the UNV Link Pro app, providing an easy way to securely manage your network anytime, anywhere.

The Uniview Cloud Network Solution is an integrated, quick, efficient, and secure network solution which combines CCTV and IT networks, reducing network deployment costs and improving maintenance efficiency. It provides multiple options to help devices access the cloud network, with auto-generated network topology and rich management features to enable an easy configuration and maintenance and to address your most important safety needs.

Now you can quickly deploy and maintain your system and troubleshoot issues without having to go to the site. Security system management is now more convenient than ever.

To meet the market demand, Uniview Cloud Managed Switch bear the following highlights:

Support more efficient networking for security

Uniview’s cloud managed switches centralize and visualize the management of nearly every Uniview CCTV product. Also, these switches – managed in the cloud – integrate seamlessly with the to provide comprehensive capabilities for an entire security system.

• Easy to add devices: Scan the QR code via the app or do Single/Batch Device Import via the Web platform. Users can also scan the QR code of the Controller to connect all network devices to the cloud network.
• Remote configuration: Supports various remotely configuration functions for added devices, such as reboot, upgrade, back up, restore, loop protection, and more.
• Web tunnel: It supports password-free jumping from the cloud to the device’s WEB to operate more advanced functions.

All configuration on one APP

With the help of unified cloud management, even complex deployments no longer require cumbersome equipment, laptops, or monitors. Installers can set up these smart switches using UNV Link Pro app in only three steps. It’s quick and easy.

Efficient Maintenance

Data dashboard: The graphical data shows the real-time status of connected devices.

• One-click health diagnosis: Check all devices with just one click, and access professional guidance for troubleshooting.
• Real-time alarm: When an error occurs, the operator will be informed immediately.
• Delivery and entrust services: Installers can deliver the device to you. In addition, you can also entrust your system to an operator for maintenance.

Application

Discover Uniview’s extensive range of smart managed switches that provide business with businesses advanced, adaptable, and secure networking solutions.

UNV Acusearch, Say Goodbye to Traditional Video Search

August 21, 2024

Are you still using your old CCTV system? Are you still experiencing complicated search operation and time-consuming suspect locating problem when you want to find a target from playback? Now Uniview released Acusearch technology for CCTV system, you can find what you want in one click!

With UNV AcuSearch technology, finding target is made incredibly efficient. Users simply need to frame the target on the live or playback interface, click “search,” and within seconds, they obtain results. This process, which used to take hours with traditional methods, is now reduced to mere seconds, greatly accelerating investigations.

Leveraging the computational power, UNV AcuSearch can accurately extract target attribute information in complex environments, and comparing it with the massive data from all-channel footage. This minimizes the risk of errors and greatly saving time in identifying suspects.

AcuSearch technology bear the following highlights:

Affordable and accessible solution

UNV AcuSearch technology is widely deployed on UNV NVRs at an affordable price. This accessibility allows small and medium-sized business owners to enjoy the benefits of faster and more accurate suspect locating, enabling swift tracking of criminals and illegal activities.

Brand New Video Targeted Search

UNV AcuSearch adopts a brand-new video target search approach. Users only need to select the target object in the playback or live view interface by drawing a bounding box. The algorithm extracts corresponding targets based on the selected area, then analyzes the target type and extracts feature data. This innovative search method significantly enhances user search efficiency, offering a more intuitive search experience.

Intelligent Data Processing

AcuSearch’s algorithms focus not only on capturing the overall features of people and motor vehicles when extracting object features, but also on meticulous local features, such as hairstyle and hair color of the human body, as well as the headlights of the motor vehicle, whether or not it is carrying a luggage rack. This ensures a high degree of accuracy is achieved during the matching process, providing users with a more reliable recognition experience.

All Data Analysis on NVR

UNV AcuSearch fully leverages the potential of Network Video Recorder (NVR) to comprehensively analyze people and motor vehicles. By extracting features and storing them in a database, it ensures that any appearing individuals or motor vehicles are thoroughly recorded.

The rich data source guarantees users can access relevant information about the targets during usage, preventing the omission of any crucial details.

Application

Acusearch technology is highly versatile in SMB scenarios. For instance, in shopping malls, it swiftly locates lost items by accessing relevant surveillance footage. In industrial parks, it aids security by promptly identifying and tracking suspicious individuals through historical location data, enabling immediate intervention against illegal activities.

More information please visit www.global.uniview.com.

If you have any business query, please contact chenkexin@uniview.com

Building a Strong Cybersecurity Foundation for Your Video Solutions

April 18, 2024

In today’s digital world, it’s little surprise that cybersecurity is top of mind in many boardrooms. Indeed, 96% of CEOs say that it’s essential to their organisation’s growth and stability, according to Accenture.

And they are right to be concerned, because cybercrime is projected to cost the world a staggering $9.5 trillion USD in 2024 according to research firm, Cybersecurity Ventures. Such losses can be business-ending, without even considering the cost of reputational damage and unscheduled downtime.

By Jos Beernink, Vice President EMEA at Milestone Systems

The cyber-risks of video

Being aware of the risks of an insecure video surveillance system – and how to mitigate these – is therefore a critical skill for all security leaders. Cameras, connected sensors, and video management software (VMS) can present attractive targets for malicious actors, thanks to the data collected by them. This data can be used for blackmail or to gather confidential information. Hackers can sell footage of your building layout and staffing levels at different times of the day to criminals, for example.

IP cameras can also be used as gateway devices for larger attacks, including global distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks that use connected cameras and other devices to send a flood of traffic to targeted websites and other infrastructure.

When it comes to protecting businesses, no two systems will be the same. The protections for a school will be very different to that of a data centre or solar farm. The first step in protecting your organisation and its surveillance systems, therefore, is understanding what needs to be protected, how, and from whom. Plus the potential damage that can occur when (not if) an attack happens.

The NIS2 Directive

Protecting your camera and video systems is about to become even more important due to the incoming NIS2 Directive, a Europe-wide legislation that aims to boost the overall level of cybersecurity in network and information systems. Any surveillance installation that falls within targeted “essential” industries will be impacted by this (these include the energy sector, transport, banking, public administration, and digital infrastructures).

Under NIS2, users are required not only to assess their own systems, but also conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure their entire supply chain is compliant. In today’s interconnected systems, achieving compliance across the supply chain can be challenging.

By way of an example, the Log4j vulnerability recently affected millions of computers across the world, and highlights the direct impact on systems utilising this open-source logging library as a small part of their software suite. It’s notable that a few software manufacturers, including Milestone Systems, which prioritize secure design and avoid any use of open source, remained unaffected.

The NIS2 Directive recognises that physical security threats pose a significant risk to organisations with digital operations. Installing cameras and other systems to control access to digital assets like server rooms and data centres is vital. Such organisations will need to take active, ongoing, steps to ensure their video network’s security is as robust as possible.

The importance of physical security

One unique aspect of video networks is how many devices are located in public, potentially vulnerable, areas. Most organisations need to install cameras to monitor busy areas, entrances and exits to restricted areas, or remote parts of a site. This can have the effect of putting cameras at higher risk; making it easier for attackers to gain access and disconnect devices. This means that multi-layered security to keep devices safe and separate from the wider IT network is essential. It also means that without adequate protection, a video surveillance system can be less secure than a classical IT system. That’s worth bearing in mind when addressing your video and IT network cybersecurity as a whole.

Everyone’s responsibility

The NIS2 Directive emphasises that IT and security work together to build a robust cybersecurity strategy. Your IT team will need to be closely involved when implementing your video cybersecurity strategy. They will work with you on some of the foundational elements of protecting your VMS and connected devices, because of their experience in areas like virtual private network (VPNs) and virtual local area networks (VLANs).

Knowing who takes care of what, can help you to assign accountability for things like upgrades, auditing, and penetration testing. Sometimes an external party, like a manufacturer or installer, is responsible for some aspects of your cybersecurity. Therefore, when starting your cybersecurity strategy, you’ll need to check:

Assess the nature of the business – and its goals.
Determine the local rules and regulations.
Confirm who is responsible for maintaining your system.
Ask who monitors your system. Unusual traffic or alerts of technical errors can be an indication of a cyber-attack.
Be clear about who has access to your video and computer network. Is the level of access appropriate to their needs? Does an operator have too high a level of access, or does someone who has left your organisation still have login credentials?

Speaking of access, you’ll also need to consider physical elements like who has access to a VMS server room. Alarms and access control measures can help to prevent unauthorised individuals from getting into sensitive areas where your video data is located.

Consider the human element

It’s worth considering your overall training program, as the human factor can be a significant weakness in your cybersecurity — accounting for between 88 to 95% of data breaches, according to a joint study by Stanford University Professor Jeff Hancock and security firm Tessian. Even something as simple as re-using a personal password to log into a VMS account, or falling for social engineering attacks (like an ‘urgent’ email from a manager requesting account details) can undermine every technical cybersecurity feature you implement.

Hence why regular training for your security team is important, as it can keep them updated on the latest threats and new ways to protect themselves and your system from harm. User control can also assist here, with admin and data access rights only given to those who require it. Assigning different VMS user credentials will (hopefully) prevent password sharing and allows you to remove a user’s access when they leave your company.

Foundational cybersecurity measures

Alongside this, there are some basic foundations that you can ensure you’re following to make your video system less attractive to attackers. These include updating your cameras’ firmware and VMS device drivers to the newest versions. Updates are typically made on an ongoing basis, so make sure your camera manufacturer issues regular security updates that include vulnerability patching and additional protections against new threats. Much like how keeping your smartphone or laptop updated reduces the risk of a hack, staying up to date with your VMS and camera updates will make them less attractive to hackers.

Disabling your cameras’ built-in admin account, or changing the default password is one of the first things to do when installing a new device. Then you can ensure your cameras are only supporting HTTPS (the secure version of HTTP).

To ensure the best protection, your chosen password should be a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters as well as special characters and numbers. They should contain no easily guessable words or phrases – using the word ‘password’ is an absolute no! Passwords also shouldn’t contain any information that identifies a user, or that a hacker could gain off of their public profiles and social media. As importantly, VMS accounts shouldn’t be shared by multiple users.

Keep your networks separate

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to keep your video network separate from your wider IT network. You can do this through VPNs (which is essential if you have people accessing your systems remotely, outside of your local network), and through VLANs that keep your video system partitioned and isolated from your other computer systems. If your cameras or VMS are compromised, for example by someone accessing a device located on the street or from an operator unwittingly using a USB with malware on it, a hacker cannot use your video system to access more of your organisation’s data. It serves to limit the damage.

The importance of multi-layered security

A widescale breach in 2021 offers a hard lesson in what can potentially go wrong when you fail to secure your camera systems effectively. A cyber-attack on a system provider in the USA exposed video recordings from 150,000 cameras, but also the sensitive financial information of high-profile customers. Hackers gained access to the provider’s systems using a username and password that was exposed in the public domain. This illustrates the importance of good password habits (regular password changes, using hard-to-guess passwords, and training people not to share their passwords with others).

Over 100 employees had ‘super admin’ privileges in the provider’s system, which gave access to footage from thousands of customer cameras, unknown to them. Setting the right access level for each user, ensures that the risk and potential spread of a hack is limited. Put another way, the more admins you have, the more targets there are for hackers to exploit.

Finally, alongside camera footage, hackers could also access sensitive financial and customer information through the breach. Separating your video network from your IT network limits how far a hacker can go if they do access your system. It prevents them from accessing your business’ financial and product data, operations, and other sensitive systems.

Cybersecurity is continuous

With all that said, every system will have vulnerability and the cybersecurity space is constantly evolving. Being aware, in control, and responsible when using video will go a long way in protecting your organisation.

To help you on your journey towards a cybersecure video network, Milestone Systems is hosting a series of cybersecurity webinars. Whether you are starting out on cybersecurity or are looking at building on existing cyber measures, these webinars and events will help you build resilience in your video system. More details of these webinars, including the first webinar on the foundational elements of a video cybersecurity strategy, can be found here: t.ly/nuvno.

Learn what Milestone can do for your organization. Our video management software (VMS) can be customized to meet your every need. From keeping people and property safe to operating businesses more efficiently. We invite you to experience the power and functionality of Milestone’s VMS software through the exclusive Demo Trail, providing a hands-on experience with our state-of-the-art video management solutions.

About Milestone Systems

Milestone Systems is a leading provider of data-driven video technology software in and beyond security that helps the world see how to ensure safety, protect assets, and increase business efficiency. Milestone enables an open platform community that drives collaboration and innovation in the development and use of network video technology, with reliable and scalable solutions that are proven in more than 500,000 customer sites worldwide. Founded in 1998, Milestone is a stand-alone company in the Canon Group. For more information visit: www.milestonesys.com. For news and other press releases, visit our Newsroom.

Aikom: Corporate Security: Business Needs and Innovative Solutions

April 8, 2024

In increasingly complex and dynamic business environments, security is a top priority. Motorola Solutions conducted an in-depth survey that provides a detailed overview of the security needs of enterprises, collected in the Security in Enterprises Report 2023. This report provides essential guidance for companies in every industry, highlighting innovative solutions and advanced technologies to address current challenges.

The enterprise environment is diverse and complex, with different industries facing specific challenges. However, the need for integrated communication technology is universal. Motorola Solutions interviewed over 370 representatives of organizations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, covering areas such as health, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics.

Instant communication is key to business security

The report reveals that instant communication is critical, with 70% of respondents considering it the most important feature. Protecting workers and visitors with security features is just as crucial. The main priorities include: automatic alerts to prevent potential accidents, efficient management of emergencies, and the ability to reach workers anywhere, both on site and off site, with a single communication system.

The survey highlighted significant challenges for company voice and video communication systems, including the need to maintain reliable coverage on large sites, battery life (42%) and audio quality (36%). In this regard, digital two-way radios and devices are emerging as a preferred choice, offering superior audio quality, extended coverage and improved battery life.

Growing video security

29% of respondents feel insecure about the workplace, but 30% of the companies and factories involved in the survey do not yet have adequate safety tools. If video security is adopted by 34% of the participants, the future seems oriented to the widespread use of body cams, with 30% willing to invest in this technology in the next five years.

Motorola Solutions presents advanced solutions to address these challenges. The MOTOTRBO Ion is a hybrid device that combines bidirectional radio and smartphone functions with barcode reading offering reliability, endurance and advanced features. The MOTOTRBO R7 and WAVE PTX provide crystal clear communications and connectivity over large areas, while the VB400 body cam is an essential resource for collecting evidence.

To underline the interoperability of the Motorola Solutions devices just mentioned with video surveillance systems, making the management of the entire safety & security ecosystem in the company fluid and centralized.

The report

Motorola Solutions’ 2023 Enterprise Safety Report is an in-depth analysis of the current needs of enterprises to ensure the safety of workers, customers and business resources. Reading the document not only provides a unique opportunity to understand current challenges but also provides advanced solutions that are redefining the concept of business security. Download now the Security in Enterprises Report 2023 and get ready for a safer and more productive future!

Contact Aikom International for the ideal solution

To implement these cutting-edge technologies in your organization, contact Aikom International, the distributor specializing in connectivity, professional radio communications and video surveillance solutions. Visit www.aikominternational.com for further information and transform your company’s security with the latest technological innovations

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