With thousands of cyberattacks happening every day, the possibility of your business being a target isn’t a question of if, but when. Many digital signage network operators have learned the importance of high-level security the hard way.
Flawed security designs and processes let unauthorized users — like hackers — into your network, which can lead to significantly damaging attacks. A screen network could be crippled or inadvertently provide “side-door” access into other network systems that contain sensitive information, such as customer and financial records.
Not taking cybersecurity seriously can quickly become a nightmare, so it’s critical to choose a digital signage software solution with reliable built-in security.
Tight security protocols are especially important in sectors such as government, financial services and healthcare, which deal with confidential information. But any organization using network-driven digital signage should ensure their virtual doors and windows are locked to intruders.
Safe information
Endless statistics in recent years point to a steady rise in cyberattacks — from malware and phishing to ransomware attacks that force organizations to pay bribes in order to restore access to blocked data and platforms.
Data breaches come at a high price, costing companies worldwide an estimated average of almost $4 million. Another report, from IBM Security, put the U.S. number at $8.2 million.
Digital signage content management made easy
White Paper
Get your complete guide to configuring and tailoring real-time messaging using an integrated CMS. Download Now
Along with the traceable cost of restoring hacked networks, there are substantial costs that are tougher to measure, but still tangible — such as the damage to a company’s relationships with customers and partners, its reputation, and lost existing and new business. According to RiskIQ research, cyber crimes cost organizations $2.9 million every minute, and major businesses lose $25 per minute as a result of data breaches.
The rise in cyber risks has businesses prioritizing data security and reviewing the plans and measures they already have in place. Governments at all levels, as well as their associated agencies and departments, are also enacting stricter data and privacy protection regulations to further protect consumer data. Healthcare systems and even utility companies have been subject to crippling and costly cyberattacks.
In the EU, companies that ignore the relatively new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) can be fined, facing up to a 4 percent penalty on annual sales.
Major organizations make headlines, but smaller businesses are also at risk — and arguably more exposed. A Fortune 500 company often has the resources and funding to manage an attack, but a hack can wreck a smaller business.
A recent IBM security report found that a cyberattack costs a business with 500 employees or less an average hit of $2.5 million — too high a cost for many smaller businesses to absorb.
Validated protection
In theory, any technology vendor can say it enforces security procedures just by requiring login credentials to access the software. But that’s bare-bones security.
To optimally protect its customers from threats on their digital signage networks, Samsung has developed stringent security measures for its display technology.
MagicINFO 9, the latest iteration of Samsung’s long-running content management system (CMS), was tested by the International Standards Organization (ISO), which offers today’s mostly widely recognized and used security standards. After extensive review by BSI, an independent, globally trusted organization, MagicINFO was ISO27001 and ISO27701 certified — a first for the digital signage industry.
Strict screening
International judges reviewed 114 information security items and 114 personal information security items, as well as 49 additional requirements regarding personal information handling and processing. BSI, which granted the certification, is the most recognized organization in the field of ISO27001 and ISO27701 testing and validation.
The requirements of ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certification ensure MagicINFO meets the highest levels of data protection, providing peace of mind for solution providers and end users alike. MagicINFO’s ISO-validated encryption and authentication tool sets give customers the necessary confidence to process and store personally identifiable information (PII) on their digital signage platform.
One goal of effective cybersecurity is to restrict and carefully manage access to the OS of digital signage media players, locking down the OS so it can only run the services that the playback device needs.
The central content management app also needs to be locked down, moving digital signage content, schedules and commands across the network with the help of encryption, and ensuring unauthorized parties can’t push content to screens.
Apart from software, the other security threats are physical; displays and their supporting hardware are accessible to anyone who can get in through the ports on the media player. As a best practice, your team should physically block access to display panel buttons and ports, as well as other electronics that are part of your digital signage solution.
Peace of mind
In choosing the right digital signage management platform, factors such as user experience and scalability are important, but one of the first things solution providers and end users should check is whether the platform’s secure. ISO’s sign-off ticks that box.
Find the right signage solutions for your needs among Samsung’s versatile range of innovative and secure business displays. And if your organization hasn’t made the leap to digital signage yet, explore how corporate offices are using display technology to produce dynamic, engaging content for workers and clients alike.
