In an increasingly connected world, the security of your business infrastructure is critical. Many organizations remain unaware that widely-used video surveillance equipment in their facilities may pose significant security and compliance risks. The U.S. government has taken decisive action against two of the world’s largest video surveillance manufacturers—Hikvision and Dahua—due to national security concerns. If your business utilizes equipment from these brands, you need to understand the implications and take immediate steps to mitigate potential risks.
This post breaks down the ban, explains how it affects your business, and provides a clear roadmap for replacing compromised equipment with secure, compliant alternatives.
What is the Hikvision and Dahua Ban?
The U.S. government has implemented a comprehensive ban on the procurement and use of telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from Hikvision, Dahua, and several other Chinese technology companies. This represents a series of legislative and regulatory actions, most notably:
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2019: Section 889 of the NDAA prohibits federal agencies, their contractors, and recipients of federal grants or loans from procuring or using “covered telecommunications equipment or services” from these companies. This is critical for any business that works with or aspires to work with federal, state, or local government entities.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rulings: The FCC has designated Hikvision and Dahua as national security threats under the Secure Equipment Act and has prohibited the authorization of new equipment from these companies for sale or import in the United States. This means newer products from these brands cannot be legally sold, imported, or installed.
The primary drivers behind these bans include concerns over the companies’ ties to the Chinese government, potential for espionage through hidden backdoors and vulnerabilities in their products, cybersecurity weaknesses, and their alleged involvement in human rights abuses.
Recent FCC Rulings and Legal Precedents
The actions against Hikvision and Dahua have been solidified by a series of significant FCC rulings and court decisions. These are not temporary measures—they are legally binding and have set strong precedents for enforcement.
November 2022 FCC Order
The FCC adopted a Report and Order that formally banned the authorization of any new equipment from Hikvision and Dahua. This ruling effectively halted the legal importation and sale of new products from these companies in the United States, closing a significant loophole and preventing future sales of banned equipment.
Ongoing Enforcement: October 2025
As recently as October 2025, the FCC has intensified its crackdown on prohibited equipment. FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced that major online retailers have removed millions of listings for prohibited Chinese electronics, including security cameras from Hikvision and Dahua. The FCC has made clear its commitment to ongoing, aggressive enforcement to protect U.S. national security and prevent the proliferation of vulnerable surveillance equipment.
Court of Appeals Upholds Ban: April 2024
In April 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the FCC’s decision to ban Hikvision and Dahua equipment. The court rejected the companies’ legal challenges, solidifying the FCC’s authority to take action based on national security risks. This ruling is a critical legal precedent that strengthens the ban and makes it highly unlikely to be overturned. Businesses can no longer assume this is a temporary regulatory action—it is now firmly established law.
How This Affects Your Business: More Than Just Compliance
Even if your business does not directly contract with the federal government, using Hikvision or Dahua equipment creates serious risks and limitations:
Critical Security Vulnerabilities
The core issue is the documented potential for unauthorized access to your video surveillance feeds and network infrastructure. Multiple cybersecurity researchers have identified backdoors, hardcoded credentials, and unpatched vulnerabilities in these systems. This exposure could enable corporate espionage, theft of sensitive data, unauthorized surveillance of your operations, or even network infiltration leading to broader system compromise.
Government Contract Disqualification
If your business seeks to work with federal agencies, receive government grants, or partner with federal contractors, non-compliant equipment will disqualify you. Many state and local governments are adopting similar restrictions, further limiting your business opportunities.
Obsolescence and Support Concerns
With the FCC ban on new equipment authorizations and the October 2025 removal of millions of product listings from major retailers, the future availability of firmware updates, security patches, and replacement parts for these systems is increasingly uncertain. You risk being locked into a security system that becomes progressively more difficult and expensive to maintain, impossible to expand, and increasingly vulnerable as security flaws go unpatched.
Reputational and Client Trust Issues
As awareness of these security risks grows among businesses and consumers, being associated with banned technology can damage your company’s reputation. Clients, partners, and vendors increasingly expect their business associates to maintain secure, compliant infrastructure. This is particularly critical for businesses handling sensitive client data or operating in regulated industries.
Insurance and Liability Exposure
In the event of a security breach or data compromise, having known-vulnerable and non-compliant equipment could have serious implications for your insurance coverage, increase your liability exposure, and complicate legal defense. Insurers may deny claims or increase premiums when breaches involve equipment with documented security flaws that you failed to remediate.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Your Equipment
The transition away from banned equipment is an opportunity to upgrade your overall security posture with modern, secure technology. Here’s how to approach the process:
Step 1: Identify Your Equipment
Conduct a comprehensive audit of your current video surveillance system. Check for the brand names “Hikvision” or “Dahua” on all cameras, recorders (NVRs and DVRs), and related hardware. Be aware that these manufacturers also produce equipment sold under numerous third-party brand names and white-label products. If you’re uncertain about your equipment’s origin, consult with a licensed security integrator who can perform a thorough system assessment.
Step 2: Assess Your Current and Future Security Needs
Use this transition as an opportunity to re-evaluate your security requirements. Consider changes in your business operations, facility layout, coverage gaps in your current system, and emerging security concerns. Identify areas where enhanced capabilities—such as higher resolution, analytics, or integration with access control—would provide additional value. This assessment ensures your replacement system addresses current needs while accommodating future growth.
Step 3: Choose NDAA-Compliant and Secure Alternatives
Multiple reputable manufacturers produce video surveillance equipment that is fully compliant with NDAA and FCC regulations. At Systems Integrations, we exclusively deploy NDAA-compliant equipment and are certified partners with industry-leading manufacturers including Hanwha Vision and Rhombus. When selecting a replacement system, prioritize brands that demonstrate strong cybersecurity practices, offer robust warranties and support, maintain regular firmware updates, and have proven track records of reliability and performance.
Step 4: Plan for a Seamless Transition
A well-planned transition minimizes disruption to your business operations and security coverage. A professional security integrator can develop a phased replacement plan if necessary, ensuring continuous coverage throughout the upgrade process. In most cases, existing cabling infrastructure can be reused, significantly reducing both cost and installation time. Professional installation ensures proper configuration, network segmentation, and cybersecurity best practices from day one.
Step 5: Leverage Enhanced Security Capabilities
Modern, compliant security systems offer substantial advantages beyond removing potential threats. Current-generation systems feature significantly higher resolution cameras, AI-powered analytics for proactive threat detection, improved remote access with enhanced security protocols, better integration with access control and other security platforms, cloud-based management options, and superior low-light performance. These capabilities transform your surveillance system from a passive recording tool into an active security asset.
Your Partner in Secure, Compliant Solutions
At Systems Integrations, we understand that navigating the complexities of the Hikvision and Dahua ban can be challenging. Our team of licensed security professionals is here to guide you through every step of the process. We provide comprehensive assessments of your current system, recommend the best NDAA-compliant alternatives tailored to your specific business requirements and budget, and ensure seamless, professional installation with minimal disruption to your operations.
Our technicians are factory-trained and certified on all equipment we install, and we maintain active partnerships with Hanwha Vision, Rhombus, and other leading manufacturers. We serve businesses throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and hold full licensing in all three states plus Florida.
Don’t wait for a security breach or compliance issue to force your hand. Contact Systems Integrations today at (866) 417-3787 for a complimentary consultation and system assessment. Take the first step toward a more secure, compliant future for your business.