The communization of video surveillance equipment has led to wide-scale consumer adoption of equipment that’s not only IP-enabled, but also cloud-powered. The VSaaS (Video Surveillance as a Service) and global IP Video Surveillance market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 37.3% during 2012-2020, estimated at $57.34 billion, with the Asia Pacific region the fastest-growing market, at a CAGR of 44.3%.
Considering that cloud-based solutions and storage usually accommodate IP-enabled video surveillance devices, the problem of flexibility and scalability with existing networks or infrastructures is usually handled by the new generation of “smart” IP cameras. Offering video analytics and management options, smart IP cameras have begun to hit the consumer market, targeting users preoccupied with privacy and smart home security.
Pros and Cons for Smart Surveillance
Some key benefits of IP cameras revolve around the ability to store data off-site in the cloud, allowing users to remotely access their footage from any location without worrying about back-ups or data corruption due to hardware failures. Some providers also offer real-time event detection, target tailing, and even post-event analysis.
While this feature can be extremely useful, users need to make sure that access to that cloud data is restricted and they’re the only ones who have access to it. More so, some smart cameras have issues with encrypting traffic, as in they either don’t encrypt by default it or use poor encryption.
Access to your surveillance via a mobile app is a usability feature that most users appreciated, although sometimes such apps can be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks via unsecured Wi-Fi networks or they’re outdated and don’t enforce recommended security best practices.
Keep an eye on your home remotely can be extremely useful — if you’re the one doing it. But what would happen if a vulnerability in your IP camera allowed an attacker to watch your home? What if your privacy could be breached, allowing a strange to watch your every move, Big Brother style?
The worst case scenario in all this is that by having an IP camera breached, a cybercriminal could take control of your entire network, affecting more than just your surveillance equipment. He could affect your entire home network traffic and potentially tamper with other smart home appliances.
The Integrated Home Network Cybersecurity Solution
In light of such potential vulnerabilities, security researchers raised numerous questions regarding the development of new non-traditional security technologies and mechanisms that could protect the plethora of home network smart devices – IP cameras included – from cyberattacks.
Technology-driven security provider Bitdefender has come up with the answer. An all-inclusive cybersecurity solution packed into one smartphone-controlled device dubbed Bitdefender Box has hit the U.S. in an attempt to tackle the IoT security problem. Bitdefender Box, a sleek and stylish home network appliance, is built to secure every home network smart device that’s connected to the internet. Everything from smart IP cameras to smart thermostats to traditional devices, such as laptops and mobile devices, fall under the protection of the Box and are kept safe from online threats or attacks.
If you value your home privacy and don’t want cybercriminals spying on you in your own home, consider a security solution that will offer much more than just security for your smart home. Consider one that also offers peace of mind.