7 ways to strengthen your cybersecurity posture right now

By 2026, global cybersecurity spending will reach $522 billion. Recent research in the physical security industry reflects this momentum. This year alone, 37% of organizations are planning to launch new cybersecurity projects.

It’s no surprise why. Every year, cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. Since November 2021, the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been updating its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. There are over 1,500 entries so far.

Powerful AI models that claim to autonomously find zero-day vulnerabilities are also raising concerns about the pace of cyberattacks. While IT teams are doing everything they can to keep up, knowing what tools are at your disposal can help enhance your organization’s cybersecurity posture. Keep reading to learn about the top seven ways to harden your physical security system today.

CHECKLIST

 

 Enhance your password management

Regularly updating your device passwords is a must in today’s world. Passwords can end up in the wrong hands or become known, so it’s good practice to modify them to ensure ongoing protection.

Using strong passwords with a mix of characters, numbers, and symbols is a great way to ensure they don’t become compromised. But coming up with strong passwords all the time can be a headache.

Within Security Center, you can use our built-in password manager to generate strong, randomized device passwords that follow supported device manufacturers’ rules. You can also configure the system to automatically update your camera passwords on a schedule or in batches.

 Automate software and firmware updates 

Ensuring that your software and firmware are up to date is a critical factor in remaining cyber resilient. That’s because product updates often include important fixes that address new vulnerabilities.

But when you have multiple vendor products in your environment, trying to keep track of all the recent updates can be time-consuming.

The Genetec Update Service informs you when new product updates are available, so you can get the latest fixes.

Our Firmware Vault is another tool that lets you know when new IP camera firmware has been released. With a few clicks, you can then download and distribute those updates to ensure you have the latest defenses.

 Implement many layers of defense

The most effective cybersecurity strategies include various layers of defense. At the most basic level, you’ll want to use advanced encryption, authorization, and authentication methods to protect your data.

But consider taking it a step further to prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands. You could deploy multi-factor authentication, which involves three key facets:

1. Something you know: Username and passwords or PINS   

2. Something you have: Certificates, tokens, or phone authenticator apps  

3. Something you are: Biometrics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition

You should also frequently review your system access privileges to make sure only the necessary people have access to your applications and data. If you use Security Center, you can update access privileges using the Privilege Troubleshooter from the Config Tool. This tool helps you allocate user privileges and identify any privileges that should be updated or revoked. Using the Privilege Troubleshooter, you can search for and export the following information:

• Entity view – Who has permission to work with a selected entity 

• User view – What privileges are granted to selected users or groups 

• Privilege view – Who has been granted a privilege, has access to a specific entity, or both

With that information, you can clearly see how all your permissions are configured and then adjust them as needed.

 Start using built-in maintenance tools

Securing your physical security systems can sap a lot of time. Sure, you might be able to self-assess your system's health and performance. But when other important tasks come up, it’s easy to push system maintenance aside for another day.

Want to simplify how you monitor your physical security system’s health? Check out these maintenance tools available within Security Center:

• System Availability Monitor (SAM) – Keep watch over the status of your system components and receive alerts to issues like devices falling offline

• Security score widget – Track the security of your system in real time and follow recommendations to improve your score and cybersecurity posture

• Custom health dashboards – View all your critical system health data in one central place to see what’s happening in real time and address vulnerabilities

Enhance your compliance with privacy legislation

Data protection and privacy frameworks are evolving everywhere. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aside, governments around the world are enacting their own data privacy laws, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Staying on top of your privacy doesn’t only strengthen your cybersecurity initiatives. It also helps your business avoid hefty fines and develop more trust with your customers.

Tools like automated video retention schedules and video analytics that anonymize identities in live or recorded video can help you comply with regulations. Using digital evidence management solutions to securely share private data upon request can further streamline your efforts to comply with evolving laws.

Adapt to hybrid work scenarios

Hybrid and remote work are here to stay. Many businesses have adopted a hybrid work environment, and IT teams must find ways to adapt their networks, systems, and policies so employees can securely work from home when needed.

Deploying cloud and hybrid solutions can help your team stay on top of threats. After all, when you have hundreds of locations around the world, the complexities of maintaining and securing many on-premises systems can skyrocket.

When you deploy cloud services, you’ll have access to the latest built-in cybersecurity features. Plus, you’ll always get the latest versions and fixes as soon as they’re available. You can also choose to deploy your security systems on-premises while archiving video in the cloud. All this ensures higher levels of redundancy and availability.

Lean on cyber-minded vendors

Tackling cyber threats shouldn’t be a solo mission. One of the best ways to lower your risk is to choose reputable vendors that are serious about cybersecurity. These vendors prioritize data protection and privacy when developing their solutions, and they make sure cybersecurity and privacy features are enabled by default.

A trusted vendor will also proactively monitor the emergence of new threats, inform you about known vulnerabilities, and share strategies and fixes for quick remediation.

One way they keep customers informed is by offering hardening guides. For instance, the Security Center 5.14 hardening guide highlights all the basic and advanced security features, with specific recommendations for keeping your system and devices secure.