As a small business owner in the Delaware Valley, you juggle dozens of responsibilities every day. When it comes to installing or upgrading a security system, the natural inclination is to find a solution that’s effective and fits the budget. But what if the camera system you bought online or from a low-bid installer introduces a significant risk to your business?
This is where a critical but often overlooked regulation comes into play: The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). While it sounds like something that only concerns federal agencies, its implications for your business’s cybersecurity and future are more significant than you might think.
What is NDAA Compliance?
The NDAA is a large piece of legislation passed annually by the U.S. Congress that specifies the budget and expenditures of the Department of Defense. A key provision, Section 889, explicitly bans the use of telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from specific Chinese companies by federal agencies and their contractors.
The list of banned manufacturers includes well-known names like Hikvision, Dahua, Huawei, ZTE, and Hytera. This ban was put in place due to national security concerns, including the potential for hidden backdoors that could allow for unauthorized surveillance and data exfiltration.
“I’m Not a Federal Contractor. Why Should I Care?”
This is the most common question we hear at Systems Integrations, and the answer has four parts:
1. Cybersecurity is Non-Negotiable: The core reason these components are banned is the cybersecurity risk they pose. A non-compliant camera connected to your network could potentially be a gateway for bad actors to access your business data, customer information, and financial records. At Systems Integrations, we build our security solutions on a foundation of cybersecurity best practices. Using equipment with known vulnerabilities is a risk no business can afford to take.
2. Future-Proofing Your Business: You may not work with the government today, but what about tomorrow? If an opportunity arises to bid on a municipal project, a subcontract for a federal contractor, or even just provide services to a business that is a federal contractor, having non-compliant equipment on your premises could disqualify you immediately. Investing in an NDAA-compliant system now keeps your options open.
3. Supply Chain and Reliability: Manufacturers on the NDAA ban list are facing increasing restrictions globally. This can lead to a lack of support, discontinued firmware updates (leaving security holes unpatched), and difficulty sourcing replacement parts. Compliant manufacturers, on the other hand, typically offer better support, stronger warranties, and a more secure and reliable product.
4. Insurance and Liability: As awareness of these cybersecurity risks grows, we are beginning to see insurance providers and client contracts include clauses that demand higher security standards. A data breach traced back to a compromised, non-compliant camera system could become a serious liability for your business.
How Systems Integrations Can Help
Choosing the right security partner is just as important as choosing the right equipment. Our team is committed to designing and installing systems that not only protect your physical assets but also strengthen your cybersecurity posture.
As we emphasized during our recent Cybersecurity Awareness Month promotion, using compliant, secure hardware is a fundamental step in protecting your business. We exclusively source our video surveillance and access control products from trusted, NDAA-compliant manufacturers.
If you’re unsure about your current system or are considering a new one, don’t leave it to chance. Systems Integrations proudly serves businesses throughout Southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, and the greater Delaware Valley.
Contact us today for a complimentary assessment of your current security system to ensure it’s a true asset to your business, not a hidden liability.