Spoofing IP based CCTV systems

The case against the security of IP based CCTV systems was recently highlighted with the release of a new tool shown at the Defcon hacker conference in Las Vegas.  A security assessment tool, Videojak has the ability to both intercept Internet video feeds and eject false 'looped' images.

Similar in concept to Hollywood's "Mission Impossible" where the attacker can hack, monitor and record a CCTV feed (when nothing is happening), then play this back in a loop to hide the actual live feed (presumably while Tom Cruise is lowered down on a black rope).

This tool also provides the ability to intercept video conferencing.

To be on the safe side, if you are using any kind of conferencing facility you should assume that the information can be intercepted. With the popularity of IP streamed video systems we are not sure if our network is compromised or not.

Video Management System

Video Management System 

How to Design Video Surveillance Solutions 

Video management systems are the hub of video surveillance solutions, accepting video from cameras, storing the video and managing distribution of video to viewers. 

There are 4 fundamental options in video management systems. Most organizations choose 1 of the 4. However, as companies may have multiple types when they transition between one and another. 

DVRs are purpose built computers that combine software, hardware and video storage all in one. By definition, they only accept analog camera feeds. Almost all DVRs today support remote viewing over the Internet. DVRs are very simple to install but they significantly limit your flexibility in expansion and hardware changes. DVRs are still today the most common option amongst professional buyers. However, DVRs have definitely fallen out of favor and the trend is to move to one of the 3 categories below. 

HDVRs or hybrid DVRs are DVRs that support IP cameras. They have all the functionality of a DVR listed above plus they add support for IP and megapixel cameras. Most DVRs can be software upgraded to become HDVRs. Such upgrades are certainly a significant trend and is 

attractive because of the low migration cost (supports analog and IP cameras directly). Learn more about the value and issues in selecting HDVRs. 

NVRs are like DVRs in all ways except for camera support. Whereas a DVR only supports analog cameras, an NVR only supports IP cameras. To support analog cameras with an NVR, an encoder must be used. 

IP Video Surveillance Software is a software application, like Word or Excel. Unlike DVRs or NVRs, IP Video Surveillance Software does not come with any hardware or storage. The user must load and set up the PC/Server for the software. This provides much greater freedom 

and potentially lower cost than using DVR/NVR appliances. However, it comes with significant more complexity and time to set up and optimize the system. IP Video Surveillance Software is the hottest trend in video management systems currently and is the most frequent choice for very large camera counts (hundreds or more). 

From IPvideomarket.info