Keeping up with cybersecurity went from being optional to being an obligation for organizations.
By Mig Paredes*
As more and more IoT devices share the same network for scaling efficiencies, they inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities into function areas that are simply not used to handling these threats.
The same threats that impact traditional IT systems, such as DDOS attacks, viruses, malware, spyware or ransomware, also affect physical firewalls, but are much more problematic when IoT devices are introduced to environments where people or customers are not used to handling the potential vulnerability that these systems can represent.
How to protect organizations? Well, one of the keys to offering an ideal solution to counteract these challenges is to understand the potential of the technology of the moment. In the electronic security industry, for example, equipment manufacturers have historically forged alliances to create more complete solutions; it is then a duty for integrators to understand these benefits in order to identify the most suitable system for their respective customers.
That said, it is worth mentioning the cyber attack shield that represents the combination of Razberi equipment with Milestone Systems' video management software (VMS).
A shield that is forged step by step
After making its physical connections, the integrator mounts the server at a strategic distribution point, either a floor, a living room or a building (depending on the project), configures the networks and gives IP address to the cameras. It starts the computer, installs the Milestone Systems software and from there begins to include the different devices in the database.
Once it is working in this way, with the Razberi server the operator can open an interface on the server, which displays several options of cybersecurity layers and enables a dashboard, which shows information such as the different security methods that were chosen and the status of each one.
With this system you can also select the type of protocol that communicates with the box, or what type of networks can reach it or configure it to launch an alert when, for example, they disconnect a camera.
With the right profile it is possible to monitor the health of the equipment and identify any type of cyber breach, a function unique to Razberi, such as if some type of virus tries to penetrate the system. These are all added values that the integrator can offer the customer and that we as manufacturers look for ways for anyone with the basic knowledge to make use of these sophisticated solutions and use them in a simple way.
From Razberi we handle different types of servers designed to face these challenges. We have hybrid equipment or, in the cases of extreme environments, where there is no infrastructure such as borders, tolls or urban surveillance, we have servers such as rugged that can also guarantee cybersecurity.
There are also high-end equipment that can reach up to 168TB of storage, which receive information from hundreds of cameras. It all depends on the environment, resources and need.
Servers and analytics
This system as such, in addition to recording and storing, can incorporate video management software such as milestone systems. Many organizations use the software for specific tasks such as facial identification, flow analysis, traffic in people and cars, etc.
All versions of Milestone Systems software are compatible with all types of Razberi. In addition, this alliance flags the CameraDefense™, a cyber software suit that Razberi has integrated into the XProtect.
In addition to alerting when a door opens, or if there are suspicious movements, the same guard can be notified through this combination of technologies if they disconnect a camera, for example, all on the same screen.
That's when we're meeting the goal that organizations can integrate physical security and cybersecurity teams; that instead of having different groups in a company, in charge of different functions, the same physical security people understand the scope of cybersecurity, and in this way they can optimize processes and resources.
*Mig Paredes is director of strategic alliances for Razberi Technologies.
