From the Editor's desk: No really, take it seriously

July 2019 News & Events

Cybersecurity is a topic that has been done to death in the media. The blanket coverage has been so great that people, even the few that realised the danger, have started to gloss over the issue, barely pausing to read the gossip of who got hacked and what they lost.

In the physical security industry, and Hi-Tech Security Solutions in particular, we have been talking about cybersecurity for a long time, both as a general topic and focusing more on the risks the physical security market faces. In May this year we ran an article in which Vivotek announced it had teamed up with Trend Micro to include cybersecurity for its surveillance products (the article is at www.securitysa.com/62747n).

Some of the more cynical readers may have thought this was just another marketing stunt designed to get some attention. It wasn’t. Trend Micro recently released a report stating that, following the Vivotek partnership, it has blocked five million attempted cyberattacks against IP cameras in just five months. These results were aggregated from 7000 IP cameras. (You can find the article at <a href=http://www.securitysa.com/*trend1 target=”_blank”> www.securitysa.com/*trend1</a>, redirects to ( https://newsroom.trendmicro.com/press-release/company-milestones/trend-micro-software-strengthens-security-cameras-blocking-5-millio).

Mirai and its variants are one (only one, but perhaps the most famous malware in this segment) of the malware groups being used for attacks, with the report showing 75% of these attacks “were brute force login attempts” that “opens the door for further system exploitation”. If you thought cybersecurity vulnerabilities were only an IT problem, this article will change your mind.

Fortunately, these two companies are not the only ones aware of this type of threat. A consulting engineer who was active in the security field in South Africa for many years before moving to the UK a year or so ago, told me he is now involved with a company looking at establishing standards (in the ‘secure by design’ mould) that would see security being built into devices like cameras from the initial manufacturing stage. Not simply adding security ‘stuff’ as an afterthought, security would be top of mind throughout the design and manufacturing processes to ensure the most secure device possible eventually hits the market.

Of course the software running on the hardware would also need security standards and we have and are seeing, many security manufacturers incorporating the secure by design philosophy into their own equipment, both hardware and software. While this is to be lauded, perhaps the industry should get together to devise some global security standards on top of which individual companies can add value with their own products and services.

Fortunately this is already happening with SAST (Safety and Security Things) and the OSSA (Open Security & Safety Alliance). We will be covering these two organisations and their goals in the CCTV Handbook 2019, coming out in a couple of months.

And on the topic of the CCTV Handbook, if you have surveillance ideas or implementations you think are worth talking about, feel free to let me know at [email protected].

Andrew Seldon.



Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Unlock the future of security operations in Bloemfontein
DeepAlert News & Events Surveillance
Security professionals and business leaders are invited to revolutionise their offsite monitoring operations at the DeepAlert Product Road Show, taking place on 16 – 17 September 2025, at the Schoemanspark Golf Club, Bloemfontein.

Read more...
Hytera supports communication upgrade for Joburg
News & Events Infrastructure Government and Parastatal (Industry)
By equipping Johannesburg’s metro police and emergency services with multimode radios which integrate TETRA and LTE networks, Hytera is bridging coverage gaps and improving response times across the city.

Read more...
Your Wi-Fi router is about to start watching you
News & Events Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management
Advanced algorithms are able to analyse your Wi-Fi signals and create a representation of your movements, turning your home's Wi-Fi into a motion detection and personal identification system.

Read more...
ProtecLink 2025: Ithegi Electronics supports a safer, smarter security ecosystem
News & Events
If you are a security buyer, operations lead, or technology partner, do not miss ProtecLink 2025, to be held in Polokwane on 16 September 2025, at the Polokwane Royal Hotel.

Read more...
Directory of suppliers
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Fire & Safety
The Directory of Product and Solution Suppliers for the fire safety industry includes details of companies that provide security and risk mitigation products, advice, and services within this market.

Read more...
Fire safety in commercial kitchens
Technews Publishing Kestrel Distribution Products & Solutions Fire & Safety Commercial (Industry)
Fire safety in commercial kitchens is becoming increasingly critical. Defender is Europe’s first EN 17446:2021-approved kitchen hood fire suppression system and offers the indispensable safety measures required.

Read more...
Secutel maintains ISO certifications
News & Events Fire & Safety
Secutel Technologies has successfully recertified all four of its ISO standards, a reflection of its continued commitment to excellence, client trust, and operational integrity.

Read more...
SABRIC appoints Andre Wentzel as interim CEO
News & Events Financial (Industry) Associations
The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has announced the appointment of Andre Wentzel as interim chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Read more...
Choicejacking bypasses smartphone charging security
News & Events Information Security
Choicejacking is a new cyberthreat that bypasses smartphone charging security defences to confirm, without the victim’s input or consent, that the victim wishes to connect in data-transfer mode.

Read more...
Paxton cuts emissions by over a third
Paxton News & Events
Paxton has announced a significant reduction in its carbon footprint, cutting emissions by 961 tonnes of CO2e in its 2023 second reporting year.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.