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5 Best Practices for Network and Hardware Security

This document is designed to give general information and recommendations for the enhancement of security related to CCTV and Access control installations. There is no single solution to today’s security challenges, every system is unique and requires its own risk analysis and its own solutions and strategies to address its unique needs, as such, this document should be viewed as a guide and not as a comprehensive set of solutions, no warrantees or guarantees are implied.

Operating Systems and Software

Install and use current operating systems, ensure that they are patched and up-to-date. Make sure that there are procedures in place to keep operating systems updated and/or patched.

Any operational software should be treated in the same manner, use the latest version available from your vendor and make a plan to keep the software updated, if there are associated costs with updates, then factor that into the systems overall cost of ownership.

If there are outside connections being made to the system, make sure that you understand what those connections are for, how many of them there are and if they are necessary. Do not turn off firewalls, instead leave firewalls up and set exceptions for applications within the firewalls. Interconnectivity between devices within a closed network offer a lower security risk than interconnectivity between devices on a LAN and a source that is external to the LAN, never defeat firewalls at this level, consult a network security expert if you need help connecting an external(internet) system to a LAN and always consult with site IT before making changes.

Install anti-virus software on PC’s and servers, choose a reputable product that can detect spyware, ransomware and malware and has the ability to send alerts.

Dedicate PC hardware, if the PC is to be used as a video recorder, then use it only as a recorder, do not add superfluous software or tools, do not allow an employee to use the Server/PC as a mail reading tool or internet surfing tool, disable RDP connections or support software that allow remote access, isolate your equipment from the outside world as much as possible. Some IT departments completely disable internet connectivity to dedicated access control/Video servers, giving them the peace of mind that a security breach is unlikely to originate there. If you absolutely need an outside connection to the system such as in the case for remote viewing of video, use a VPN and ensure that strong security protocols are implemented on the remote connection, there is absolutely no point having great security when your remote user has a login credentials of ‘1234’.

If using a web-based client, wherever possible, use a TLS certificate to insure enable HTTPS browser connections, this encrypts the traffic between your client browsers and server/website.

Set up IP whitelisting for systems that require external connections, this will help to narrow the field of exposure to your internal LAN.

2. Separation of Infrastructure

Create dedicate networks for equipment, place cameras, access control panels and other necessary devices on their own internal network that communicates only with the server/PC that

controls/monitors that equipment, this will further decrease the possibility that a breach at a hardware level will result in an overall network breach.

Not only does this make sense from a security standpoint, but also from a bandwidth point of view; 500 5MP cameras connected to the client network are going to have a substantial impact on the the efficiency of that network.

3. Credential Management

Use strong passwords for operating system logins and for application/device logins, do not repeat passwords across sites, change vendor generated default logins immediately.

If possible, set up a password policy, forcing users to regularly change login passwords, always using strong, complex strings. It is recommended that a password contain a combination upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters, passwords should have no fewer than 8 characters.

Minimize the number of credentials assigned to operating systems, use only one or two administrator profiles and protect those accounts with strong passwords. Use deprecated accounts for system users and limit users’ abilities to make OS or security changes.

Use separate user accounts for all users to ensure separation of risk in case a single user account is compromised.

4. Recovery Plan

Set up a back-up policy that includes secure, daily off-site backup and regularly test that the policy is being implemented correctly. Off site back-ups can be encrypted for an extra level of security.

Create a comprehensive plan for disaster recovery, consider how the site is going to return to full functionality after a catastrophic event. Having a well-defined plan will minimize downtime and give clear direction during a typically chaotic time.

5. User Training and Awareness

Ensure that users understand the system they are working with, train them to minimize internet interaction on mission-critical devices. Make users aware of threats such as phishing and other social engineering attacks and help them to understand these threats and how to avoid them. Always think twice before inserting a memory stick into a mission-critical device.

Further reading available: https://www.cisa.gov/cyber-essentials

Biometric Solutions from IDEMIA enhance business security and efficiency

Enhancing Business Security and Efficiency with Biometric Solutions from IDEMIA

The world’s #1 fingerprint and facial recognition biometric hardware.

IDEMIA technology is used by more than 450 government agencies in over 100 countries, including the FBI and Interpol. IDEMIA readers manage over 3 billion fingerprints worldwide, providing the most trusted solution when it comes to biometrics.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses face increasing challenges in ensuring robust security measures while maintaining operational efficiency. Fortunately, innovative biometric solutions provided by IDEMIA can help address these concerns. IDEMIA offers clients enhanced security, streamlined processes, and improved customer experiences.

Strengthening Identity Verification:
Identity verification is a crucial aspect of many business operations, such as employee onboarding, customer registration, or access control. IDEMIA offers cutting-edge solutions like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, that provide highly accurate and secure methods of authenticating individuals. By leveraging these technologies, your business can mitigate the risks associated with identity fraud, unauthorized access, and impersonation.
Streamlining Access Control:
Traditional access control methods like passwords or access cards are susceptible to security breaches and can be easily shared or stolen. IDEMIA’s biometric access control systems replace these outdated methods with advanced biometric authentication, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access restricted areas or sensitive data. This not only enhances security but also eliminates the need for individuals to remember or carry multiple access credentials, improving convenience and operational efficiency.
Enhancing Time and Attendance Management:
Tracking employee attendance and managing time-related processes can be a significant administrative burden for businesses. IDEMIA’s biometric time and attendance solutions offer accurate and automated tracking by utilizing features such as fingerprint or facial recognition. These systems not only eliminate time theft or buddy punching but also simplify payroll calculations and generate accurate reports, saving valuable time and reducing errors.
Improving Customer Experience:
In sectors such as banking, healthcare, or travel, IDEMIA’s biometric solutions can significantly enhance customer experiences. By implementing technologies like facial recognition, businesses can streamline customer identification processes, reduce paperwork, and provide seamless interactions across various touchpoints. This frictionless experience not only enhances customer satisfaction but also builds trust and loyalty towards your brand.
Enhancing Data Security:
In an era of increasing data breaches and cyber threats, protecting sensitive information is paramount. IDEMIA offers robust solutions for securing digital identities and safeguarding confidential data. Biometric authentication methods provide an additional layer of security beyond traditional passwords, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and identity theft. By leveraging IDEMIA’s biometric products, your business can reinforce data protection measures and comply with regulatory requirements.

IDEMIA’s biometric solutions empower businesses to strengthen security, streamline processes, and enhance customer experiences. By adopting biometric authentication methods, your business can mitigate security risks, improve operational efficiency, and build trust with customers. Embracing IDEMIA’s biometric products positions your business at the forefront of technology, ensuring a competitive edge in today’s dynamic marketplace. Invest in the power of biometrics and unlock a new era of security and efficiency for your business.

Biometric Solutions from IDEMIA enhance business security and efficiency

OMNIA Access Control : The Right Solution for Your Business

Scalable and modular, introducing the OMNIA access control hardware platform.

OMNIA is our new and totally redesigned access control system. Backed by years of industry leading quality, OMNIA brings you the best in scalability, performance and satisfaction, all built on a unique modular platform that easily expands from one door to thousands of doors..

Simple, flexible, and ready for your business.

In the fast-paced world of business, ensuring the security of your premises and protecting sensitive information is paramount. OMNIA Access Control has emerged as a comprehensive and cutting-edge solution that meets the evolving security needs of modern organizations. In this blog, we will explore why OMNIA Access Control is the right choice for your business, highlighting its advanced features, scalability, user-friendly interface, and integration capabilities.

Advanced Security Features:
OMNIA Access Control offers a wide range of advanced security features that provide robust protection for your business. From biometric authentication and multi-factor authentication to secure keycard systems and mobile credentials, OMNIA ensures that only authorized individuals can access your facilities and sensitive areas. With real-time monitoring and intelligent analytics, it helps detect and prevent security breaches, providing you with peace of mind.
Scalability to Meet Growing Needs:
As your business grows, so do your security requirements. OMNIA Access Control offers scalability to accommodate the changing needs of your organization. Whether you have a small office or a sprawling corporate campus, the system can be easily expanded to manage additional doors, floors, or buildings. With OMNIA, you can seamlessly scale your security infrastructure to match the growth of your business without compromising on efficiency or effectiveness.
User-Friendly Interface:
OMNIA Access Control is designed with a user-friendly interface that simplifies access management tasks. The intuitive dashboard allows administrators to easily configure access rights, manage user permissions, and monitor access events. With a few clicks, you can grant or revoke access privileges, track user activity, and generate detailed reports. The user-friendly interface minimizes the learning curve and empowers administrators to efficiently manage access control with ease.
Integration Capabilities:
OMNIA Access Control is built with integration in mind, allowing seamless integration with other security systems and technologies. Whether it’s integrating with video surveillance systems, intrusion detection systems, or alarm systems, OMNIA ensures a cohesive security ecosystem. This integration enhances situational awareness, streamlines operations, and provides a holistic view of your security infrastructure. By integrating OMNIA with other systems, you can leverage the power of a unified security solution.
Customization and Flexibility:
Every business has unique security requirements, and OMNIA Access Control offers customization and flexibility to meet those needs. The system can be tailored to align with your specific access control policies and workflows. Whether you need different access levels for different departments, time-based access restrictions, or custom user groups, OMNIA can be configured to match your business requirements. The flexibility of OMNIA ensures that your access control system is tailored to fit your organization like a glove.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business security, OMNIA Access Control stands out as a comprehensive and reliable solution. With its advanced security features, scalability, user-friendly interface, and integration capabilities, it offers a powerful tool to protect your premises and assets. By choosing OMNIA, you can take control of your access management, enhance security, and ensure the smooth and secure operation of your business.

OMNIA Access Control : The Right Solution for Your Business

How can door access control solutions help protect my business?

The Benefits of Door Access Control Systems for Your Business

Access control is the foundation of a robust security system, allowing us to manage and regulate who enters our facilities, when they can enter, and which areas they can access. It provides an added layer of protection against unauthorized entry, theft, and potential security breaches.

Door access control systems have become an increasingly popular choice for businesses looking to enhance their security measures. With the advancement of technology, traditional lock and key systems are being replaced by more sophisticated and efficient solutions. In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits that door access control brings to businesses of all sizes.

Enhanced Security:
One of the primary reasons businesses invest in door access control is to bolster their security. Unlike traditional locks, access control systems offer a higher level of protection against unauthorized access. With features like biometric authentication, smart cards, or PIN codes, only authorized personnel can gain entry, reducing the risk of theft, vandalism, or other security breaches.
Restrict Access:
Door access control allows businesses to control who can enter specific areas within their premises. This is particularly advantageous for organizations that deal with sensitive information or have restricted areas. By implementing access control, you can limit access to only authorized individuals, ensuring that confidential data and valuable assets remain protected.
Track and Monitor:
Modern access control systems provide comprehensive monitoring capabilities, allowing you to keep track of who enters and exits your premises and when. This feature is invaluable for security purposes, employee attendance tracking, and investigating any suspicious activities. By maintaining an audit trail of access events, you can easily identify any irregularities or security breaches.
Flexibility and Scalability:
Door access control systems are highly flexible and scalable, making them suitable for businesses of all sizes. Whether you have a small office space or a large corporate facility, access control can be tailored to meet your specific requirements. As your business grows, the system can be easily expanded to accommodate additional doors or users, ensuring a seamless security solution.
Convenience and Time Efficiency:
Traditional lock and key systems are often cumbersome, especially in situations where multiple keys are required for different areas. Access control eliminates the need for physical keys and streamlines the entry process. Authorized personnel can use a single card, biometric scan, or PIN code to access multiple doors, saving time and reducing the risk of lost or stolen keys.
Remote Access Management:
Another advantage of door access control systems is the ability to manage access remotely. With cloud-based solutions, administrators can grant or revoke access privileges from anywhere, at any time. This is particularly useful for businesses with multiple locations or for granting temporary access to visitors or contractors.

Investing in a door access control system offers numerous benefits to businesses, ranging from enhanced security to increased convenience and efficiency. By implementing this advanced security solution, you can protect your assets, safeguard sensitive information, and have better control over access to your premises. Stay ahead of the game by upgrading to door access control and ensure the safety and security of your business.

How can door access control solutions help protect my business?

5 Areas to Consider When Choosing a Security Company

There are five major considerations to take into account when it comes to researching, vetting, and ultimately choosing a security company.

1. Location
On the one hand, it seems that choosing a security provider in your local area would be the obvious choice. After all, even the best designed and most up to date systems break down on occasion. Isn’t it best to have a local security provider who can perform on-site maintenance at the drop of a hat?

Actually, today’s technology means that on-site maintenance is becoming less and less important. Access control system providers now have the ability to log into your facility’s system remotely and troubleshoot any issues. Many of these issues can be addressed remotely, too, getting your system back up and running right away.

2. Experience
When selecting a company for security, you want a provider with plenty of experience with access and wander control systems. More specifically, however, you should consider whether the company has experience with long term care facilities.

Long term care facilities have unique needs that differentiate them from other secure facilities. Going with a company that specializes in providing access control for long term care facilities can dramatically improve your overall experience.

3. Expertise
Whether you’re tasked with facility management or maintenance, you have a lot on your plate — and you can’t be an expert in everything. That’s why it’s important to choose a security provider that offers genuine expertise when it comes to access control.

As with anything else, you get what you pay for. Investing in a company with a high level of expertise will give you peace of mind as a facility manager.

4. Training
An access control system is only effective if your facility staff understand how to use it. Does the security company you’re considering provide training for staff members? This is absolutely essential: if you’re going to spend the money on a quality system that’s been installed by skilled professionals, you want to ensure that your staff can utilize all of its capabilities.

5. Service Contracts
Perhaps most importantly of all, you want to go with a company that offers a comprehensive service contract. Choosing an access control provider that will handle all of your maintenance and service needs in-house makes things much easier in the long run. Rather than attempting to communicate with multiple companies to account for multiple needs, you’ll have a single go-to contact with your security provider who can handle any issues that might arise.

We can’t stress enough how important a service contract can be. Comprehensive customer support will include 24/7 system support, proper system certification, access to the right spare parts when needed, and more. You’ll also be in a better position when it comes to preparedness for regulatory inspections.

Learn more about our Security and Access Control Solutions for Long-Term Healthcare Facilities by visiting www.pmtsecurity.com/security-and-access-solutions-for-long-term-care/