Hikvision cameras carry security risks, network vulnerabilities
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlights the security risks and network vulnerabilities associated with Hikvision cameras.
Nov 15, 2017
PITTSBURGH — You’ll never see Hikvision cameras installed by Dagostino Electronic Services but do you know why?
A recent report in the Wall Street Journal highlighting the dangers associated with the cameras mirrors what DES warns its customers about.
Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security issued a cybersecurity warning stating some of Hikvision’s cameras contained a loophole making them easily exploitable by hackers.
Forty-two percent of Hikvision is owned by the Chinese government and many security vendors in the U.S. have banned the sale of their cameras over fears they could be used to spy on Americans.
Security-industry trade publication IPVM released the video below that shows just how easy it is for a hacker to gain access.
John Honovich, editor of IPVM, estimates Hikvision flaws identified by the Department of Homeland Security affect more than “200 camera models and potentially tens of millions of shipped devices.”
DES does not sell Hikvision cameras. The security risks and network vulnerabilities aren’t worth the risk to customers.
“We’ve never installed Hikvision cameras and never will,” said DES Security Manager Mark Gillenberger. “Our customer’s security and our reputation are far more important than saving a few dollars.”
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Hikvision’s cameras are cheaper in comparison to commercial grade equipment and some integrators use their systems to win business.
Unfortunately, Hikvision also rebrands cameras and video recorders for other companies. It’s becoming a serious problem faced by security industry leaders today.
IPVM has a directory of companies that carry some products manufactured by Hikvision that have been rebranded. There are more than 70 companies listed.
Gillenberger warns, “The only way to ensure that you are not putting yourself at risk is to only buy security products from trusted manufacturers.”
He added, “I would recommend never buying security products online or from big box stores that sell products under their private label.”
As security professionals, DES personnel spend hours reading through trade articles and attending industry seminars.
Gillenberger added, “You can be sure that DES has done the homework before we recommend a product to our customer.”
Read the full Wall Street Journal article at wsj.com. (Subscription required.)
Read more about the vulnerability of Hikvision cameras at ipvm.com.
For a full line of security products and solutions offered by DES, visit descomm.com/security.
