Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, there is nothing more important then knowing that your belongings are safe and secure. Of course the best way to accomplish this is with a video surveillance camera system. But what if your cameras were the ONE component of your system that WASN’T keeping you secure? What if it was letting security threats in, rather than keeping them out? Well if you are using specific brands including Hikvision, Dahua, or other Chinese-made security cameras, this might be the case.

The U.S government is considering new measures to stop the sale of such cameras due to these companies questionable ties to the Chinese government and threats to our national security. So what information do you need if these brands are part of your video surveillance system? What should you do moving forward? Below are the 4 things you need to know about the ban of these Chinese surveillance products in the U.S.

What Our Government is Saying.

The U.S Senate is considering a measure that will require the FCC to end approval of equipment and devices made by Chinese telecommunication companies that are deemed a national security threat. A version of this measure has already passed in the House of Representatives, and in 2019, the Trusted Communications Network Act detailed which of these companies posed a threat. “If finalized, the FCC action will reduce supply and eventually eliminate future availability in the U.S. of products from these companies…” says Jake Parker, senior director of government relations at the Security Industry Association. More information can be found here.

What Makes Companies Like Hikvision a Threat?

Companies like Hikvision, Dahua, and even TikTok are considered threats to national security because of their close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. China expects full cooperation from any person or company if called upon, and Article 7 of the Chinese National Intelligence law states “Any organization or citizen shall support, assist, and cooperate with stat intelligence work in accordance with the law.” This raises concerns for policymakers about Chinese tech companies’ ability to resist providing information if strong-armed by their government.

But it’s not just Chinese policy that worries the U.S., but also how these companies are highly integrated into their government as well. The People’s Republic of China is the controlling stakeholder of Hikvision through the state-owned company Chinese Electronic Technology Group. Chen Zongian, Chairman of Hikvision, is also apart of China’s National People’s Congress. Many Chinese telecommunication companies have government ties that the U.S. cannot ignore any longer.

HikVision Cameras Are Not Very Secure.

For a long time, security experts have had concerns about Hikvision. They’ve alleged that the technology is insecure and the code is “poorly-written,” making it susceptible to back-door hacking. Back in 2017, the Department of Homeland Security issued an advisory about the existence of a backdoor into HikVision cameras. Hikvision has since “patched” this, but as recently as September 2021, Forbes published an article about Hikvision’s most recent backdoor liability. The article states “show-stopping vulnerability,” and that the cameras are, “susceptible to remote hijacking, and the attacker doesn’t need a username or password to break in.” And once inside the camera, hackers can then access the rest of your system. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) has rated the vulnerability as a 9.8 out of 10. There have also been other incidents in both 2014 and 2015 of Hikvision cameras being hacked and used to mine for Bitcoin.

The vulnerability of their cameras, as well as their links to their national government, make it challenging to feel secure about one’s camera system.

Does Your Camera System Use Hikvision Cameras?

So what can you do to protect yourself, your business, or your home? The best thing to do is start replacing your camera’s before the ban is official. First Response has the knowledge, technology and professionalism required to meet all your security camera needs. And it’s not just cameras, we offer a wealth of services — including intrusion detection , fire systems, access control, video surveillance, home automation and more — while also keeping you constantly connected to your security system right from your smartphone.

With committed customer support and 24/7 in house monitoring center, we won’t leave anything to chance when it comes to your security. We are committed to providing unbeatable peace of mind and a higher standard of service and security solutions.

First Response Security is your local technology leader, providing state-of-the-art technology in all things security cameras, as well as other security solutions that will fit your needs.