SSI Article Advises Companies Be Proactive, Not Reactive, with Cybersecurity

August 17, 2018

SSI Lauds Hikvision as Among the Most Proactive Manufacturers in Cybersecurity Realm, Initiatives Help Reduce Security Concerns

SSI Lauds Hikvision as Among the Most Proactive Manufacturers in Cybersecurity Realm, Initiatives Help Reduce Security Concerns

 

In the Security Sales & Integration (SSI) article “Why Your Approach to Cybersecurity Needs to Be Proactive Rather Than Reactive,” the author advises organizations to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity by monitoring systems for potential vulnerabilities as a way to minimize security concerns and possible breaches.

Why Being Proactive is Beneficial
In the article, the author states: “You don’t have to look very far to find examples of organizations suffering cyberattacks due to a flawed reactive approach to their security. Only last year, the WannaCry ransomware attack caused enormous problems for the NHS [the U.K.'s National Health Service] and a number of organizations across the world — an estimated 230,000 computers were affected. And the problem here was that in many cases, organizations had failed to be proactive in keeping vital systems patched to address a known vulnerability.”

In addition to addressing vulnerabilities before there is a security breach, cyber criminals are constantly updating their tactics making security breaches more difficult to discover. According to the article, companies often don’t know there has been a breach, and it takes organizations 191 days on average to realize when they’ve been hacked.

From the article: “You need to assume that your business will be breached at some point and have appropriate monitoring controls and procedures in place to mitigate the risks.” Being proactive can help organizations detect vulnerabilities sooner and take positive action to resolve them.

To reduce risk of security breach, the author recommends monitoring networks and endpoints, performing a security assessment such as vulnerability scans or penetration testing, and providing regular cybersecurity training for employees.

Hikvision has been proactive about a number of cybersecurity programs in the last year, in an effort to support partners and minimize security concerns from potential vulnerabilities and other cyber threats.

Hikvision Lauded as Among the Most Proactive in Cybersecurity Realm
In the April 2018 article “It’s Time for Manufacturers to Step Up Their Cybersecurity Game,” SSI credited Hikvision North America with being one of the “industry’s most proactive [manufacturers] in this realm.” The piece referenced a number of headlines generated by Hikvision over the past year, which reference numerous cybersecurity initiatives. These include the following stories:

Hikvision’s director of cybersecurity, Chuck Davis, was also appointed to the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) Cybersecurity Advisory Board earlier this year.

In that announcement Jeffrey He, president of Hikvision USA Inc. and Hikvision Canada Inc., said: “Hikvision North America's ongoing commitment to cybersecurity is reflected through a broad range of initiatives designed to keep property and assets safe, including growing our dedicated cybersecurity team, creating the industry’s first Source Code Transparency Center, and launching a cybersecurity hotline for our partners. We believe collaborative efforts such as the SIA board are vital, and we applaud SIA's leadership on cybersecurity."

Hikvision’s U.S. cybersecurity road show will be touring additional cities this fall, including Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver, Miami, Seattle, Portland and Chicago. The event, “Cybersecurity Myths and Facts: Presented by Hikvision,” is a 90-minute, interactive educational session led Davis where he provides an overview of cybersecurity, cyber threats and vulnerabilities, and ways to mitigate those threats.

Visit Hikvision’s events page for more information about upcoming cybersecurity road shows in your area.

IMPORTANT! This model requires non-standard firmware. Do Not Install standard firmware (e.g. v.4.1.xx) on this model. Doing so will permanently damage your system. You must use custom firmware v.4.1.25 from the iDS-9632NXI-I8/16S product page.

View the most updated version of this document here:

https://techsupportca.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/17000113531-i-series-nvr-firmware-upgrade-instructions

 

The I-series NVR (such as the DS-7716NI-I4) is one of Hikvision's most popular and feature-rich recorders. As such, many firmware revisions have been introduced over the years to continually ensure the product is compatible with the newest technology available. Due to the many revisions, we recommend that the user closely follows the instructions below in order to reduce the amount of time spent as well as the chance of failure.

 

Database Optimization and Repair

As more affordable IP cameras are introduced over time with greater video resolution and data sizes, more efficient database management also becomes necessary. The introduction of firmware v4.0 brought about a new database architecture in order to be futureproof.

 

After upgrading to v4.X, the recorder database will need to be converted and optimized. If you are experiencing issues where playback is expected but not found, make sure "Database Repair" is performed as indicated in the procedures and scenarios below.

 

Preparing the Upgrade

Before proceeding with upgrade, it is recommended that NVR configuration file is exported from the NVR over the network or on to a local USB drive.

 

Upgrading from v3.4.92 build 170518 or Older

  1. All recorders must reach v3.4.92 before proceeding further. Upgrading from versions before v3.4.92 directly to any version of v4.X will likely cause the recorder to fail.
  2. If the recorder is already at v3.4.92, a full factory default is highly recommended before upgrading to any version of v4.X. There is a high chance of unit failure (requiring RMA) if the unit is not defaulted before upgrade.
  3. After reaching v3.4.92 and performing a full factory default, an upgrade directly to v4.50.00 is acceptable.
  4. After the upgrade is completed and the recorder is reprogrammed, it may be beneficial to perform a Database Repair. For details, refer to the section "Database Optimization and Repair" above.
  5. To verify repair progress, you may refer to the HDD status, or search the recorder log for repair started and stopped entries. Note that while the HDD is repairing, new recordings are still being made, but some existing recordings may not be searchable until repair is complete.
  6. If you continue to observe playback issues after database repair, ensure there are no power, network, or motion detection issues. Should the problem persist, contact technical support.

 

Upgrading from Any v4.X Build to v4.50.00.

  1. Any v4.X build can be upgraded directly to v4.50.00.
  2. Export configuration is highly recommended before performing the upgrade.
  3. If upgrading from any v4.X version that was not v4.22.005, a Database Repair is recommended. Refer to Step 4 and onwards in the previous section.

 

Downgrading

Downgrading is not recommended. Due to new features and parameters constantly being added, downgrading may cause the NVR to factory default itself or require a manual default to operate properly.

View the most updated version of this document here:
K-Series DVR upgrade instruction
The Turbo 4 Hybrid DVR K series has multiple models and across different platform and chipset. It also has similar firmware development of other recording product line; DVR K series has also introduced the GUI4.0 to ensure the series to be compatible to the newest technology available. The new database architecture is also brought into the DVR firmware v4.0 to be future proof and for better recording search experience. 
 


Database Optimization and Repair

As more affordable cameras introduced over time with greater video resolution and data sizes, more efficient database management also becomes necessary. The introduction of firmware v4.0 brought about a new database architecture in order to be futureproof.
After upgrading to v4.X, the recorder database will need to be converted and optimize. If you are experiencing issues, where playback is expected but not found, please make sure to perform "Database Rebuild" as indicated in the procedures and scenarios below.
 


Preparing the Upgrade

Before proceeding with upgrade, it is recommend exporting DVR configuration file from the DVR over the network or on to a local USB drive.

 

Action after firmware upgraded 

1. Upgrade the DVR according to the chart above. 

2. Reconfirming Channel's Recording Schedule 

    - Confirm channel's recording schedule is enable. 

    - Check if the channel is on correct recording schedule.

3. Double Check Storage Setting

    - Make sure all channel are assigned to record on its HDD group when the Storage setting is under Group Mode. 

4. Perform Database Rebuild locally. 

    • Some version above support Database Rebuild via web access - K51 and K72

    • Perform Database Rebuild regardless if system is having any database issue symptom. 

    • Database Rebuild process is average ~30 to 60min per TB. The process may still varies depends recording data.

    • After Database Rebuild - Check log to confirm Database Rebuild has went thru properly. 

    • If Database Rebuild Started and Stopped log has been log only within few minutes. Database rebuild may not has been completed properly. It is strongly recommend performing the Database Rebuild again.

    • To check log > System > Log > Information > Database Rebuild Started and Stopped.

    • If the log option is not available - access system via SSH can also obtain similar result.

5. Recording Data is still missing after database rebuild process. 

If the data has not been recorded or has been overwritten, Database rebuild process is not able retrieve those lost data. Have the system upgraded to the latest available firmware version above to prevent any future data lost is strongly recommended for all application.

 

 

 

 

In light of the global semiconductor shortage, Hikvision has made some hardware changes to the DS-76xxNI-Q1(2)/P NVRs, also known as “Q series.”

 

These changes do not have any effect on the performance, specifications, or the user interface of the NVRs. For the ease of reference, these modified units are known as “C-Version” units. This is clearly indicated on the NVR label and on the box by the serial number.

 

The only difference between the “C-Version” and “non-C-Version” is the firmware. The firmware is not interchangeable:

 

  • The C-Version NVRs must use firmware version v4.31.102 or higher.
  • The non-C-Version (Q series) NVRs must use firmware version v4.30.085 or older.

 

Please do not be alarmed if a “Firmware Mismatch” message pops up on the screen during the firmware upgrade. This simply means that the firmware does not match the NVR’s hardware. Simply download the correct firmware and the upgrade will go through without any issue.

In light of the global semiconductor shortage, Hikvision has made some hardware changes to the Value Express Series NVRs

These changes do not have any effect on the performance and specification of the recorders. For ease of reference, these modified units are known as “C-Version” units. This is clearly indicated on the NVR label and on the box by the serial number.

The only difference between the “C-Version” and “non-C-Version” is the firmware. The firmware is not interchangeable:

  • The C-Version NVRs must use firmware version v4.30.216 or higher.
  • The non-C-Version (Q series) NVRs must use firmware version v3.4.104 or older.

Please do not be alarmed if a “Firmware Mismatch” message pops up on the screen during the firmware upgrade. This simply means that the firmware does not match the NVR’s hardware. Simply download the correct firmware and the upgrade will go through without any issue.

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