Introduction - pros and cons of security cameras.

We are living in an age of an Internet-Of-Things (IOT). We know that cyber risk exists whenever a device is connected to an Internet. And, today countless devices are connected via an Internet.  Transportation department has installed cameras on highways to monitor traffic jam during rush hours and to evaluate driving conditions of roads during a bad weather (e.g. an excessive snow accumulation and rain-flood). Police department has installed cameras on streets to minimize street crimes. Local governments have installed cameras to monitor a car violating an authorized speed-limit near a school zone. Corporations have installed security cameras to monitor people entering and leaving a building for safety reasons. [1]  In short, security cameras are a necessity (and not a luxury) because of the safety concerns of citizens.

However, the disadvantage is that security cameras can be breached (i.e. hacked). Information could be stolen. Photos of individuals (including celebrity movie stars) entering or leaving an area (such as a gym or a restaurant or a shopping mall) could be published in a magazine for a profit. Moreover, a breach of a security camera system could lead to hacking of other departments, such as: finance, payroll or HR. So, it is important to protect security cameras as much as we protect traditional IT systems from hackers.

In Jan 2017, President Trump’s oath taking inauguration ceremony, the cameras installed by the police department of Washington DC were infected with malware. 70% of all cameras in Washington DC were bugged with ransomware.[2] Cyber criminals were demanding money. Luckily, police department turned OFF all city street cameras, removed all installed software, cleaned all videos and restarted/rebooted the entire system.  City police had to pay lot of money for repairing infected cameras in Washington DC.

How to know if a security camera is hacked?

Often it is difficult to know that a security camera has been hacked in a timely fashion. Months pass by and people don’t know that the security camera system has been breached.  [3]

If a security camera is working slow (than its normal speed) then it implies that something is wrong with a camera. Connection will be poor. Signal could be weak. System would be frozen (or locked).[4] More investigations would show that camera is breached. Infected virus slows camera’s overall performance.

How to protect security cameras from hackers.[5]

1.     Often cameras come with a password. Users are lazy to change manufacturer’s password. Change temporary password issued by camera manufacturers. Reset passwords.

2.     Use a strong password instead of “name123”.  Use a complex hard to guess password. Strong two factor authentication is needed (like for other IT systems).

3.     Prefer, not to put security camera on a main network. But, if you do, then use an advanced firewall software to prevent an intruder.

4.     Ideally, install and place a security camera on a separate network rather than using the main network. This is because in case of a breach a hacker cannot penetrate the main network.

5.      Cameras come with an operating system software. Such as Linus and Windows. Thus, update or patch operating system software regularly.

6.     An administrator should not share his /her password with staff even in an emergency.

7.     Use encryption techniques to transmit a camera’s (or a video’s) images.

8.     Store cameras in a safe place because people will steal an entire camera (to sell stored data).

Presented by our very own Career Center, UMBC Connects you to UPS, our featured company of Data Science Week! 

Once known as a trucking company, UPS is now recognized as a technology company with trucks and is poised for success. Spending more than $1 billion a year on information technology, they provide customers unparalleled capability in tracking and distribution intelligence.

Come by to hear an overview on UPS IT and learn about student opportunities from 11:00am-2:00pm  *tomorrow*  in University Center 312. Stop by when you are able, there is no need to stay for the entire event! Co-op opportunities are available (UMBCworks IDs: 9300529, 9300628, 9300690). Access UMBCworks here.

Close out the week with free pizza/drinks and a panel on careers in Data Science! Our Friday Panel will feature:

·       Niels Kasch, Ph.D. and Co-founder Miner & Kasch Data Science and Artificial Intelligence firm - UMBC Alumni

·       Patty Stanton, Lead Data Scientist for the Federal Government and Adjunct Professor at UMBC

·       T. Scott Clendaniel, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, Legg Mason

·       Robert Spangler, Senior IT Specialist, National Archives and Records Administration

Catch the panel from 12:00-12:50pm in ITE 237 on Friday- we'll see you at all of these events!

~Your ISCOM Executive Board