British government bars Chinese-made security cameras from sensitive sites
- Government cites the ‘increasing capability and connectivity’ of the equipment in barring cameras made by the likes of Hikvision
- Departments advised to consider removing cameras entirely, including from non-sensitive sites
British government departments have been ordered to stop installing Chinese-made surveillance cameras in “sensitive” government sites and consider removing the cameras entirely after a security review.
A review by the Government Security Group determined additional controls were required “in light of the threat to the UK and the increasing capability and connectivity of these systems”, particularly involving equipment made by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law, according to Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The law compels businesses registered in China, or which have operations in the country, to hand over information and data to China’s intelligence agencies if asked.
Government departments have been advised not to connect any existing equipment to their core networks and consider removing such equipment ahead of scheduled replacement time frames, including from non-sensitive locations, Dowden said.
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