Is your CCTV secure? Cybersecurity in Video Surveillance: The TVT Approach

In the past few years, critical vulnerabilities have been exposed, impacting 100+ million devices ¹, and a recall of millions of cameras was announced due to security flaws ². Digital threats are constantly evolving and CCTV hacks are on the rise ³. It begs the question, is your CCTV secure?

Many reading this blog may think, “So what if someone gets access to my cameras, I’m not that interesting!” I urge the reader to remember - many CCTV cameras have microphones, and are sat in meeting rooms, and if the content of your meetings were leaked to your competitors, would you mind? My guess is, yes. Yes, you would mind.

And that’s why the importance of robust cybersecurity in video surveillance cannot be overstated. As surveillance systems become increasingly networked and sophisticated, they also become potential targets for cybercriminals or corporate espionage.

This blog post explores the comprehensive approach to cybersecurity in video surveillance, focusing on how an industry leader, TVT, is setting new standards in this critical field.

The video surveillance industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. What was once a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system is now often a complex network of IoT devices, cloud services, and AI-powered analytics. While these advancements have greatly enhanced the capabilities of surveillance systems, they have also introduced new vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity breaches in video surveillance can have severe consequences:

• Privacy violations through unauthorised camera access

• Manipulation of footage for malicious purposes

• Use of compromised cameras as entry points into broader networks

• Disruption of critical security operations

• Organised crime ⁴ and espionage ⁵

Given these risks, a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity is not just advisable – it's essential.

A truly robust cybersecurity strategy in video surveillance must address multiple facets of security. Three key standards have emerged as crucial benchmarks:

1. NDAA Compliance: Ensures surveillance equipment is free from potential foreign threats and meets stringent US government standards. The UK Parliament described the NDAA as a “non-legally binding instrument” (NLBI) which they also state “should be viewed as essentially equivalent to making a legally binding obligation” ⁶.

2. UK PSTI Act Adherence: Focuses on IoT device security, mandating strong passwords, vulnerability disclosure policies, and transparency about security updates. Designed to prevent cameras from appearing on public sites, such as insecam.org.

3. UL Cybersecurity Certification: Provides a comprehensive framework for testing and certifying the security of network-connected devices ⁷.

While each of these standards addresses specific aspects of cybersecurity, together they form a powerful triad that covers a broad spectrum of potential vulnerabilities.

TVT, a leading manufacturer in the video surveillance industry, has embraced a holistic approach to cybersecurity that integrates NDAA, PSTI, and UL standards. This approach is built on several key principles:

1. Security-First Philosophy: Cybersecurity is not an afterthought, but a fundamental aspect of product design and development at TVT.

2. Comprehensive Compliance: TVT products are designed to meet or exceed NDAA, PSTI, and UL standards, ensuring multi-faceted security.

3. Continuous Improvement: TVT's security measures are constantly evolving to address new threats and meet emerging standards.

4. Transparency: TVT is committed to open communication about its security practices and compliance status.

5. End-to-End Security: TVT's approach covers all aspects of the surveillance ecosystem, from individual cameras to network infrastructure and data storage.

TVT's commitment to cybersecurity is evident in the features integrated into their products:

Encryption Protocols

• Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for data in transit and at rest

• Secure key management and rotation

Secure Firmware Updates

• Digitally signed firmware updates

• Secure boot processes to prevent unauthorised firmware modifications

Access Control Measures

• Multi-factor authentication

• Role-based access control

• Unique, complex default passwords for each device

Network Security Features

• Built-in firewall capabilities

• Virtual LAN (VLAN) support for network segmentation

• Intrusion detection and prevention systems

Data Protection

• Secure data storage with encryption

• Privacy masking features to protect sensitive areas in the video feed

Case Studies: TVT's Secure Solutions in Action

Case Study 1: Large Retail Chain

A national retail chain implemented TVT's NDAA-compliant, UL-certified cameras across 500 locations. The result was a 40% reduction in security incidents and zero reported cases of cyber breaches in the first year.

Case Study 2: Smart City Project

A major European city deployed TVT's PSTI-adherent surveillance system as part of its smart city initiative. The system's robust security features allowed for seamless integration with other city systems while maintaining strict data protection standards.

Customer Testimonial

"Implementing TVT's comprehensive security solution has given us peace of mind. We know our surveillance system is not only capturing crucial footage but also protecting our broader network infrastructure." - Chief Security Officer, Fortune 500 Company

As we look to the future, several trends are likely to shape cybersecurity in video surveillance:

1. AI-Powered Threat Detection: Machine learning algorithms will increasingly be used to identify and respond to potential security threats in real time.

2. Zero Trust Architecture: The principle of "never trust, always verify" will become standard in surveillance network design.

3. Edge Computing Security: As more processing moves to the edge, new security measures will be needed to protect these distributed computing nodes.

TVT is actively researching and developing solutions in these areas, maintaining its position at the forefront of surveillance cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought in the complex landscape of modern video surveillance. The potential risks are too great, and the consequences of a breach are too severe. By choosing solutions that adhere to comprehensive standards like NDAA, PSTI, and UL, organisations can significantly enhance their security posture.

TVT's approach to cybersecurity demonstrates how manufacturers can integrate these standards into a cohesive, robust security strategy. Their commitment to ongoing improvement and transparency sets a benchmark for the industry. System Q is proud to be the leading provider of TVT video surveillance products in the UK.

To find out more about cyber secure CCTV solutions, visit SystemQ.com, call us on +44 1246 200 000, or email sales@systemq.com.

1. IPVM. "Hikvision Security Flaws and Responses." IPVM, https://ipvm.com/reports/hikvision-36260.

2. Telegraph. "Why British Homes Risk Trojan Horse Smart Devices." The Telegraph, 25 Jan. 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/01/25/why-british-homes-risk-trojan-horse-smart-devices/.

3. Infosecurity Magazine. "The Rise of CCTV Hacks: Cyber Threats to Surveillance." Infosecurity Magazine, https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/opinions/rise-cctv-hacks-cyber-threat/.

4. Computer Weekly. "North Korean Cyber APT Targeting Nuclear Secrets." Computer Weekly, https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366598869/North-Korean-cyber-APT-targeting-nuclear-secrets#:~:text=Cyber%20researchers%20at%20Google%20Cloud's,and%20technology%20as%20North%20Korea.

5. Google Blog. "Cybersecurity Threat Analysis Group." Google Blog, https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/.

6. UK Parliament. "NDAA Compliance: Government and Industry Standards." UK Parliament, https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmpubadm/204/summary.html.

7. UL. "Cybersecurity Services." UL, https://www.ul.com/services/cybersecurity.