Cyber Attacks in the AV Industry: Are You Aware of the Risks?
Data is the new petrol, and cyber attacks are the new way of committing crimes. They are not going to steal from you physically, but they will try to steal valuable data for you and ask for a ransom. According to IBM’s 2023 “Cost of a Data Breach” report, alarming statistics indicate a 15% increase in the global average cost of a data breach over three years, reaching USD 4.45 million. As a response, 51% of organizations are planning to boost security investments, covering incident response planning and testing, employee training, and the adoption of threat detection and response tools.
In the ever-evolving landscape of organizations, Audio-Visual (AV) Systems have become essential tools, transforming communication in remote and hybrid work settings. Businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to global corporations, are embracing the advantages of well-equipped audio-visual technology systems. However, this rapid integration has brought an increase in the risk of cyber attacks, posing a significant challenge as AV technology advances in sophistication.
As organizations gear up for the coming year, it’s crucial to incorporate the best practices and trends in cybersecurity tailored specifically to their AV Technology. Proactively embracing comprehensive cybersecurity measures is imperative for businesses of all sizes to minimize the potential risks of cyber threats. Contractors must embrace cybersecurity and implement security procedures, guidelines, and best practices to protect their clients from a potential cyber attack.
First steps and best practices to protect AV systems:
- Make subcontractors your cybersecurity allies. Provide subcontractors with information and instructions on how to safely install and configure AV Systems before they start the job.
- Change the setup configuration. Keeping the factory settings implies a higher risk of a cyber attack. Provide tools and instructions to subcontractors on how to change default passwords, or change them through remote access management.
- Design a system that is prepared to survive a cyber attack. Incorporate design thinking for a potential attack.
- Implement correct AV Network Management. Separate the AV local network from the company’s internal network. Isolate AV devices on a separate network to minimize potential breaches and ensure robust network segmentation. Also, keep all your networks safe.
- Develop an instruction manual for installers. The manual should contain IP tables, user & password tables, and procedures for remote management of configurations. Establish clear policies regarding access to this information.
- Promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness. Make cybersecurity one of the pillars of your service.
Cybersecurity must be the cornerstone of a well-executed AV installation. Unfortunately, we frequently observe contractors investing minimal effort in establishing a cyber-secure environment. It is crucial for contractors to take even the most basic steps to safeguard the installation and configuration of AV systems. Failure to do so may expose their clients to potential risks, leading to severe consequences for daily business operations.
Consider implementing security measures, empowering subcontractors to adhere to the highest standards of cybersecurity. By adopting these measures, organizations can leverage the power of AV technology while maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their systems.