Discovery of Israeli Software BriefCam
Israeli video analytics software, BriefCam, has been discovered within Russian surveillance systems. This software is designed for deep analysis of video feeds, including the recognition of human actions and vehicles. BriefCam's developer was acquired by the Japanese corporation Canon in 2018, yet the technology continues to be integrated into the VMS XProtect platform from Denmark's Milestone Systems. These solutions have been available on the Russian market since the 2010s, highlighting the enduring presence of Western surveillance tech in the country.
Russian Sites Using BriefCam
According to reports, BriefCam is being utilized at several locations, including:
- The Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- The Eurasia skyscraper in Moscow-City
- The Zotov Cultural Center
Despite Milestone Systems officially exiting the Russian market in 2022, the use of XProtect and BriefCam within Russia has persisted.
As reported by The Financial Times, similar technology has been used by Israeli intelligence to track high-ranking officials in Iran, including the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to journalists at Mash. In these operations, Israeli intelligence gained access to street traffic cameras in Tehran, where AI algorithms analyzed behavioral patterns of individuals near the Iranian leadership's compound. The images were encrypted and transmitted to servers in Tel Aviv and southern Israel.
Furthermore, market participants note that some distributors offer such products through gray-market supply channels or install cracked versions of the software. A cyber breach executed by Israeli intelligence allowed them to calculate camera angles, blind spots, and parking locations on Pasteur Street, and to study the security system. The intelligence services also disabled nearby mobile communication towers.
Source: The Financial Times
The discovery of the Israeli BriefCam software in Russian surveillance infrastructure underscores the complex nature of global technology supply chains, even amidst geopolitical sanctions. It raises significant ethical and security concerns, as such powerful analytics tools can be employed for population control and monitoring under authoritarian regimes. The reliance on gray-market imports and cracked software also points to critical gaps in technology export controls, posing potential risks to national security.