In 2020, a Mississippi family faced every small business owner’s worst nightmare. Their eight‑year‑old daughter heard a man’s voice coming through her bedroom camera—not her father’s. A hacker had accessed their smart camera and spoke to her through the device, playing music until the parents rushed in and unplugged it. Later, the manufacturer confirmed the account had been compromised because the family reused an old, breached password.
Stories like this are disturbing—but they’re no longer rare. Smart cameras, IoT devices and connected systems have become popular choices for both homes and small businesses. For a business, they can seem like a cost‑effective way to add surveillance: monitor a front door, check inventory rooms, or keep tabs after hours. Yet with that convenience comes serious risk—especially if these devices aren’t secured.
Why Smart Cameras Aren’t Plug‑and‑Play
Not all cameras and smart devices are created equal. Many lower‑cost models skip critical security steps like end‑to‑end encryption or regular firmware updates. Even well‑known brands can be vulnerable if default settings remain unchanged. Hackers look for easy entry points—default passwords, skipped updates, unsecured WiFi. Once inside, they might view footage or gain access to your business network.
In a co‑managed IT environment, this matters a lot. A single compromised camera might seem harmless—but it can serve as a “door” into your core business systems, client information, or financial records.
What Your Business Should Do Before Adding Smart Devices
If you’re looking to install new cameras or review existing ones, these are the questions to ask:
- Choose reputable brands that commit to regular security updates.
- Ensure encryption is used when footage is sent to the cloud—look beyond the marketing.
- Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) for device log‑ins wherever offered.
- Consider local storage options in addition to cloud backups—so you aren’t entirely reliant on external access.
Configuration Matters Just as Much as Device Choice
How you set up devices is just as important as which ones you buy. Be sure to:
- Change default usernames and passwords immediately.
- Keep firmware and apps updated, ideally with automatic updates enabled.
- Segment your network so smart devices are separate from core business systems. That way, if one device is compromised, it doesn’t give access to everything.
- Secure the router—set it with the strongest settings your business network supports to reduce external entry risks.
Think Beyond Cameras: The Wider IoT Risk
Remember: it’s not just cameras you need to watch. Smart doorbells, thermostats, voice assistants—any connected device can open a back door into your business. For a small or midsize business, this means more than an awkward video feed—it could mean exposure of customer records, finances or other critical assets. The more devices you connect, the more important a managed security strategy becomes.
Smart Devices + Managed IT = Safer Devices
Smart devices can make your workplace safer—but only if they’re configured with security in mind. A few proactive steps now can prevent your “smart” gadgets from turning into easy wins for hackers.
Want a second pair of eyes? Let’s make sure your devices are locked down before someone else discovers the vulnerability. Schedule a free discovery call today, and we’ll help you review your setup, tighten your device hygiene and build confidence into your tech stack—before trouble does it for you.