IP security to play a key role in digital forensics, according to TechSec keynote

SARASOTA, Fla. - With the industry in the midst of a digital revolution and the proliferation of more and more IP-ready security technologies, experts in the security market say the time is now to ensure networked security systems are secure and the necessary measures are in place for digital video evidence to hold up in court. Alan Brill, senior managing director, technology services for Kroll Ontrack, delivered that message while keynoting at TechSec Solutions, a conference held here Feb. 27 to March 1 that centered around IP-ready security technologies. The event drew nearly 200 attendees that included systems integrators, end users, consultants and security product manufacturers. The conference featured seminars, such as The Future of Open Architecture, Co-existance on the IP Infrasture, Communication: Getting your Security System on the Network and Video Analytics, for example. Twenty-three product manufacturers also participated in an exhibit hall dedicated to IP-ready security products and service providers. Brill served as one of four keynoters at the conference. He shared the stage with colleague Troy Smith, information risk and security practice for Marsh USA. William Crowell, former deputy director of the National Security Agency, spoke during the opening keynote of the conference, while Fredrik Nilsson, general manager of Axis Communications, a company that has manufactured IP-based surveillance cameras since the 1990s, served as the final speaker of the event. In his presentation, Brill talked about digital forensics and the role the security market will play thanks to digital and IP-based security technology as more and more banks, retailers and corporations rely on this type of security. But with this comes the responsibility to ensure that images collected digitally stay true to their form. “What we’re looking at here is bleeding edge. This is something that has not yet become an issue,” said Brill. “But it’s safe to predict that looking at the integrity of these systems is probably going to happen sooner, rather than later.” Brill introduced the need for watermarkings, digital signatures, and secure archives for digital surveillance. He said it’s not just up to the security product manufacturer to ensure the integrity of digital video surveillance information and that these measures are in place, but the systems integrator, as well. Still, Brill said its unclear how many product vendors and security systems integrators are aware of this need. “There are some vendors who have been much more sensitive to this than others,” said Brill. “Some vendors may have done it because there counsel attended a conference on this.” Nonetheless, Brill challenged the audience at TechSec Solutions, and the security industry, to become educated on network security issues, computer forensics and the role this industry will play not just in the security market, but the judicial system, as well. “This is the kind of thing that if we can get people to think about now, we can avoid all sort of problems,” said Brill.