Guide

How to Secure Meeting Room Devices: IT Checklist

Updated

To secure meeting room devices, change every default password, put the devices on a separate network segment (VLAN) with only the access they need, keep firmware and platform software updated, manage them from a central portal, and lock down the room accounts they sign in with. Treat video bars, controllers and room PCs like any other networked computer, because they are.

How to Secure Meeting Room Devices: IT Checklist
Secure meeting room devices: change default passwords, put them on their own VLAN, update firmware, lock down management access and room accounts.

Security checklist

Area What to do
Passwords Change default admin passwords on every bar, camera, controller and panel
Network Put AV devices on their own VLAN; allow only required outbound traffic
Network access Use 802.1X where your network supports it
Firmware Keep firmware and meeting apps current; schedule updates
Management Use one cloud portal per brand; restrict who can log in
Accounts Secure room resource accounts and follow platform guidance on MFA and conditional access
Services Disable unused services such as SSH, Telnet, web admin or SNMP if not needed
Physical Lock room PCs, use cable locks, and cover unused ports
Privacy Use cameras with privacy shutters in sensitive rooms
Lifecycle Factory reset and remove devices from portals before disposal

Step-by-step

  1. Inventory devices. List every device, model, serial number, IP and firmware version.
  2. Change defaults. Replace default admin passwords with strong, unique ones stored in your password manager. See Yealink MeetingBar default password and AVer camera default IP and password.
  3. Segment the network. Create an AV VLAN and firewall rules that allow the platform's required endpoints and block lateral access to the rest of the network. See VLAN for AV devices and the platform's network docs, such as Teams Rooms network requirements.
  4. Enable 802.1X if supported by both the device and your network. See 802.1X for room devices.
  5. Centralize management. Enroll devices in Logitech Sync, Poly Lens, Yealink YMCS, Jabra Plus, Neat Pulse or the platform's admin center. See firmware management for room devices.
  6. Harden room accounts. Use dedicated resource accounts, strong passwords, and the conditional access guidance Microsoft or Zoom publishes for shared devices.
  7. Harden Windows room PCs. Teams Rooms on Windows runs in a locked-down mode; keep it that way, and manage it with Intune or your MDM. See Teams Rooms Intune and Autopilot.
  8. Disable what you don't use, such as unused wireless sharing, Bluetooth, or open web admin interfaces.
  9. Protect physical ports. Keep room PCs in a locked credenza or on a compute mount behind the display.
  10. Monitor and review. Check portal alerts and review firmware quarterly.

Privacy in the room

Procurement and compliance

Some organizations must meet sourcing rules such as NDAA Section 889 or TAA. Check each part number before purchase; see NDAA and TAA compliant video conferencing.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving devices on the general user network.
  • Using one shared admin password for every room.
  • Letting firmware fall a year or more behind.
  • Disposing of devices without a factory reset.

Standardizing secure rooms across sites? Ask us for a quote on devices that fit one management portal.

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