Keeping Digital Signage Networks Safe From Hackers

There isplenty of reason to be jumpy when a digital signage system is up and running. If video walls get hacked for just one second, it could result in a Public Relations nightmare.

Besides, dozens of eyes will be exposed to your digitalsignage at any given moment, so you don’t want it to ever get compromised. How do you make sure that your system is secure? Let’s find out.

Digital Safeguards

The act of programming involves communication; hackers override the conversation to control the messages being sent back and forth. To counter this problem, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). It will encode your data in transit and mask any of your online actions.

Polish up your passwords every so often, employ ethical hacking procedures to detect any weakness, and make sure your operating system allows nothing but the applications it needs to run. It helps to get a software firewall for your media players.

A Network Access Translation firewall will only allow for outbound connections. Remote hackers find it harder to intercept outbound connections so a NAT firewall is a really good idea. Not only that, but your players have to regularly report on how they’re doing.

Regular Updates

Hacking techniques are being endlessly improved, so it’s important that you keep updating your devices as well. It would do you well if you had an automated system to keep yourdevices get updated regularly. It’s also ideal to have your system protected by zero-trust networking which functions like a sort of digital vaccine that’ll keep your system on its toes by causing it to think that it’s always at risk.

Hackers will constantly try to find new weaknesses, so it’s important for improvements to be made on a regular basis. Now, while an update can do you good, it might also open you up to attack. Fortify your updates by getting a unique cryptographic signature that’ll stop hackers from introducing their own malicious updates.

Moreover, the applications you make use of should all have SSL certificates, server-client information is protected in this way and all information is encrypted. You don’t want hackers putting up their own videos on your screen, so get software that uses client-pull technology as well. This will guarantee that all requests are made by you, and are responded to by the server, as it should be. You also want to work with a company that performs regular audits and tests so that you can regularly employ best practices like these.

Physical Defense

Most screens are out there in the streets, which means any passerby can tamper with them- and not just on a vandalism level. What happens when someone pulls out your media player and connects their own device? You need to lock up your players somewhere they aren’t visible, somewhere nobody can break into.

Not only does hacking happen remotely, if your hardware is vulnerable it can lead to an attack on your entire system. Your wiring should be secure and ports mustn’t be exposed, otherwise, it won’t be too hard to gain access to your system. 

How you get your screens to stay in place also matters. If you’re just going to use normal bolts and screws in obvious places, anybody can just show up with a screwdriver and do the unthinkable. Your screens must be fastened in a way that makes it impossible for a hacker to remove. If you are going to use the normal screws and bolts, then they shouldn’t be easy to get to.

Digital Signage Done the Right Way

Digital signage is a great way to market a brand, product, or service. It is also a quick and easy way of conveying information to the people walking by. Securing your signage will protect you from hackers that want to tarnish your brand image.

If it has the power to draw people to your business, then it can also push customers and potential customers away. It can take forever to restore your brand image once hacked, and it’s better to prevent an attack than to recover from one. Follow the advice above and keep finding ways to fortify your system so you can stay several steps ahead of the hackers at all times.