Think your business isn’t large enough to be targeted by cybercriminals? You may want to think again. According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, more than 70% of cyberattacks are targeted at small businesses, and small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted by cyber criminals than larger companies. Nearly half of all small businesses have experienced some form of cyberattack.
What would it look like if your network went down? Which critical systems would be impacted? If you’re running your security system through your network, you could very well lose access to your alarms, security cameras, access control, and more.
And network outages aren’t always due to cyberattacks; severe weather, natural disasters, equipment failures, human error, power outages and other unforeseen circumstances can all take your network offline.
The Hidden Vulnerability in Your Security System: Your Network
The same cellular service that gives you access to the internet when you’re away from Wi-Fi is the same service that can keep your network up and running, even if your local network has been compromised.
Recently, a customer experienced a cyberattack that took down multiple systems on their network. One of which was their HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system.
Being from the Midwest, we’re no strangers to extreme temperatures. In the summer, temperatures can reach 100 degrees or more, while winter can bring wind chills of 40 below and colder. Unfortunately for this customer, the attack happened in the middle of a particularly hot summer. Losing access to their HVAC controls meant the air conditioning was no longer running, ventilation wasn’t working, and temperatures in the building were starting to rise.
Beyond just employee comfort, HVAC systems play a critical role in maintaining comfortable indoor environments, and when these systems are compromised, it can lead to operational disruptions and equipment damage.
Thankfully, we had recently switched their access control system and security cameras to run over a cellular network, which means even though they were dealing with a data breach and all the cleanup required there, critical safety features like employee badges, security cameras, alarms, and access control to secure areas were all still operational.
5 Reasons to make the switch
If the above example hasn’t already convinced you, here are five more reasons to consider switching to cellular security systems.
1. More Reliable Connectivity
· Cellular systems don’t rely on your local internet or Wi-Fi, so they stay online even during outages or network failures.
· Great for avoiding downtime caused by ISP issues, power loss, or router resets.
2. Enhanced Security
· Cellular signals are harder to intercept or hack than standard IP-based systems, which are often targeted via local networks.
· No open ports mean fewer cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
3. Faster Response Time
· Alarms and alerts are sent instantly over LTE, even if the local internet is slow, spotty, or under maintenance.
· Reduces false alarms caused by network lag.
4. Ideal for Multi-Site or Remote Locations
· Perfect for construction sites, vacant properties, or remote facilities where there’s no internet infrastructure.
· No need for IT setup at each location, simplifying deployment and management.
5. Easier Maintenance and Less IT Involvement
· No dealing with firewalls, router settings, or IP conflicts.
· Systems are plug-and-play and stay isolated from your main business network.
If you’re still unsure whether cellular security systems are right for you, give us a call and let one of our security experts review your systems. We’ll work with you to create the best security system and management plan for your needs.
Wellington Security Systems is a trusted commercial security systems partner serving customers in and around the Twin Cities metro for over 40 years, specializing in burglary systems, access control, surveillance cameras, and fire alarms. For more information or a free security audit for your business, contact us today.