What are NDAA Compliant Security Cameras?

The National Defense Authorization Act, abbreviated as NDAA, is an annual piece of legislation that is passed by Congress to fund the United States Department of Defense. In 2018, Congress passed the John McCain NDAA Act for the 2019 fiscal year. In this act, Congress effectively banned government agencies from purchasing products from major Chinese equipment manufacturers due to geopolitical concerns. This ban greatly affects the security camera industry, as many of the largest manufacturers of security cameras are included on the banned list. Fortunately, CCTV Camera World carries a line of products that are compliant with the restrictions the 2019 NDAA enacted into law.

If you are already aware of the details of the NDAA and would like to see our line of NDAA compliant products, please click the link below.

Who is affected by the NDAA ban?

The 2019 NDAA mandates that federal government employees, contractors, and subcontractors adhere to the ban and transition away from non-compliant equipment. The 2020 revision, spearheaded by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), expanded the ban's scope to encompass businesses and non-profits receiving federal funding. However, home consumers and businesses without federal funding or transactions with the US federal government are not affected.

Who needs NDAA-compliant equipment?

Following the 2019 NDAA, the OMB introduced rules in 2020, based on Department of Defense recommendations. Consequently, entities such as Federal/State/Local agencies, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, manufacturers, and contractors— if they receive federal funding or transact with the federal government—must utilize NDAA compliant security and networking equipment.

Under these rules, we recommend that any institution that already receives funding or plans to apply for funding from the federal government examine its security camera system. If you or your employer intend on installing a new system, make sure you contact the vendor to ensure the products are NDAA-compliant. While it is unlikely that the federal government will start investigations into what security cameras are being used, it’s better to be safe than sorry. While federal probes into security equipment choices may be rare, the potential loss of funding or eligibility far outweighs the cost of equipment replacement.

How do I know what equipment is NDAA compliant on CCTV Camera World?

To determine if a particular product is NDAA compliant you can easily refer to the product picture in our store. The NDAA logo in the product image indicates that a product is confirmed to be NDAA compliant. The NDAA logo will even appear when adding the product to the shopping cart. You can print the shopping cart web page with the visible NDAA logo if you need a quick quote to provide to your purchasing department. Be sure to look for this logo in the product picture:

What products need to be replaced under the NDAA ban?

The NDAA ban prohibits the purchase and installation of communication and surveillance equipment. Large Chinese corporations listed in the ban produce the vast majority of this equipment. Security cameras, security recorders, and networking equipment cannot include technology, parts, computer chips, or software from any of the following manufacturers or their subsidiaries:

Dahua Technology Company
Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company
Huawei Technologies Company (HiSilicon)
Hytera Communications Corporation
SMIC
ZTE Corporation

Re-branded goods made by a company on the list are also subject to the ban. If you’re unsure about existing equipment, contacting the vendor that the equipment was purchased from is the best way to determine if the equipment is included in the ban.

Which Security Cameras Are Not Banned for US Government Use?

Many producers and vendors of security cameras and related equipment do not reveal what computer chips or parts are used. It is difficult to provide a guarantee that an existing camera is NDAA compliant or not. If you’re looking for security cameras that can be installed for federal government purposes, it’s extremely important that suppliers be open about their products and the parts that are used. You, as a purchaser, need to know who manufactured the cameras and what computer chips are being used.

Fortunately, here at CCTV Camera World, we are transparent about the chips and technology that are used in our equipment. If you want recommendations for NDAA compliant equipment or if you have equipment from us already and need to know its status, feel free to contact our support team or browse our NDAA-compatible products.

As an Installer, do I have to worry about NDAA compliance?

If you are a contractor or subcontractor who purchases wholesale security cameras and does federal installations, then the NDAA applies to your projects. This also includes any work done for businesses or nonprofits that directly receive federal funding under new rules enacted by the Office of Management and Budget in 2020. However, if you primarily provide services to home users or businesses, then you’re in the clear.

Business owners and consumers can and still should purchase professional and cost-effective products that are not NDAA-compliant. When using products that the NDAA forbids, there are no observable risks to regular consumers or businesses at this time. Before it leaves our warehouse, all of the equipment that CCTV Camera World sells is tested here in the United States.

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