In 2020, a Mississippi family faced a nightmare. Their 8-year-old daughter heard a stranger’s voice coming from her bedroom Ring camera. The hacker taunted her and played music until the parents unplugged the device. Later, it was revealed the attacker had gotten in because the family reused a breached password.
Scary? Yes. Rare? Unfortunately, no.
Smart cameras—and smart devices in general—are everywhere now. They’re affordable, easy to set up, and give business owners peace of mind. We see them in South Florida law firms, nonprofits, medical offices, and even warehouses. They’re used to:
- Keep an eye on the front door
- Monitor inventory rooms
- Check in after hours
But here’s the catch: these same devices can also create serious risks if they aren’t set up securely.
Not All Cameras Are Created Equal
Cheap cameras often cut corners: no encryption, no regular updates, no safeguards. Even big-name brands become dangerous if users leave default settings in place.
Attackers look for the easy wins:
- Default usernames and passwords
- Outdated firmware
- Unsecured WiFi connections
Once in, hackers can watch your video feeds—or worse—use the camera as a back door into your business network. That’s how a simple camera can turn into a risk for client files, financial data, and other sensitive information.
What To Look For Before You Plug In
If you’re reviewing or buying cameras for your business, here’s what matters:
- Reputable brands that provide regular security updates
- Encryption of video footage before it’s sent to the cloud
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) for logins
- Local storage options in addition to cloud backups
Pro tip: don’t just buy for features—buy for support and security.
Setup Matters As Much As the Device
Even the best device can be a liability if you skip setup steps. Every time we onboard a client’s cameras or smart devices, we run through a checklist:
- Change default usernames and passwords immediately
- Keep firmware and apps updated (auto-updates = best choice)
- Segment networks so cameras aren’t sitting on the same WiFi as business systems
- Harden the router with enterprise-grade security settings
That way, even if one camera is compromised, it won’t unlock the whole network.
Don’t Forget: It’s Not Just Cameras
Doorbells, thermostats, voice assistants—all of these “smart” devices connect to your business network. If they’re not secured, they’re just more open doors for hackers.
For a law firm, that could mean leaked client files.
For a medical office, HIPAA exposure.
For a financial company, a compliance nightmare.
The more smart devices you add, the higher your responsibility to secure them.
The Capstone Way
Smart devices can absolutely make your workplace safer. But only if they’re configured with security in mind. That’s why our team at Capstone IT in Palm Beach Gardens helps businesses across the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches:
- Vet and configure cameras and IoT devices
- Segment networks for better protection
- Enforce MFA and strong password practices
- Monitor devices for vulnerabilities with 24/7 tools
We make sure the “easy wins” go to you, not the hackers.
Ready To Lock Down Your Smart Devices?
Don’t leave it to chance. A few proactive steps now can prevent your “smart” gadgets from becoming a hacker’s playground.
Schedule a free discovery call today. We’ll review your setup, highlight the gaps, and give you peace of mind before someone else finds the weak spot.