Is Your Digital Signage a Security Risk? Know the Signs

It's no wonder people are drawn to digital signage — it's bright and dynamic, purpose-built to catch attention. Businesses are attracted to it for the same reasons. After all, retailers and shoppers both win when customers are in the loop about the latest BOGO deal. Beyond the storefront, healthcare facilities and educational institutions rely on digital signage to engage patients and students and keep campuses running smoothly. 

But digital signage doesn’t just attract customers — it can also attract the attention of bad actors. If left unprotected, it can serve as an entry point for hackers, leading to unauthorized access, content takeovers, broader network intrusions, and costly downtime. 

Safeguarding the entire ecosystem is essential to keeping signage networks secure, reliable, and connected. A strong mobile device management (MDM) platform can help with automated updates, network segmentation, and real-time threat monitoring. Pairing that with a good content management system (CMS) that focuses on access control and content security is key to staying ahead of security issues.

Security Screening: Common Risks in Digital Signage Deployments

Digital signage is a game-changer for customer engagement, but when it comes to security, many businesses treat it as an afterthought ("It's just a TV, right?") or assume existing IT infrastructure is adequate protection. Unpatched vulnerabilities put these systems at serious risk:

• Outdated Software & Firmware: Devices running outdated firmware are easy targets for exploitation. Without regular updates, vulnerabilities pile up, making it easier for the bad guys to get inside.
• Loose Authentication: Default passwords and poor access controls make signage systems vulnerable to unauthorized access.
• Unsecured Networks: Many signage players connect to corporate networks without proper segmentation, making lateral attacks easier.
• Physical Security Gaps: Unattended players or exposed USB ports allow attackers to tamper with devices or install malicious software.

Closing these gaps is the first line of defense in preventing cyber threats. Our IT Audit Checklist for Dedicated Devices can help you get started. 

How to Secure Your Digital Signage Network

Think of securing digital signage like building a rock-solid foundation for a house: device security forms the base, network security reinforces the walls, and operational security locks the doors and windows. When you get all three right, your signage stays protected, no matter the threats. 

But before breaking ground, you’ll want to ensure your CMS and MDM are in lockstep. Together, they should:

Strengthen device security

• Regularly update firmware and software to prevent vulnerabilities
• Enforce strong authentication, avoiding shared or default passwords
• Encrypt data and communication to protect against interception

Implement network security measures

• Integrate with enterprise security infrastructure
• Segment digital signage players from critical business networks to minimize attack risks
• Deploy firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems for added security
• Monitor network activity for any unusual access attempts

Enhance operational security 

• Physically secure signage players by restricting access and disabling unnecessary ports
• Use automated security policies to prevent unauthorized tampering

Management considerations for digital signage

Advanced MDM software for digital signage device management like Esper enables businesses to monitor and protect all their dynamic displays from a single pane of glass. 

Reduce downtime with remote management tools, automate firmware and OS updates, detect unauthorized access attempts, and lock down devices with real-time monitoring — all in one powerful yet easy-to-use platform.

Content security for digital signage

Modern cloud-based CMS platforms like Fugo ensure content is protected with precise access controls and user permissions. 

An audit trail records all system changes for complete visibility, while secure content delivery networks ensure assets are transmitted safely. Displays and content are both protected from unauthorized interference or modifications. 

Secure Signage is Reliable Signage

Security is more than breach protection. Secure digital signage networks directly impact uptime and operational reliability. Unsecured digital signage can lead to unexpected outages due to malware, unauthorized access, or network issues. 

This can incur lost revenue from disrupted customer engagement, increased maintenance costs from on-site troubleshooting, and damaged brand reputations due to security breaches or content tampering.

A well-secured signage system ensures screens stay operational, content remains protected, and IT teams can manage deployments efficiently.

Dive deeper: Digital Signage Might Be Your Security Blind Spot

Protect what’s yours

The signs are clear: digital signage security is no longer optional for businesses looking to protect their IT infrastructure. Companies that fail to secure their signage networks risk breaches, downtime, and operational disruptions. 

Secure content management systems paired with next-gen device management like Esper and Fugo ensure their signage networks remain protected, reliable, and future-proof. 

→ Learn more about Fugo at  fugo.ai. 

→ Learn more about Esper at esper.io. 

Interested in a joint solution pairing Esper and Fugo? Contact us at partner@esper.io.