Before we answer that question, let's try and recap the privacy and data protection concerns of the last few months regarding Chinese State-owned Camera Systems.
Over the past year the US, UK, and Australian Governments have begun banning the use of Chinese Security Cameras in their Parliamentary buildings due to data security and privacy concerns. The Chinese (Weather) Balloons flying over the US certainly did not help to lower the temperature's either.
At the start of this week, a TD wrote to the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil asking him to review the use of Chinese-owned security cameras in Leinster House.
This led to the OPW in its regard to CCTV" to review best practice and to implement any recommendations as necessary" after a review "in collaboration with industry experts".
Hikvision which is Chinese owned is one of the largest manufacturers of CCTV in the world and is one of the main providers of CCTV to the Irish Market if not the main.
In response to the coverage in the Dáil and the OPW review. Hikvision released the following statement: https://bit.ly/3S6oTJS
Power Right has been installing Hikvision cameras since they entered the Irish Market over 20 years ago and will continue to do so until any of the above concerns or allegations are confirmed.
Yes there is, over 5 years ago an American client of ours requested us to provide them with a CCTV Solution which was #NDAA compliant. This has become a very common request from American Companies that have Irish sites.
NDAA (the National Defense Authorization Act) is one of the series of United States federal laws stating and regulating the budget of the United States Department of Defense. In 2019, Section 899 of NDAA was implemented which prohibits the US federal government, government contractors, and grant and loan recipients from purchasing telecommunication and CCTV equipment from specified Chinese companies and their subsidiaries.
These companies were put on the NDAA due to alleged concerns that such systems could let the Chinese government remotely spy on federal facilities.
NDAA compliant means that any CCTV Product used does not have applications that are manufactured by or contain any components from Huawei/HiSilicon, Hikvision, ZTE, Hytera, Dahua, or any of their subsidiaries and/or Chinese-owned affiliated entities.
Not only are federal agencies banned from purchasing equipment from these brands, but they can’t do business with contractors that use surveillance technology from backlisted products.
Our research towards a good NDAA compliant product led us towards Avigilon owned by the Motorola Solutions Group. We found this to be an amazing product, with a best in the world CCTV Video Management Viewing Software and hardware. In 2019 we became an authorised partner of Avigilon and have seen it become more popular with our clients as each year passes.
You can read more about the Avigilon Products and Software on our website: https://bit.ly/3Kf7GMC
Other popular brands that are NDAA compliant are as such and in no particular order, Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems, Hanwha Techwin America, Pelco and Ava Security.
The best way to know if your surveillance technology is in compliance with the NDAA is to get a comprehensive audit with a company that’s experienced in installing NDAA compliant Solutions.
If you have any concerns about any of the above or would like an Avigilon Demo or Quote, please do not hesitate to contact us: https://www.powerright.ie/commercial-customer-quote