CCTV, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Managed Services, Q&A, Technology

What is Cloud Based VMS?

Security camera systems are literally everywhere. They’re on the street, in offices, shops, homes, even vehicles. Formerly known as CCTV, or closed circuit television, these days they go by a number of names. The most common is VMS or video management system. Video surveillance system is another variation. Subsets are Cloud video management system (Cloud VMS) or VIaaS, video intelligence as a service, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect specific attributes or activities.

A modern VMS uses end-to-end digital technologies, including network, or ‘IP-based’ cameras. CCTV used older, analogue technology. CCTV systems typically included an on-premises recording device, a DVR or digital video recorder. As the name suggests this device recorded the camera output digitally, but typically, the cameras connected to it were analogue devices connected via co-axial cable. The DVR was superseded by the NVR, or network video recorder. Cameras were connected to the NVR via network cable in the same way as local computers, servers, printers and so on. They usually shared the same network infrastructure. They were cumbersome and clunky, often with frustratingly buggy software.

To the Cloud

Over the last decade, we’ve seen a massive migration of digital technologies to the cloud. The cloud offers lower total cost of ownership, easier management, better risk management and business continuity, especially when things go wrong. Perhaps best of all, the cloud makes services available anywhere. VMS is no exception, and all these benefits are now available in cloud-based video management systems.

Cyber Risks

A video management system is primarily a set of security controls, implemented to protect things that are important to us. They might be to secure premises or objects of value, or less tangible things, like worker safety or traffic flow. It follows that they need to be secure themselves. Adoption of these systems can introduce complex cyber risk issues. An insecure VMS might be worse than none at all, if the wrong people can gain access. A few years ago, it was discovered that more than 100,000 Internet-connected cameras had been hacked to form a massive ‘botnet’ (PCWorld, 2017). In 2021 a major provider of security services to a wide range of institutions, including healthcare, schools and prisons, was hacked and security camera output exposed on the Internet (Forescout, 2021). Many thousands more cameras were simply never secured when installed and are still freely available to view online (SecurityCamCenter.com, 2022).

Cyber Security

A VMS must be secure by design, meaning that security is built into the components throughout their development, and secure by default, which means that the system conforms to security baselines from the time of its installation.

Essential features of a secure, robust VMS are:

Encryption, to protect data, both at rest (when stored) and in motion (when transmitted);
Secure protocols, like HTTPS, to prevent ‘eavesdropping’ or data theft;
Secure user access controls: robust passwords, multi-factor authentication and auditing;
Segregation from business or operational systems to guard against lateral movement by malware or hackers.

Managed Services

Surveillance system technologies and management have converged with information system technologies and management. That means the skillsets required for their management have also converged.

It doesn’t make sense to have a surveillance system installed by suppliers who have no expertise outside a narrow focus on security cameras, who simply ‘bolt on’ the surveillance system to the network infrastructure, and then leave, with no regard for risk management or security implications. A VMS must be planned, installed and managed by systems integrators who understand all of these systems and are experienced and qualified to address security.. and cyber security considerations.

Cloud Video Management System

Baw Baw IT has partnered with Eagle Eye Networks to offer cloud video management systems as a service. Eagle Eye Cloud VMS is a simple, scalable, feature-rich video surveillance solution. It’s far and away the best VMS for small and medium businesses. Its quality and features are impressive:

View output reliably on any device, anywhere;
Compatible with existing ONVIF-S standard cameras;
Management Portal and Dashboard;
Unlimited sites and users;
Simple monthly per-camera billing, no CC fees, no fixed term;
Secure, cloud-based, distributed data storage;
Secure integration and segregation from business systems;
Data encrypted at rest and in motion;
Simple, secure user access management with auditing and MFA;
Excellent technical and training support;
Many features available, including:
- Quick camera share, e.g. with first responders;
- People counting;
- Line-crossing and area intrusion detection;
- Licence plate recognition;
- Vehicle and body cams;
- Long term archiving;
- Google Map integration;
Range of hardware devices to suit different environments, all with lifetime warranty;
Demo and trial units available.

Eagle Eye is the Global Leader in True Cloud Video Surveillance, managed and supported by Baw Baw IT.

If you’re concerned about the security of your video management system or if you’re just sick of dealing with a clunky system that doesn’t do what it should, talk to Baw Baw IT – 1300 01 66 73