A Video Management System (VMS) is supposed to make security easier. It pulls camera feeds into one place, helps teams review footage quickly, and keeps a record when something goes wrong. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: the VMS itself can become a target. And once attackers get into a VMS, they’re not just “messing with video.” They can disrupt operations, steal sensitive footage, and sometimes pivot into the wider network.
The good news is you don’t need to be paranoid to be prepared. VMS security is mostly about doing the basics properly, consistently, and without shortcuts. The bad news is that most breaches happen because someone took shortcuts. A default password here, an open port there, a forgotten update, and suddenly the system that was meant to protect you becomes the weak link.
1. Start With the Boring Stuff: Account Access and Passwords
It sounds obvious, but it’s still the top failure point. If your VMS has shared logins (“security/security123”), you’re basically inviting trouble.
Do this instead:
- Give every user a unique login.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication if the platform supports it.
- Create role-based permissions. Not everyone needs admin rights.
- Set strong password policies and rotate admin credentials regularly.
Also, remove old users. People leave jobs. Vendors stop supporting projects. If those accounts stay active, attackers love it.
2. Keep Your VMS on a Segmented Network
A VMS should not sit on the same flat network as everyday office devices. If someone’s laptop gets compromised, you don’t want that to be a direct path to your cameras and recording servers.
Basic network hygiene helps a lot:
- Put cameras and VMS servers on a separate VLAN.
- Restrict traffic between VLANs with firewall rules.
- Only allow necessary ports, and lock down everything else.
- Disable UPnP and avoid plug-and-play exposure.
Segmentation is like building fire doors inside a building. Even if something catches fire, it doesn’t spread instantly everywhere.
3. Patch Like You Mean It (Not “When We Get Time”)
VMS platforms, camera firmware, switches, Windows/Linux servers, everything needs updates. Cyber attackers often don’t “hack” in the dramatic movie way. They exploit known vulnerabilities that have been sitting unpatched for months.
A practical patch routine looks like this:
- Keep an inventory of VMS components (server OS, VMS version, camera models, firmware versions).
- Subscribe to vendor security advisories.
- Patch on a schedule (monthly is a common baseline).
- Test updates in a safe environment when possible, especially for critical sites.
Yes, updates can be annoying. But downtime from ransomware is worse. Way worse.
4. Secure Remote Access (Because That’s Where Attacks Usually Come From)
Remote viewing is useful, and sometimes it’s essential. But opening your VMS to the internet without proper controls is one of the fastest ways to get burned.
Better options:
- Use VPN access rather than exposing the VMS directly.
- Apply IP allowlisting for known locations if possible.
- Use HTTPS with valid certificates (not “self-signed and ignored” forever).
- Monitor login attempts and set lockouts for repeated failures.
If you’re using cloud vms solutions, confirm what security layers are included by default (encryption, MFA, audit logs, region/hosting controls) and which ones you still need to configure. Cloud can be secure, but only if the setup is done thoughtfully.
5. Encrypt Data in Transit and at Rest
Video footage can contain sensitive information: people’s faces, vehicle numbers, facility layouts, work patterns. Treat it like valuable data, not just “camera recordings.”
At minimum:
- Encrypt video streams where supported.
- Use secure protocols for management traffic.
- Encrypt recordings on storage (especially if footage is stored off-site or in shared infrastructure).
- Control who can export footage and watermark exports if your system supports it.
6. Lock Down Cameras and Endpoints Too
A VMS can be secure, but if cameras are easy to compromise, attackers may still gain a foothold.
Checklist for cameras:
- Change default passwords on every device.
- Update firmware.
- Disable unused services
- Turn off anonymous viewing and discovery features.
- Use reputable hardware vendors and avoid grey-market firmware.
If you’re selecting the best vms software for cctv, choose platforms that also make device hardening easier. A VMS that helps you manage credentials, firmware visibility, and device health is not just “convenient,” it’s safer.
7. Monitor Logs and Set Alerts for Suspicious Behaviour
If nobody is watching the warning signs, you’ll only notice something’s wrong when cameras go offline or footage disappears.
Set up monitoring for:
- Failed login spikes
- New user creation
- Permission changes
- Unexpected camera disconnects
- Storage failures and unusual bandwidth usage
Many vms software solutions include audit trails and reporting. Use them, not for compliance theatre, but for actual security.
How We Help Teams Strengthen Vms Security at Intellve
At Intellve, we approach VMS security as an ongoing process, not a one-time checklist. The goal is simple: keep video reliable, keep access controlled, and reduce the number of ways a bad actor can get in. When teams work with us, we focus on building a practical security posture around enterprise video management software solutions by tightening the system end-to-end:
- Hardening user access with roles, MFA-ready workflows, and audit-friendly controls
- Designing secure network architecture (segmentation, firewall rules, safe remote access)
- Improving update discipline with clear version visibility and upgrade planning
- Adding monitoring signals so suspicious behaviour is spotted early, not after damage
If you want a VMS setup that’s secure and still easy for real security teams to run every day, we’re here to help.