Can Security Cameras Be Hacked? Cyber Risk for Small Businesses

Yes. A security camera system is a set of networked computers: cameras, a recorder, switches, a router and often a phone app. Like any networked device, it can be attacked if it is poorly set up. The good news is that most attacks on small businesses succeed because of simple mistakes: default passwords, a recorder exposed to the internet, old firmware, shared logins and a flat network where everything can see everything else. Fixing those problems is usually inexpensive and does not require an IT department. This guide explains the common risks and a practical checklist for owners.

This is general information, not security consulting or legal advice. If you suspect a breach, contact your installer or IT provider, and consider talking to an attorney.

1. The Short Version

Risk	Simple fix
Default usernames and passwords	Change them on every device.
Recorder exposed to the internet	Remove open ports and use secure remote access.
Old firmware	Update on a schedule.
Shared admin login	Use named accounts and limit rights.
Flat network	Put cameras on their own network segment.
No two-factor authentication	Turn it on for apps and accounts.
Unknown vendor access	List who has access and remove what is not needed.

2. Why Cameras Are Targets

Cameras are always on, always connected and often forgotten. Attackers may want live video, the footage archive, a foothold in your network or simply a device to use in a larger attack. A hacked camera can expose your layout, routines and staff. A compromised recorder can reveal what is stored and when the shop is empty. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency publishes practical guidance on securing devices and networks at cisa.gov.

3. The Most Common Mistakes

Default passwords. Many devices ship with a well-known username and password. If it is never changed, anyone who finds the device can log in.

Open ports to the internet. Some installers forward ports so owners can view cameras from a phone. If not done securely, this exposes the recorder to anyone scanning the internet.

Old firmware. Manufacturers publish fixes for security flaws. Devices that never update remain vulnerable.

One shared login. When everyone uses the same account, you cannot tell who did what or remove one person's access.

Everything on one network. A camera that sits on the same network as the point-of-sale and office computers can become a stepping stone.

Cheap, unsupported devices. Equipment from vendors that stop providing updates ages quickly.

Unmonitored vendor access. Contractors who keep permanent remote access can be a risk if their own accounts are compromised.

Weak phone accounts. An app login that uses a reused password can expose all your cameras.

4. A Practical Hardening Checklist

Inventory your devices. List every camera, recorder and switch with model and firmware version.
Change default credentials on every device, and use unique, long passwords.
Create named user accounts with only the rights each person needs.
Turn on two-factor authentication for cloud and app accounts.
Update firmware on a schedule, and note dates.
Close unnecessary ports. Do not forward ports from the internet unless an expert configures and monitors them.
Use secure remote access recommended by the manufacturer or installer.
Segment the network. Put cameras and the recorder on their own network or VLAN, separate from point-of-sale and office systems.
Disable unused features such as unused remote services, UPnP and legacy protocols.
Physically secure the recorder in a locked space.
Back up the configuration and keep a copy offline.
Review access quarterly. Remove former employees and vendors.
Replace unsupported equipment over time.

5. Choosing Equipment With Security in Mind

Ask installers how they handle updates and support. Prefer equipment from manufacturers that publish security updates and have a clear support policy. Origin can also matter for some customers. The Federal Communications Commission maintains a Covered List of communications equipment and services considered national security risks, which matters if you work with government contracts. See our guide on NDAA-compliant cameras. For everyone, the bigger factor is how the system is configured and maintained.

6. Cloud, Local or Both

Cloud services shift some security duties to the provider but make your account the key to your video. Local recorders keep video on your premises but put the burden of patching and network security on you. Hybrid systems combine both. Whichever you choose, use strong authentication, read the terms, and know where data is stored. See our guide on cloud vs local storage.

7. Wi-Fi Cameras and Small Offices

Wireless cameras depend on your Wi-Fi security. Use a strong passphrase, WPA3 or WPA2, separate guest and camera networks and update router firmware. Do not reuse the office Wi-Fi password for cameras. Wired PoE cameras avoid some Wi-Fi issues and are generally more reliable for businesses.

8. Privacy Consequences of a Breach

A breach can expose footage of employees, customers and your premises. Business owners also have obligations regarding data. New York's SHIELD Act, General Business Law section 899-bb, requires businesses that own or license computerized data including private information of New York residents to maintain reasonable safeguards, with a scaled standard for small businesses. See nysenate.gov. Video alone is not always private information under that statute, but related records may be. Ask counsel how it applies to you. For New Jersey businesses, the state's Division of Consumer Affairs publishes information at njconsumeraffairs.gov.

9. If You Think You Were Hacked

Change passwords on the recorder, cameras and accounts.
Disconnect affected devices from the internet if you can.
Preserve logs and note times and unusual activity.
Call your installer or IT provider.
Update firmware and review settings.
Check what was exposed: live video, archives, accounts, other systems.
Ask counsel about notice obligations.
Report crimes to police.
Fix the root cause so it does not recur.

The Federal Trade Commission offers small-business data security guidance at ftc.gov.

10. News Context

Physical crime is the usual reason owners buy cameras. In September 2026, NYPD sought two suspects in 19 commercial burglaries across 16 Brooklyn neighborhoods, according to News 12. In August 2026, ABC7 New York reported that several Bay Ridge restaurants were broken into overnight, with cameras capturing a hooded figure. Cameras that record those events must also be secure. A system that thieves can switch off or watch remotely defeats its purpose.

NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).

11. Costs

Security improvements are modest compared with the damage from a breach. Planning ranges in 2026:

Service	Typical range
Security review of an existing camera system	$200 to $900
Password reset, firmware update and account cleanup	$150 to $600
Managed switch and network segmentation	$300 to $1,200
New recorder with updated security features	$800 to $3,500
Annual maintenance and update plan	$150 to $600

These are planning ranges, not quotes.

12. Questions to Ask Your Installer

Will you change all default passwords and give me a record?
How is remote access secured?
Can you put the cameras on a separate network?
How are firmware updates delivered and who handles them?
Who at your company can access my system, and can access be removed?
What is your policy if a security flaw is announced for my model?

See our local pages for commercial camera installation in Brooklyn, Jersey City, business installation in Queens and our services page.

Not sure how exposed your system is? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.

13. A Sample Fix for a Small Shop

A Queens shop has six cameras and a recorder installed years ago. The recorder still uses the default password, port forwarding is enabled for phone viewing, firmware is three years old and every employee uses the same login. A technician changes the passwords, disables port forwarding, sets up the manufacturer's secure remote access, updates firmware, creates named accounts for the owner and two managers, and moves the cameras onto a separate switch from the point-of-sale computers. Estimated cost: $450 to $1,300. The cameras are the same, but the exposure is dramatically smaller.

14. Build a Maintenance Habit

Security is not a one-time project. Put a quarterly reminder on the calendar to check for firmware updates, review the user list, test a footage export and confirm the clock. Replace devices when the manufacturer stops supporting them. Keep a one-page record of passwords in a secure password manager, not on a sticky note beside the recorder. These small habits are more effective than any single product.

More From Revolvis

Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:

Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.

Areas We Serve

Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.

Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.

The full list is on the service areas page.

Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit

Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:

The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.

Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can security cameras be hacked? Yes. They are networked devices. Most compromises come from weak passwords, exposed recorders and old firmware.

How do I stop my cameras from being hacked? Change default passwords, update firmware, use two-factor authentication, segment the network and avoid open ports.

Is cloud safer than local? Neither is automatically safer. Configuration, authentication and updates matter most.

Should my recorder be on the internet? Not without expert configuration. Use secure remote access.

What if I think I was hacked? Change passwords, disconnect devices, preserve logs, call your installer and ask counsel about obligations.

Do I need an IT department? Not necessarily. A professional installer can handle the basics.

Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.

Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.