NDAA Compliant Security Cameras & Section 889 Guide
Posted by Gregory DeRouanna on Feb 2, 2021
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 included Section 889, which established restrictions involving certain telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment and services. The rules were created because of national-security concerns involving specific manufacturers and their subsidiaries and affiliates.
For security dealers, contractors, government buyers and organizations that participate in federal contracting, this raises several practical questions: Which manufacturers are covered? Does the rule apply only to federal buildings? What should be verified before purchasing cameras or recorders? And how can buyers identify NDAA compliant security cameras and systems?
Who Should Be Concerned About NDAA Section 889?
Section 889 is particularly important for organizations involved in federal contracting and government procurement. Federal agencies are restricted from procuring or obtaining certain covered telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment or services when they are used as a substantial or essential component of a system or as critical technology, subject to applicable exceptions and waivers.
The FAR also contains restrictions affecting federal contractors that use covered equipment or services. This means compliance questions can extend beyond the cameras installed directly at a federal facility and may affect companies doing business with the federal government. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
If you are bidding a federal project or supplying a security camera system for a government application, confirm the applicable procurement requirements before quoting equipment.
What Equipment Is Covered by Section 889?
Current federal acquisition rules identify certain telecommunications or video-surveillance equipment and services produced or provided by specified companies, including subsidiaries and affiliates in some cases.
Under the FAR, Huawei and ZTE are identified in connection with covered telecommunications equipment. Hytera, Hikvision and Dahua are identified for certain video-surveillance and telecommunications equipment used for public safety, government-facility security, critical-infrastructure surveillance and other national-security purposes. The rules also address services provided by these entities or using covered equipment.
The FCC has separately placed covered equipment from these manufacturers on its Covered List and has imposed equipment-authorization restrictions for certain security and national-security uses.
Why the Brand Name on the Camera May Not Be Enough
Compliance review should not stop with the logo printed on the outside of the camera. Surveillance equipment is frequently sold through OEM and private-label relationships, so products sold under different brand names can sometimes originate from the same underlying manufacturer.
Buyers should verify the actual manufacturer and supply chain for the cameras, NVRs and other critical components being used on a government or federally regulated project. This is especially important when purchasing equipment from suppliers that do not clearly disclose who manufactured the product.
What Should Buyers Verify Before Purchasing?
How to Shop for NDAA Compliant Security Cameras
The safest approach is to purchase equipment from a supplier that clearly identifies which products are intended for NDAA-sensitive or federal applications. Avoid assuming that every product from a particular catalog, technology type or country of origin automatically satisfies your project's requirements.
CCTV Security Pros maintains a dedicated selection of NDAA compliant security cameras and surveillance products for customers who need equipment for government and other compliance-sensitive projects.
NDAA Compliant SureVision Security Equipment
SureVision is CCTV Security Pros' professional IP surveillance line. Selected SureVision cameras, recorders and systems are offered for customers who require NDAA-compliant surveillance equipment.
Because compliance should be verified at the product and project level, customers purchasing for federal, government or grant-funded applications should confirm the specific camera, recorder and system configuration before ordering. Our team can help identify appropriate SureVision equipment for your project.
Shop Professional IP Security Camera Systems by Size
Professional IP and PoE systems are available in a wide range of camera counts. For projects requiring NDAA compliance, verify that the specific cameras and recorder selected for the system meet the requirements of your application.
NDAA Security Camera FAQs
What does NDAA compliant mean for security cameras?
In surveillance procurement, NDAA compliance generally refers to equipment that does not use covered telecommunications or video-surveillance equipment or services prohibited under Section 889 for the applicable federal use or contract.
Are Hikvision and Dahua cameras covered by Section 889?
Federal acquisition rules identify certain video-surveillance and telecommunications equipment from Hikvision and Dahua, including subsidiaries and affiliates, as covered for specified public-safety, government-security, critical-infrastructure and national-security purposes.
Does NDAA Section 889 apply only to cameras installed in federal buildings?
No. Section 889 also affects federal contracting and can apply to a contractor's use of covered equipment or services, depending on the circumstances and applicable FAR requirements.
Are all Chinese security cameras banned?
No. Section 889 identifies specified manufacturers, services and categories of covered equipment rather than creating a blanket ban on every security camera manufactured in China.
How can I verify whether a security camera is NDAA compliant?
Verify the actual manufacturer, OEM relationship and product documentation, then confirm that the selected equipment satisfies the requirements of the agency, contract or federally funded project involved.
Need Help Selecting NDAA Compliant Surveillance Equipment?
CCTV Security Pros supplies professional security cameras, NVR recorders and complete surveillance systems for business, home and government applications. If your project requires NDAA-compliant equipment, contact us before ordering so we can help identify appropriate products for the installation.
