Ban of Dahua and Hikvision Is Now US Government Law

[Phil]

Just FYI:
Ban of Dahua and Hikvision Is Now US Gov Law



All the details of these developments in the US are contained within the article (click the image or the link above).

 

[Phil]

An alternative article:
New US Law bans Hikvision and Dahua products

"Additionally, beginning in August 2020, these government agencies will also be barred from entering into, extending, or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any of the above-mentioned telecommunication and video surveillance equipment."​

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"The wider impact in terms of the confidence of international markets has to be a further consideration, as the bill will almost certainly make other authorities consider the question of the integrity of these products." ​

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[Phil]

There seems to be increasing attention to the use of Hikvision and Dahua cameras

The US Government was the first to take action, but it seems there may now be a growing interest and reaction elsewhere in the world.


Trump Administration Considers Sanctions Against Dahua and Hikvision

"The sanctions would amount to:​

• A freeze on all Hikvision and Dahua assets – from property to cash – in the United States
• A prohibition on all their transactions with US persons/companies (e.g., their employees and distributors)
• The possible suspension of Hikvision/Dahua executives’ right to obtain visas to the US"

Australia and French National TV Investigate Hikvision, Australia Military To Remove Hikvision Cameras

"The ABC report caused Australia’s Defence Department to remove the camera. "Should any further cameras be identified they will also be replaced," Defence told the ABC. IPVM confirmed with the ABC that Defence was referring to all Australia's military, not just the Edinburgh base."​

Your thoughts?

 

[RogerJP]

I remember about 4 years ago Foscam cameras had undocumented back doors that could not be disabled for a while, but vigilant users discovered their cameras phoning home despite all the user-selectable remote options having been switched off. This went viral over their own forums. They pretty rapidly brought out new firmware which closed it off, but by then the reputational horse had bolted. Foscam no longer have a realistic presence (apart from the vestige on Amazon and Ebay) and their "professional" brand - Amcrest - which used to send me regular teaser email offers, seem to have died since April.

Do we know if the Hikvision back door is user-switch-off-able or if a firmware update will be required to close it off fully? Port 80/81 back doors are the worst; other port back doors can be nipped in the bud by appropriate router firewalling. If the former, whilst from a PR perspective they've been prats, I don't see it as a particular problem. If the latter... one can not be sure of what's to come depending on the reasons behind it.

I don't think it will deter me from getting my new place equipped with their 8MP turrets - nothing will be of interest to any of the pundits, and I seriously doubt any opportune burglar will be capable...

I guess since I'm imminently to purchase cameras, I should hold fire for just a little while lest a blanket software update be forced through - I'd want that to happen their (or your!) side of the fence I think.

 

[Phil]

Hikvision did have a secret backdoor issue, but that was fixed Spring 2017.
They have become much better at managing security issues since.
Cybersecurity Center - Hikvision UK & Ireland

With frequent updates and advice:
Security Advisory - Hikvision UK & Ireland

And forming a partnership with a third-party specialist:
Hikvision announces partnership with security lab Brightsight - Hikvision UK & Ireland

The issues they are facing in the US are state-to-state concerns i.e. the US government was acting against them based upon technical vulnerability concerns e.g. hacking/spying.
Latterly, the US government is threatening sanctions against them based on their part in facilitating human rights issues in China.
No sign of similar reactions in the UK, so far.

 

[RogerJP]

Thanks - my mind is at rest then and I will select the spider-free 8mP!

 

[aloau]

Since Hikvision cameras are banned, what brand does the US government use now for CCTVs?

 

[Phil]

I guess they put tenders out for each project and you can bid with any manufacturer except the above.
Other Chinese accepted.

 

[aloau]

Any clue on what the percentages are? Like what manufacturer does the US government prefer for like high-level security premises? I believe it was Hikvision before this as they had advanced AI capabilities and stuff

Thanks for the quick responses!

 

[Phil]

Sorry, I have no idea. There are links in post #1 and #3 to IPVM in USA, they will have more info on those points than us.