In light of recent geopolitical events, many Australians are questioning whether Hikvision, a security and surveillance hardware manufacturer based in China, is safe to use in their homes or businesses.

The Short Answer

Yes, Hikvision security products are legal to use in Australia. Additionally, they are considered safe for small business and domestic installations.

Government Concerns and Political Context

Recent announcements by the Australian Government indicate plans to remove Hikvision and Dahua CCTV equipment from Commonwealth government buildings, citing concerns about potential spyware. It is important to understand that this decision is largely political, and there is no evidence to suggest that the Chinese government is using this equipment for espionage. Moreover, there is no significant risk of the Chinese government spying on average Australian households or businesses. We always recommend installing CCTV systems outdoors and disabling audio to further enhance security. Despite these concerns, these CCTV brands remain legal for installation and use in Australia.

Why Hikvision?

Hikvision offers some of the most cost-effective and advanced technologies available on the market. This has led to their recognition as one of the premier brands in the global security industry. The Hikvision website even highlights several recent Australian projects that have utilized their alarm, CCTV, and access control systems to secure various premises.

Additional Security Measures

For those still concerned about the use of Chinese-manufactured security and surveillance hardware, there are several additional measures you can take to enhance the privacy and protection of your system:

Assign Passwords to Cameras and Recorder: Implementing password protection on both the recorder and cameras adds an extra layer of security against potential hackers who might try to access your system using default passwords.
Upgrade Your Devices to the Latest Firmware: Regularly check for and install available firmware upgrades to ensure your system is protected against any potential vulnerabilities.
Set Up for Local Use Only: As a last resort, you can opt to use your surveillance system locally without connecting it to an active network. While this might limit remote viewing functionality, it ensures that only you can access live views and recordings directly from your NVR recorder, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Purchase from Reputable Suppliers: Buying hardware from a reputable supplier ensures that you receive genuine products that meet security standards, avoiding grey market or rebadged items that may not be as secure.
Professional Installation: Always have your system installed by licensed professionals. At Peninsula Smart Home Automation, our technicians are licensed and insured security experts with extensive experience in Hikvision systems and a variety of other security solutions.

If you still have concerns, please contact our office to discuss alternative camera brands and security solutions.