Cybersecurity Best Practices for Protecting Security Systems

We examine why cybersecurity is so important when considering and installing commercial systems and some of the best setup practices.
Published: October 9, 2024

Even the most advanced and capable commercial security systems are at risk from hacking and malicious activity. That’s why cybersecurity best practices are top of mind these days.

Cybersecurity providers, installers and end users all have to be on their toes to make sure security hardware is working effectively – you can’t, regrettably, just set a piece of security equipment to run and expect it to provide infinite protection without maintenance.

In this article, we examine why cybersecurity is so important when considering and installing commercial systems and what some of the best practices are when setting them up for clients.

Security Integrators’ Role in Cybersecurity Best Practices

One of the best ways to ensure that commercial security is optimized against the latest hacking attempts is simply to make sure devices are communicating with each other effectively. For example, you could set up physical sensors and alarms that trigger other devices to leap into action.

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However, the risks with interconnected devices are that if, say, several devices are connected to an unsecured router, they are all at risk from bad actors who can try to hack in and access data or take over the network. That means cameras, access controls, and any data stored are on the line.

Security integrators play a huge role in ensuring commercial premises are fully optimized for cybersecurity best practices. Integrators who are well-versed in the latest cybersecurity practices ensure that hardware is up to date with the latest firmware and that potentially vulnerable devices like routers are effectively protected. However, updating firmware is only the tip of the iceberg to securing a site.

If you’re an integrator yourself, it’s always wise to get clued up on best practices and the latest cybersecurity trends. After all, for your clients, you’re often the first line of defense they have against unwanted intrusion.

Cybersecurity Best Practices in Commercial Security

Ultimately, commercial cybersecurity best practices will depend on a client’s exact needs and the hardware involved. However, there are a few suggestions worth following to ensure that you’re safe against evolving cyber threats.

  • Use strong, secure passwords for all your devices—cameras, monitors, and all suites that clients use to manage them—don’t use phrases like 12345 or just “password” to protect them!
  • Keep devices’ firmware up to date. Reputable manufacturers release regular patches and upgrades to ensure your equipment is free from vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Integrators, therefore, should be on hand to ensure devices are up to date against the latest threats.
  • Run regular security audits and checks with leading cybersecurity experts. For example, consider penetration testing, which assesses security features inside and out.
  • Implement the best possible protocols. Beyond physical security, commercial users should also have reliable firewall solutions, and it’s wise to set up an encryption process. Where possible, integrators should think carefully about how to merge cybersecurity and physical security standards.
  • Set up advanced access control methods like biometric systems and multi-factor authentication. For example, you could ensure authorized people can only access hardware through fingerprint or face ID or allow them to log in through two or three separate devices.
  • An integrated approach to commercial security ensures that threats are easier to measure and monitor and that management of cybersecurity and physical threats is streamlined. It’s less hassle and worry for everyone involved.

Compliance and Regulatory Considerations

Commercial businesses and buildings operating across the US are required to adhere to several compliance standards and regulations. For example, card handling is regulated via the PCI DSS, and any businesses holding data on European Union clients must adhere to the GDPR.

Even if an organization does not fit into one of the required regulatory categories, utilizing a regulatory framework can be advantageous; the NIST 800-53 standards should be a go to.

Integrators and cybersecurity experts working with commercial businesses must consider ways to adhere to compliance standards set for different industries. Therefore, the most proactive integrators and installers will immerse themselves in the different rules and regulations that apply to their clients before getting started.

The safest route to take is, of course, to accept that you can never be too careful. When companies store sensitive data on a hard drive or cloud device, for example, there must be effective password protocols put in place, and adequate air-gapped backups and disaster recovery options lined up.

A thorough, conscientious approach to establishing cybersecurity measures for commercial clients is the best approach when considering compliance. Integrators working with cybersecurity specialists will also have a clear understanding of what they need to protect and to what extent.

Security Technology Trends and Innovations

As cyber threats evolve, so do technological trends that fight back against them. Artificial intelligence (AI), of course, has made its way into the cybersecurity sphere, where business owners can use machine learning to train systems to recognize faults and threats before they have the chance to wreak havoc.

Finally, integrators and commercial business operators should also consider zero trust models. Zero trust methodology essentially follows the idea that “everything is a threat” – meaning that even previously authorized personnel from within a company will need to go through ID and authentication checks each time they request access to sensitive information.

These are just three trends currently making waves in commercial cybersecurity. With threats always evolving behind the scenes, it’s likely we will see more innovations sooner rather than later.

Conclusion

Commercial businesses are just as likely to fall prey to cyberattacks as SaaS firms or service providers. Therefore, integrators must be ready to research, design, and implement reliable protections against evolving threats.

A great start is to run a complete audit of existing security measures, combine cybersecurity measures with physical access control, and, in time, bring in cybersecurity experts for compliance advice.

Tyler Owen is the senior director of product management for managed security services at VikingCloud.

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Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
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