Experts in the field often provide standard procedures that could minimize the risk of third-party interference, but the truth remains that many devices are still vulnerable.
Threats of hacking attacks on connected devices have grown rapidly over the years. So much so, that
cybersecurity has become a priority in the physical security realm. Experts in the field often provide standard procedures that could minimize the risk of third-party interference, but the truth remains that many devices are still vulnerable.
According to Joe Danielson, Marketing Manager for Global Enterprise Solutions at
Axis Communications, proactive initiatives are indeed the best way to deal with cybersecurity threats. In a recent blog post, Danielson pointed out that moves such as early detection of inadequate maintenance routines could prove invaluable in ensuring protection.
To know whether the network system of an organization is secure, there are vital clues you could look for. These are not necessarily technical but more to do with how the organization runs. Danielson pointed out four signs to watch out for in this regard.
1. IT and security teams out of sync
The evolution of IP-based solutions has necessitated the involvement of IT teams in physical security processes. Now, the security team need not be the same as IT, but it is important that in any organization, these teams are able to work together in dealing with threats and vulnerabilities. There are several instances where this collaboration becomes vital. “This could be an issue regarding a disparity between how your hardware and software solutions are connected to your network,” Danielson said. “Or how your IT policies recommend they should be connected. A lack of alignment and processes is amplified further when disparate networks are involved, leading to increased confusion regarding the correct security measures to take. In turn, this will increase the risks of data breaches.”
2. Users not following network policies
A significant number of cyber intrusions are caused by human errors. At times, this could be because the users are not aware of best practices. At other times, it could be because despite an organization having policies in place, it fails to enforce them. Whatever be the reason, creating a strong awareness among the users about the need to follow cybersecurity policies and procedures is key to avoiding a data breach.
“Following IT policies is a crucial protocol to avoid extremely preventable breaches,” Danielson said. “By having standards in place, you can ensure your system remains secure and operates at its optimum level. Remember the enforcement of policies needs to be ongoing, as some users or new recruits may be unaware of or be following procedures systematically. Remember: one unintended action could put your whole system at risk. Thus, if the company hasn’t specified clearly defined requirements and expectations with regards to IT security, the organization suffers from a dramatically increased likely to encounter cyberattacks.”
3. Inadequacies in installation and maintenance plans
The importance of maintenance in securing a system can never be stressed enough. Frankly, this is quite obvious but unfortunately, due to several reasons, maintenance is not always a priority for many. According to Danielson, there are instances where, at the time of installation, the systems integrators may not be aware of the full requirements of the customer. Or vendors may be doing a sloppy job in providing regular maintenance services. Regardless of the reason, such situations lead to vulnerabilities.
“Systems that are not well maintained also suffer from dramatically increased susceptibility from cyberattacks,” Danielson noted. “Make sure all stakeholders responsible for maintenance have a clear schedule for testing and maintaining the system, and that a clear audit trail is kept — from the day of installation onwards so any issues can be easily identified and rectified,”
4. Lack of vendor support
If the security solutions vendors are not giving importance to cybersecurity as they provide their solutions, the users themselves may not be fully aware of the requirements. Ideally, vendors should inform the users about the best policies to avoid data breaches. Concluding on this point, Danielson added that organizations, by themselves may not be able to maintain a network that is cybersecure. This should be a collaborative effort with inputs from every player involved in the supply chain.