In 2020, a family in Mississippi woke up to a nightmare. Their eight-year-old daughter heard a man’s voice coming from her bedroom, but it wasn’t her father. A hacker had gained access to their Ring camera and was speaking to her through the device, taunting her and playing music until the parents rushed in to unplug it. Ring later confirmed that the account had been compromised because the family was reusing an old, breached password.
Stories like this are unsettling, but they aren’t rare. Smart cameras and other connected devices have become incredibly popular for homes and small businesses alike. The risk isn’t limited to homes. In industries handling sensitive data, one poorly configured camera could open a path to far more than a livestream—it could compromise compliance, leak protected information, or introduce threats into the broader network.
Not all cameras are created equal. Many low-cost models cut corners on security, skipping safeguards like encryption or regular software updates. Even trusted, well-known brands can be vulnerable if users leave default settings in place. Hackers often look for weak spots such as default passwords, outdated firmware or unsecured WiFi connections. In some cases, attackers have even hijacked cameras to view footage or gain deeper access to networks.
If you’re considering buying a new camera or reviewing the ones you already own, it’s important to know what to look for. Before installing or replacing a smart device, look beyond the price tag. Look for:
- End-to-end encryption of footage—especially before cloud upload
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) for all administrator accounts
- Local storage options in case you want more control over data
- Proactive vendor support that includes regular security patches
These aren’t luxury features—they’re minimum requirements for businesses dealing with compliance obligations like HIPAA, CJIS, or SOX.
Of course, the way you set up these devices matters just as much as which ones you buy. Change default usernames and passwords immediately and keep firmware and apps updated so known vulnerabilities get patched quickly. Many devices allow you to enable automatic updates, which is the safest approach. It’s also wise to segment your network so smart devices don’t sit on the same WiFi as your business systems. That way, even if one device is compromised, it doesn’t provide easy access to more sensitive data. And don’t forget your router! Make sure it’s set up with the strongest security settings available so outsiders can’t easily get in.
While cameras get most of the attention, they aren’t the only smart devices you should be thinking about. Doorbells, thermostats and even voice assistants all connect to your network, and if they’re not properly secured, they can become back doors into your business. Every internet-connected device becomes part of your business’s threat surface. That includes anything with a camera, microphone, or sensor. And in high-stakes industries, a breach isn’t just inconvenient—it’s potentially devastating.
Whether you're running a small clinic, managing a community bank, or handling CJIS data, proactive security is non-negotiable. One compromised device shouldn’t be able to expose your whole operation.
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