Could CCTV Be Compromised by Cyber Security?

The British Security Industry Association  (BSIA) has this week warned owners and users of CCTV systems to be mindful of the threat of cybercrime, in the wake of fears raised by MI6 that IP-connected CCTV systems could compromise national security.

Cameras which are not fully secured can provide hackers with an easy entry point into not only images of the building’s interior, but also as a back door into the central nervous system of the online database. As such, it’s imperative that all CCTV systems are encrypted and secured against potential attacks.

Growing Chinese influence a concern?

The warning surfaced after it emerged that China is now the biggest provider of surveillance equipment in the UK, with the company Hikvision obtaining a 14% stake in the UK CCTV market in just four years. Hikvision is controlled by the Chinese government, who have a 42% interest in the business, leading to fears that the Chinese might have a disturbing amount of influence and insight into British security.

This is especially relevant when it’s remembered that many of these surveillance units are in place at important public locations, such as the London Underground, airports, public sector buildings and government offices.

In the past, Chinese companies have been under suspicion of equipping their security systems with back-door channels which allow them to infiltrate the databases of their clients. In response to this, the US has imposed legislation on all Chinese equipment used in public spaces, and though Hikvision has not been accused of similar wrongdoings, MI6 has urged the British government to follow suit.

Potential impact of a cyber attack

If the CCTV is connected to the IP system of a building or organisation, then the possible consequences of a successful attack could be catastrophic. Among other eventualities, a breach in security caused by the CCTV system could lead to:

• Sabotage of day-to-day operations, including security systems
• Theft of personal information
• Theft of trade secrets
• Theft of intellectual property
• Negligence claims
• Regulatory action
• Ransom demands

Clearly, such scenarios would prove disastrous for companies and could have wide-reaching effects on a national scale if the security of the public sector and government buildings was compromised.

What the experts say

The BSIA have warned against complacency when installing CCTV systems, calling for users to make sure they employ a reputable company to carry out the work and to implement regular maintenance and check-ups on the system.

“Anyone who is designing a system or making decisions on behalf of an end user should be considering the security of the hardware they are installing, ensuring that it is robust and manufactured responsibly,” explained Simon Adcock, who is the chief of CCTV for BSIA . “Responsible installers will also ensure that the system they have installed is protected from cyber-attacks by changing manufacturer’s default system credentials.”

“Ultimately, an end user must take responsibility for the security of their network. When procuring an IP-connected surveillance system, end users must use the services of a reputable installer /integrator that is fully committed to best practice. They should also ensure that they have comprehensive cyber security and information security policies in place.”

You can rest easy with Blackburn Alarms

Of course, it’s unlikely that the Chinese government – or any of cyber hackers, for that matter – will be looking to infiltrate your own personal CCTV system, but you can rest assured that at Blackburn Alarms, we remain at the forefront of cyber security with regards to all of our home and business protection equipment.

CCTV has been proven to reduce the incidence of theft and bring guilty parties to justice when it does occur, and when you use a reliable supplier such as ourselves, you’re guaranteed that the security of your premises is safeguarded from threats both physical and virtual. In fact, earlier this year, we made the conscious decision not to use Hikvision cameras in our CCTV systems.

To find out how we can help secure your home or business, get in touch with Blackburn Alarms today.