Security cameras are designed to protect your business—but they are also connected technology that needs to be protected.
Modern IP surveillance systems rely on business networks to transmit video, store footage, provide remote access, and communicate with other security systems. That connectivity makes surveillance more capable than ever, but it also means cameras and recording systems should be treated like other network-connected devices.
Outdated firmware, weak credentials, improper network configuration, or poorly managed remote access can create unnecessary security risks. For businesses, securing a surveillance system isn’t only about choosing the right cameras. It’s also about protecting the network behind them.
Security Cameras Are Network Devices
Modern IP cameras do much more than record video. They can transmit footage across a network, communicate with management platforms, store data, and provide remote access to live and recorded video.
A commercial surveillance system may include:
- IP cameras
- Network video recorders
- PoE switches
- Cloud-based management platforms
- Remote viewing applications
- User accounts and permissions
Because these systems depend on network infrastructure, network security should be part of surveillance planning from the beginning.
NIST recommends that organizations understand which connected devices are on their networks, what communications those devices require, and how access should be controlled.
Where Can Surveillance Systems Become Vulnerable?
Installing high-quality cameras is only part of building a secure surveillance system. How those devices are configured and maintained matters too.
Common areas businesses should consider include:
- Weak or default passwords
- Outdated camera or NVR firmware
- Unnecessary administrator access
- Poorly managed remote access
- Former employees or vendors retaining access
- Older equipment that no longer receives security updates
Regularly reviewing devices, accounts, and software can help businesses identify potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Why Network Segmentation Matters
Not every device within a business needs unrestricted access to every other device.
Organizations can use network segmentation to separate surveillance cameras and other connected security equipment from employee computers and other business systems.
For example, cameras may operate on a dedicated network or VLAN with access limited to the systems and services they actually need.
This can help control communication between devices and reduce unnecessary exposure across the network.
For businesses installing IP surveillance, that means the network supporting the cameras can be just as important as the cameras themselves.
Physical Security and Cybersecurity Are Becoming More Connected
The line between physical security and cybersecurity continues to become less distinct.
A security camera may protect a physical facility, but it also relies on network infrastructure, digital storage, user accounts, software, and potentially cloud services. The same is increasingly true for access control and other physical security technologies.
That’s why businesses should consider physical security, IT, and network infrastructure as parts of the same technology environment.
A comprehensive approach asks not only what is this device protecting? but also how is the device itself being protected?
Building a More Secure Surveillance System
Businesses evaluating an existing surveillance system or planning a new one should consider questions such as:
Who currently has access to our cameras?
Are cameras and recording equipment receiving updates?
How are surveillance devices separated from other business systems?
Is remote access properly controlled?
Do we know what security equipment is connected to our network?
A well-designed surveillance system considers more than camera placement and image quality. Network infrastructure, device configuration, user access, updates, storage, and ongoing management can all play a role.
One Partner. Complete Technology Solutions.
Bailey Systems provides commercial video surveillance, network infrastructure, structured cabling, access control, and managed IT solutions.
By considering both the physical security system and the technology behind it, organizations can take a more integrated approach to protecting their people, facilities, networks, and operations.
Whether you’re planning a new surveillance system or evaluating your current security infrastructure, Bailey Systems can help identify solutions designed around your organization’s needs.
Contact Bailey Systems to discuss your video surveillance, network infrastructure, or business technology needs.
