The Benefits of Automated VMS Updates for Integrators

Is the software on your smartphone up to date? More likely than not, the answer is yes. That’s because most of the phones are set up to automatically update OS software and apps as they are released. This ensures that bug fixes, new features and, most importantly, security improvements, are installed efficiently on these devices.

As we all know from current news events and daily business activities, hackers and cyber criminals are relentless in their constant — and in some cases highly organized and sophisticated — attempts to breach networks and access sensitive data. One of the easiest paths of entry for hackers are software vulnerabilities. This is due in large part to the human tendency to ignore, delay or otherwise fail to update their devices’ and systems’ software.

This risk is compounded by two common characteristics among the majority of hackers: their desire to brag about successes and engage to impress peers; and the availability of hacked data online. Thus, when a software vulnerability is discovered, it will likely be shared online; in fact, a simple Google search revels entire sites dedicated to providing lengthy — and continuously updated — lists of known loopholes in various types of software. This information allows for more widespread efforts to locate and exploit these vulnerabilities.

Software providers are well aware of this risk, and are equally relentless in their efforts to close these “open doors” with security patches delivered in regular updates. In the security industry, we rely heavily on software for access control, identity management, video surveillance, communications and every other security and safety function. The question is, are we actually installing these updates to keep the software that drives these critical systems as current — and as secure — as possible?

Unfortunately, the answer is often no, according to a number of cybersecurity firms. For example, a recent study determined that software fixes had been available that could have prevented nearly all of the network software vulnerabilities detected over the last year. Worse still, many of these fixes had been available for up to five years but simply had not been installed. This harsh reality is simply unacceptable given the vital role of security.

Exposing your customers’ security to the risks associated with software that is out of date is also entirely unnecessary. Software implemented for professional security applications should always have scheduled updates built into maintenance and/or service schedules. Automatic software updates eliminate the risks that may occur due to delaying system updates.

Keeping VMS software up to date is vital to physical, and often network security; however, no amount of updates will be effective if they are not installed regularly. To address the challenges associated with maintaining up-to-date solutions, new VMS solutions are available that include the same auto-update capabilities found in smartphones to ensure that users will always be running the most current — and most secure — version. As an added bonus, some solutions offer auto-update in conjunction with other features designed to expedite system updates, deliver more efficient recording and help protect systems from cyber attacks.

Benefits of Automatic Updates

VMS solutions with auto-update features enable integrators to ensure their customers’ software is always current, vulnerabilities are closed and security systems are protected from intrusion. Advanced VMS solutions can reverse the unfortunate trend of users and/or integrators failing to install updates to critical security and other software. As a result of new auto-update capabilities, today’s VMS can be indeed as smart as our phones.

These automated VMS software updates deliver significant benefits for both integrators and end-users in five key ways:  

1. No Human Intervention Needed: Without automatic updating, users and/or integrators must remember to manually check to see if a new VMS software update is available. As evidenced by the research cited earlier, there is a pretty good chance that this is not being done, leaving security systems vulnerable to breaches that exploit software vulnerabilities. Automatic updating eliminates the need and time for human action to update software, ensuring end-users always have the most up-to-date VMS solution.

2. Increased Security: Software providers are constantly testing their solutions for bug fixes in order to develop patches, which are delivered as new software versions via updates. Often, these updates address potential vulnerabilities that have yet to be exploited, essentially closing the door to hackers before they can even attempt to enter

3. Fewer Truck Rolls: In many cases, updating end-users’ software requires integrators to travel to the customer’s site. While this is an important service to provide, it can also become costly; after all, the time a technician spends on site could be better spent on tasks like installing additional cameras and storage. This challenge can be further compounded when performing a software update is the sole reason for rolling a truck to multiple sites. Using a VMS with auto-updating eliminates the need to manually update each recording server used by the VMS, saving time and helping assure the profitability of maintenance contracts.

4. RMR: Auto-updating capabilities enable integrators to offer software updating as a value-added service with traditional maintenance contracts. Rather than taking technicians away from installations and eroding the profitability of a contract, VMS software updates are performed automatically, making maintenance agreements more profitable while delivering the potential for additional recurring monthly revenue (RMR).

5. Peace of Mind: The potential dangers of failure to update software are very real and expose organizations to a tremendous amount of risk. Auto-updating removes this concern and provides both integrators and end users with peace of mind that their VMS software is up to date and as secure as possible.

Ken LaMarca is VP of Sales and Marketing for OnSSI. To request more info on the company, please visit www.securityinfowatch.com/10215706.