Why Your Security Cameras Might Be Your Biggest Security Risk
One in three data breaches in 2024 involved an IoT device, and IP cameras are among the riskiest IoT devices facing over 820,000 daily attacks. If that statistic doesn't make you reconsider your surveillance system, consider this: 60% of IoT breaches happen due to outdated firmware, and the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024—a 10% increase from the previous year.
Many businesses believe they're enhancing security by installing cameras. But if those cameras aren't properly specified, configured, and professionally installed, they're not just failing to protect you—they're actively creating backdoors for cybercriminals to exploit your entire network.
We recently encountered a high-security office building in New York that had been operating under a dangerous illusion for nearly two decades. They had what they thought was a surveillance system. What they actually had was a liability—cobbled-together analog cameras, most of which had stopped working years ago. When they needed footage to identify someone, there was nothing usable. Just grainy shadows and blind spots.
This isn't rare. It's epidemic.
Professional security camera installation by certified security engineers isn't just about mounting cameras on walls—it's about protecting your entire network, ensuring your footage is actually usable when you need it, and creating a surveillance system that enhances security rather than undermining it.
The Dangerous Myth That "All Cameras Are the Same"
Walk into any big-box retailer or scroll through Amazon, and you'll find hundreds of security cameras at incredibly low prices. Many are white-labeled products manufactured overseas with no meaningful manufacturer support, discontinued firmware, and documented vulnerabilities that will never be patched.
The allure is understandable: why pay thousands for a professional security camera installation when you can buy a camera for $50 and mount it yourself?
Here's why: because that $50 camera might cost you $4.88 million.
Security camera manufacturers face intense pressure to push products to market quickly, which often leads to security being an afterthought. Customers compare specifications, price points, and reviews, but rarely consider the cybersecurity posture of the product. This is especially true for small businesses and property managers who simply want cameras that work—without understanding the potential risks lurking beneath the surface.
Consider this real-world example: AVTECH IP cameras, commonly used in critical infrastructure including finance and healthcare facilities, had an unpatched vulnerability dating back to 2019. In 2024, that five-year-old vulnerability was actively exploited to spread Mirai malware. Despite being a known issue, no patch was immediately available. Organizations using these cameras had unknowingly created entry points into their networks for half a decade.
This isn't an isolated incident. Mass-market cameras often ship with default passwords, inadequate encryption, and no mechanism for security updates. When vulnerabilities are discovered, there's frequently no manufacturer support to address them—the company has moved on to the next product cycle, leaving customers exposed.
Reputable manufacturers like Axis Communications take a fundamentally different approach. Their cameras receive regular firmware updates, have dedicated cybersecurity teams monitoring for vulnerabilities, and provide long-term support lifecycles. As Axis Certified Professionals, Connextivity's team understands these critical differences in camera specifications, cybersecurity protocols, and manufacturer support—distinctions that separate surveillance that protects from surveillance that exposes.
The office building we mentioned earlier? Their original system used cheap, mismatched cameras with no low-light capability. At night, the footage was essentially worthless—just dark, grainy images that couldn't identify anyone. Some cameras covered only a small portion of the lobby, missing critical areas entirely. Others were aimed at walls or ceilings, suggesting whoever installed them had no understanding of security coverage principles. This wasn't security. It was theater.
The Technical Engineering That Makes or Breaks Your System
Professional security camera installation for business applications requires far more than knowing how to drill holes and run cables. It demands understanding of camera specifications, network architecture, coverage analysis, and cybersecurity principles that most installers simply don't possess.
Camera Specifications That Actually Matter
Resolution is just the starting point. A 4K camera poorly positioned is worthless compared to a properly engineered 1080p system. What matters is pixels per foot (or meter) at the point where identification needs to occur. Will this camera provide forensic-quality footage that can identify individuals, read license plates, or serve as evidence?
Low-light performance separates professional-grade cameras from commodity products. Technologies like Axis's Lightfinder 2.0 deliver color footage in near-darkness—critical for nighttime security when most incidents occur. Our office building client was amazed by the nighttime clarity of their new system, specifically praising this capability since their old cameras captured nothing but darkness after sunset.
Wide dynamic range (WDR) addresses one of the most common installation failures: backlit scenarios. A camera pointed at an entrance with bright sunlight behind the subject will typically show either a blown-out background or a silhouetted figure. Forensic WDR technology balances these extreme lighting conditions, ensuring clear facial identification even in challenging scenarios like lobbies with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Compression standards matter too. Axis Zipstream technology, which we implemented in the office building project, reduces bandwidth and storage requirements by up to 50% while preserving forensic detail—critical for businesses that need to retain weeks or months of footage without massive storage investments.
Installation Angles and Coverage: Where Engineering Meets Security
The office building's original system perfectly illustrated what happens when cameras are installed without security engineering expertise. One camera covered maybe 20% of their main lobby—the other 80% was a complete blind spot. Stairwells, a common security concern in multi-story buildings, had zero coverage. Camera heights were inconsistent, angles were wrong, and several cameras pointed at areas with no security value whatsoever.
Professional installation requires understanding detection vs. recognition vs. identification requirements. A camera meant to detect that someone is present needs different positioning than one meant to identify a specific individual. Mounting heights affect facial capture angles—too high and you capture the tops of heads; too low and you miss the scene entirely.
After our security assessment and engineering design, we provided complete lobby coverage, stairwell cameras, and proper angles throughout. We added an integrated intercom system so security personnel could view and speak with visitors before granting entry. The transformation took less than one week, but the planning and engineering that preceded it ensured every camera served a specific security purpose.
Network Architecture: The Invisible Security Layer
Here's where commodity installers and security engineers diverge completely: network architecture and cybersecurity configuration.
Misconfigured cameras connected to both the open internet and internal networks become stepping stones for lateral movement. Once attackers compromise a vulnerable camera, they can pivot to access file servers, databases, and other critical systems. In the infamous "Fishgate" attack, hackers gained access to a casino's network through an IoT-connected thermostat in a fish tank, eventually accessing the database of high-roller customers. If a thermostat can be an entry point, imagine what an internet-connected camera with default credentials can do.
For the office building, we implemented a brand-new secure network with proper segmentation. The camera network operates separately from business systems, with VLANs and access controls preventing lateral movement if a camera were ever compromised. We changed all default credentials, disabled unnecessary services, implemented certificate management, and established a protocol for firmware security updates.
This is the work that happens behind the walls—the engineering that clients don't see but absolutely depends on. It's also the work that "install and forget" companies simply don't do.
The End-to-End Process You Should Expect
Professional security camera installation isn't a transaction—it's a comprehensive security engineering process. Here's what Connextivity's approach looks like, using our office building project as an example:
1. Security Assessment (Not a Sales Pitch)
Before recommending a single camera, we conducted a thorough assessment to understand their actual security objectives, vulnerabilities, and operational requirements. What were the threats specific to their facility? What regulatory or compliance considerations existed? What areas required surveillance, and for what purpose?
This assessment revealed that their existing system had failed at the most fundamental level: it couldn't provide usable footage for identification. That's the difference between a security assessment and a sales call—we focused on their needs, not our products.
2. Security Engineering and Design
Based on the assessment, we engineered a comprehensive solution. This included selecting appropriate camera types for each application—cameras with Lightfinder 2.0 for low-light areas, Forensic WDR for backlit entrances, appropriate resolutions for identification requirements at specific distances.
We planned the network infrastructure, designed integration points for the intercom system, and created documented coverage maps showing exactly what each camera would capture and why. This documentation becomes critical for training, maintenance, and future expansions.
3. Professional Installation
As New York State Department of State licensed Security System Installers, our team performed the physical installation with proper cable routing, weatherproofing for exterior cameras, and secure mounting. We configured the network with proper segmentation, implemented backup power and recording redundancy, and ensured every camera met the design specifications.
The entire installation took less than one week—but that week represented hundreds of hours of engineering and planning that preceded it.
4. Security Commissioning
After installation, we conducted comprehensive system testing and validation. Can security personnel actually identify individuals in the footage? Does the night vision work as specified? Are all integration points functioning? Is remote access secure and functioning properly?
We provided training for their security personnel and delivered as-built documentation—not just user manuals, but comprehensive system documentation that future engineers can reference.
5. Ongoing Support
Unlike installers who disappear after mounting cameras, we provide ongoing firmware update management, security patch monitoring, system health checks, and manufacturer relationship support. When Axis releases a security update, we ensure it's tested and deployed. When questions arise about system operation, we're available with expert support.
This is what separates security engineering firms from "box movers" who simply install and walk away.
The Real Costs of Getting It Wrong
The financial, operational, and reputational costs of inadequate surveillance systems extend far beyond the initial installation savings.
Financial Impact
The average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. Breaches involving stolen credentials—exactly the kind that vulnerable IoT cameras enable—took an average of 328 days to identify and contain. During those 328 days, attackers have free access to your systems, data, and operations.
Consider also the cost of replacement. The office building operated their inadequate system for 10-20 years before finally replacing it. How much did that false sense of security cost them during that period? How many incidents went uninvestigated because footage was unusable? What liability exposure did they carry?
When they finally invested in professional installation, they discovered what real security feels like—and they immediately asked us to expand coverage throughout the building, including areas under building management purview like garage entrances, back building entrances, and even streets outside the building. What started as a replacement project became a comprehensive security upgrade because they finally understood the value of professional engineering.
Operational Impact
Footage that can't identify perpetrators is operationally worthless. Systems that fail during critical incidents are worse than no system at all—they create false confidence. When law enforcement requests footage and you have nothing useful to provide, you've failed at the fundamental purpose of surveillance.
The office building client couldn't even access most of their cameras anymore—years of accumulated failures had rendered the system largely non-functional. They were paying for monitoring equipment that didn't monitor anything.
Cybersecurity Impact
Perhaps most alarming: a botnet comprised of over 200,000 IoT devices, including IP cameras, was operated by a Chinese nation-state threat actor called Flax Typhoon. Active since 2020, this botnet compromised devices through a combination of known and zero-day vulnerabilities. These weren't sophisticated attacks—they exploited default passwords and unpatched firmware that should have been secured during professional installation.
Your security cameras could be part of a botnet right now, being used to launch attacks against other organizations, and you'd never know it.
What to Look For in a Professional Installation Partner
Not all security companies are created equal. Here's how to distinguish security engineering firms from companies that simply mount hardware:
Red Flags:
Lowest bidder mentality with no security credentials to back up their work
No pre-installation assessment or design phase—just a quote based on square footage
Push for specific brands without justification or discussion of your actual requirements
No commissioning process or comprehensive documentation delivery
"Install and forget" approach with no ongoing support or firmware management
Green Flags (What Connextivity Offers):
Industry certifications including Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM)
Manufacturer certifications like Axis Certified Professionals, demonstrating deep technical knowledge
New York State Department of State licensing as Security System Installers
End-to-end security engineering approach covering assessment, design, installation, and commissioning
Understanding of how physical security integrates with information security and personnel security
Post-installation support including firmware management and system lifecycle planning
Documented design process with coverage analysis and as-built drawings
When evaluating commercial security camera installation providers in NYC or anywhere else, ask about their credentials, their process, and their cybersecurity approach. If they can't articulate how they'll segment your camera network or manage firmware updates, they're installers, not security engineers.
Investment vs. Expense: The Real Math of Professional Installation
Professional security camera installation isn't an expense—it's an investment in your organization's safety, compliance, and cybersecurity posture. The difference between a $3,000 DIY system and a $15,000 professionally engineered system might be the $4.88 million data breach you avoid.
Our office building client lived with inadequate security for up to two decades before investing in professional installation. Once they experienced what properly engineered surveillance provides—complete coverage, crystal-clear footage day and night, usable forensic evidence, cybersecure network architecture—they immediately expanded the system beyond the original scope.
That's the true measure of value: when clients see what professional security engineering delivers, they want more of it.
Is Your Current System Actually Protecting You?
Here's your challenge. Answer these questions honestly:
Does your surveillance system have documented coverage analysis showing what each camera captures and at what resolution?
When was the last firmware security update applied to your cameras?
Are your cameras segmented from your primary business network with proper VLAN configuration?
Could your security camera installer explain the CVSS score of known vulnerabilities in your equipment?
Can you identify individuals in your footage at night, or is it just grainy shadows?
If law enforcement requested footage tomorrow, would it be forensically useful?
If you can't confidently answer these questions, you don't have a security system—you have a liability.
Your security cameras should protect your business, not provide hackers with a welcome mat. Professional installation by certified security engineers ensures your surveillance system enhances security rather than undermining it.
Ready to upgrade from surveillance theater to actual security? Contact Connextivity to schedule a no-obligation security assessment with our CPP and CSPM-certified security engineers. We'll evaluate your current system, identify vulnerabilities, and design a comprehensive solution that actually protects your people, property, and data.
Because in 2025, professional security camera installation isn't optional—it's cybersecurity.