Recent U.S. federal changes have made new Hikvision and Dahua equipment extremely difficult to obtain through compliant U.S. channels, but your existing business security systems can still be supported—for now.
If your business has relied on Hikvision or Dahua cameras for years without major issues, here’s the important update: the federal regulatory landscape shifted significantly between late 2025 and early 2026.
The good news: Existing, legally installed systems can continue operating, and professional maintenance and support remain available for most private business environments.
The challenge: New equipment, replacement parts, and system expansions using these brands have become increasingly difficult to source through authorized and compliant distribution. Following intensified FCC enforcement in late 2025, major retailers removed large numbers of listings, supply chains were disrupted, and the compliance and liability risks associated with adding or upgrading Hikvision or Dahua components increased substantially.
This article explains the U.S. “Covered Equipment” restrictions, how we arrived here, the cybersecurity concerns behind the rules, and—most importantly—what this means for your business and the practical steps you can take to keep your security system reliable moving forward.
This article provides general regulatory and cybersecurity guidance and is not legal advice.
U.S. Covered Equipment Restrictions
The restrictions stem from two primary federal actions, commonly referred to as the “Covered Equipment” rules or the FCC “Covered List” prohibitions.
NDAA Section 889 (Effective 2019–2020)
This law prohibits federal agencies, contractors, and recipients of federal grants or loans from procuring or using video surveillance equipment from Hikvision, Dahua, or their affiliates.
FCC Equipment Authorization Ban (Late 2022–Present)
Under the Secure Equipment Act, the FCC blocks new equipment authorizations for most Hikvision and Dahua products, particularly when intended for public safety, government facilities, critical infrastructure, or national security uses. New models generally cannot be legally imported or marketed in the U.S. without authorization.
These rules do not require private businesses to remove existing installed systems. Legacy equipment may remain in use, and professional maintenance and support are still available. However, new products, replacement parts, and major expansions are now severely constrained through compliant channels.
Several states—including Florida and Indiana—have adopted similar restrictions for their own agencies.
Timeline: How We Got Here
(2019–2026)
The restrictions developed gradually, which is why Hikvision and Dahua systems remained common in private businesses through much of 2025:
- 2019–2020: NDAA Section 889 phases in, primarily impacting federal agencies, contractors, and grant-funded projects.
- Late 2022: FCC blocks new equipment authorizations under the Secure Equipment Act.
- 2023–2024: Enforcement increases; private business installations often continue using existing inventory.
- 2025: FCC refines definitions related to critical infrastructure following court rulings.
- Late 2025 / Early 2026: A significant FCC enforcement push leads to widespread delistings by major retailers, further tightening availability. Covered List updates in late 2025 and early 2026 maintain strict prohibitions on video surveillance equipment from these manufacturers.
This escalation—not a sudden overnight ban—is why availability changed so dramatically heading into 2026.
Cybersecurity Risks Behind the Rules
The restrictions are driven by documented cybersecurity concerns associated with Hikvision and Dahua equipment, including previously identified backdoors, high-severity vulnerabilities (CVSS scores reaching 9.8+), and risks of unauthorized access or data exposure.
As firmware updates and official manufacturer support become limited or unavailable, these risks increase over time—even in private business networks—making proactive risk management increasingly important.
What This Means for Private Businesses Right Now
In most cases, professional installers and integrators can no longer add new Hikvision or Dahua components for expansions or upgrades due to:
- NDAA-related restrictions affecting contractors and downstream liability
- FCC rules governing unauthorized equipment (with potential financial penalties)
- Broader compliance, insurance, warranty, and risk-management concerns
Maintenance and support of existing systems remain available, but sourcing new components or planning major expansions with these brands is increasingly impractical through compliant channels.
Why Upgrading IP Cameras Is More Affordable Than Most People Think
One of the biggest misconceptions about upgrading a security camera system is that it requires starting over from scratch. In reality, if you already have an IP camera system in place, you’ve likely already covered more than 60% of the total system cost.
That’s because the most expensive and time-consuming part of installing a security camera system is often the cabling and infrastructure — not the cameras themselves.
Most IP camera systems use CAT5 or CAT6 Ethernet cable, and that cabling:
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Does not need to be replaced
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Works with newer, higher-resolution IP cameras
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Supports Power over Ethernet (PoE)
This means that when the cable is already installed, upgrading or adding a new camera is often as simple as mounting the camera and plugging it in.
Existing Cabling = Major Cost Savings
Because CAT5/CAT6 cable can be reused:
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Labor costs are dramatically reduced
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No wall cutting, trenching, or re-cabling is required
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New cameras can be added quickly with minimal disruption
In many cases, customers can reuse their existing Ethernet cable and network infrastructure, making camera upgrades or expansions far more affordable than installing a brand-new system.
Easy Expansion as Security Needs Grow
This also makes IP camera systems extremely scalable. If you decide later that you need coverage in a new area:
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The cable is often already there
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Installation is fast
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The cost is limited mostly to the camera itself
This flexibility is one of the biggest long-term advantages of IP-based surveillance systems.
Practical Recommendations for Businesses Using Hikvision or Dahua
Your current system does not need to be removed immediately. A measured, realistic approach works best.
1. Conduct a Professional System Audit
Schedule an assessment with a qualified security integrator to review firmware status, cybersecurity exposure, network configuration, and future upgrade paths. This provides clarity without panic.
2. Secure and Maintain What You Have
- Isolate the camera system from the public internet when possible
- Use VPNs or dedicated networks for remote access
- Enforce strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication
- Apply any available firmware updates promptly
- Monitor for unusual activity and consider network segmentation
These steps can safely extend the usable life of your existing system.
3. Plan a Phased Transition
Avoid full rip-and-replace projects. Start with critical areas such as entrances or high-value zones, and replace components gradually as equipment ages or fails. Many environments support hybrid deployments during transitions.
4. Move Toward NDAA-Compliant Alternatives
When expanding or replacing components, prioritize manufacturers with transparent ownership, strong cybersecurity practices, and explicit compliance documentation:
- Axis Communications — Industry-leading security, advanced analytics, and strong cybersecurity posture
- GeoVision — Professional PC-based systems with extensive integration options and compliant models
- Uniview — Scalable business camera platforms with compliant product lines and AI features
Planning Ahead
The Covered Equipment restrictions are firmly established and may tighten further over time. By securing and maintaining your existing system while planning a gradual transition to compliant alternatives, your business can remain protected, compliant, and operationally stable.
At CameraSecurityNow.com, we continue to provide full maintenance and support for existing Hikvision and Dahua systems while guiding businesses through compliant upgrades and long-term transition strategies. Contact us today to schedule an audit or speak with a security expert.
For official references, consult the FCC Covered List and NDAA Section 889 guidance at:
Get Started with CameraSecurityNow.com
Are you ready to equip your business with a holistic approach to security? That’s where CameraSecurityNow.com comes in.
Ask us for a free consultation. Consult with one of our experienced certified technicians today, for free, and you’ll have the opportunity to explain your security goals and budget. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity for us to come out for a site survey and provide you with suggestions on how to meet your goals and budget.
One of our technicians, led by CamChip the Chipmunk, will assist you every step of the way. We will start by giving you a free site survey, which will help us understand the best possible solution for you. Next, one of our technicians will walk you through what kind of cameras would work best for your business.
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