Hackers have attacked Verkada video surveillance cameras, gaining access to 150,000 of the IoT (Internet of things) devices and customers' associated video archives. Attack victims include such Verkada customers as a Tesla supplier, Cloudflare, Equinox, various hospital networks, police departments, correctional facilities and schools.
Verkada develops cloud-cloud-based enterprise video security solutions for building security and other use cases. The startup raised $80 million in Series C funding at a $1.6 billion valuation back in January 2020. Series C Verkada investors include Next47, Sequoia Capital, Meritech Capital and Felicis Ventures.
In response to the cyberattck, Verkada has disabled all internal administrator accounts to prevent any unauthorized access. Moreover, Verkada's internal security team and an external security firm are investigating the scale and scope of this potential issue, The Los Angeles Times reports.
After Bloomberg contacted Verkada, the hackers lost access to the video feeds and archives, The Los Angeles Times reports.
Video Surveillance Cyberattack: Hackers Fighting for Privacy?
For MSPs, MSSPs (managed security services providers) and IT consulting firms that specialize in access control and video surveillance, the attack raises fresh questions that extend beyond proper security.
Although the Verkada hack appears to be a crime, the breach has triggered conversation about how video surveillance cameras, facial recognition and AI (artificial intelligence) technologies are deployed and used.
In this case, the hackers allegedly gained access to multiple videos that may raise questions about how businesses, health care and public safety workers monitor and treat people, as well as how they gather, store and use data.
Long before the attack, organizations and governments worldwide have been debating the use of AI-related facial recognization technologies.
Verkada Internet Camera Cyberattack: Key Developments
The Verkada video security camera hack involves the following details, according to the Los Angeles Times:
Verkada Cloud-based Cameras: More Cyberattack Details
More third-party reports include...
Tesla said the hack was restricted to a supplier’s production site in Henan province, China, and its Shanghai car factory and showrooms were not affected. Source: Reuters, March 9, 2021.
Stay tuned for more updates.
