I got into IP camera systems because I wanted to see better video quality than traditional analog cameras could provide. I love that a single cable can provide video, audio, power and camera control. However the thing that worries me the most about IP camera systems is security vulnerabilities.
Every day I read news reports of criminals and government agencies, at home and around the world, hacking into computer and phone networks. I hate the idea of strangers hacking into IP camera systems and looking at my business or home. Even worse, cloud storage must be a honey pot for hackers as breaking into one facility would potentially provide access to video surveillance of hundreds or thousands of customers. I wonder how often some dodgy character unscrews an external IP camera, plugs the Ethernet plug into a laptop and sniffs around to see what they can find on the internal network? Analog cameras never provided such an easy way to "look" inside someone's building or network.
In the ongoing quest to produce IP cameras with the most features and at the lowest possible price, I wonder just how many resources are put into ensuring the cameras have the best possible security features and are exhaustively tested for vulnerabilities?
I'd be interested in any comments about how other members determine if an IP camera has excellent or only average security features and if it's possible to find out how well they have been tested for security vulnerabilities.
What do you do to keep your IP systems secure? Is it too far-fetched to consider unplugging IP camera systems from the Internet?
Do HDCVI camera systems have an inherent security advantage over IP camera systems with only the DVR being at risk from outside attack?
I wonder if IPVM might consider a course on IP security for IP camera systems and/or access control systems? I'd certainly sign up. Thank you in advance for your collective wisdom on this topic.