Guide to NDAA Compliant Security Cameras from Optiview

What it Means for Your Surveillance System to be NDAA Compliant: A Guide

JACKSONVILLE, FL May 25, 2021 – Optiview, Inc. (“Optiview” or the “Company”)

What is NDAA Compliance?

NDAA (the National Defense Authorization Act) is a set of federal laws passed every year by the US government to determine what the annual budget is for the US Department of Defense. In the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, it states that there is a “Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment.” How this relates to the security industry has to do with certain companies within the People’s Republic of China, and what can and cannot be installed on government or military properties.

Those technology and surveillance companies are:

  • Hauwei Technologies Company
  • ZTE Corporation
  • Hytera Communications Corporation
  • Hangzhou Hikvision Technology Company
  • Dahua Technology Company

In order for video surveillance equipment to be installed in facilities or on properties requiring NDAA compliance, none of the components themselves, or sub components  within the security cameras or recorders can be manufactured by those companies listed above. This relates to both the finished products themselves and the components (including chipsets) inside.

How Do I Know If I’m Buying An NDAA Compliant Camera Or Recorder?

When it comes to determining if a security camera or recorder meets NDAA requirements, a discussion has to be had with your distributor. There are two major questions to ask.

1 – Find out the OEM Manufacturer

You will need to find out what OEM (original equipment manufacturer) the distributor is using, and whether or not they are on the banned list.

2 – Determine the Chipset

If the OEM is not on the banned list, then you’ll need to find out what chipsets/internal components (we’ll just refer to this collectively as the “chipset”) the equipment is using, and whether or not that is made by a banned company.

Hikvision, Dahua, and Hytera Security Equipment

Hikvision and Dahua are the two largest manufacturers of security and surveillance equipment based within China, and they have a huge presence in the United States because of their quality and price points. It is important to note that even if your distributor carries equipment that may be banned, this does not mean that all equipment they carry is banned or that the distributor itself is banned. Only the relevant equipment is banned. If your distributor carries other lines that are NDAA Compliant, these may be sold as such. In the case of Hikvision or Dahua, even if the chipset being used is compliant, the product itself is banned. In the case of otherwise allowed security camera and recorder manufacturers that are not banned, if the chipset contained within is banned, then the entire camera or recorder is banned. Contact us today at (904) 805-1581 to find out which Optiview cameras and recorders are NDAA compliant.

Deciphering the Chipset

After the manufacturer of the cameras and recorders is determined, the next thing to do is find out who manufacturers the chipset that is being used, or the ‘brains’ of the equipment. Hauwei is the world’s largest distributor of surveillance industry chips, under the brand name Hisilicon.

Some examples of alternative chips that are considered to be NDAA compliant are:

  • Ambarella
  • MStar
  • Intel

Again, you will need to ask your equipment distributor what chipsets are being used in the equipment they are claiming as NDAA compliant. Your distributor should be able to provide you with a document that states which items meet the requirements. These chips can be hidden inside PoE switches, wireless bridges, and more.

Which Security Cameras are not banned on US Government Properties?

In the first instance, a “ban” is determined by the purchasing government entity.  There may be exceptions that allow for the purchase of otherwise “banned” goods in limited circumstances.  In the event “NDAA compliant” equipment has been requested, Optiview carries a full line of NDAA compliant surveillance cameras and recorders, as well as many other items that are NDAA compliant.

  • NCV Line – All of the Optiview IP cameras and NVRs that end in “-NCV” are NDAA compliant, and will sport an “NDAA” badge. 
  • ArmorLogix Weatherproof Enclosures – All of the ArmorLogix weatherproof enclosures are NDAA compliant, and can be customized to include either NDAA or non-NDAA compliant equipment. Custom builds, if being used for a government facility or being paid for with government funds, must be verified. An Optiview Account Manager can verify this for you if they know this is something you need. 
  • Solar Carts and Trailers – The base solar carts and trailers are all NDAA compliant. Certain solar powered surveillance carts and trailers will, or will not be NDAA compliant based on the camera system being used for monitoring. 
  • Infrastructure – Optiview carries a wide variety of networking and infrastructure equipment, such as PoE switches, cables, connectors, wireless bridges, and more. If there are no computer chips installed in the item, then the item is considered to be NDAA compliant. If there are computer chips, have your Optiview Account Manager check this for you if it is a requirement.

In short, Optiview has a growing catalog of products that are fully NDAA compliant, and can freely be installed on federal government facilities, or properties. Click here to view all of our NDAA compliant products. This link is updated in real time as we add NDAA compliant surveillance or infrastructure equipment to our line-up.

NDAA Compliant Cameras

4MP NDAA Armor Ball IP Camera with Fixed Lens
IP4MIAB-28-SDA-NCV

4MP Turret Security Camera with 2.8mm Fixed Lens & Built-in Mic

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4MP Varifocal NDAA compliant IP Camera with Motorized Zoom
IP4MIAB-212-SDA-NCV

4MP Turret Security Camera with 2.8-12mm Motorized Varifocal Lens & Built-in Mic

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4MP NDAA Compliant Network IP Dome Camera with AI
IP4MIAB-212-SDAI-NCV

4MP Turret Security Camera with 2.7~13.5mm Motorized Lens, Advanced Starlight, AI & Built-in Mic

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IP4MIAD-212-Z-NCV - 4MP Network IR Fixed Armor Dome Camera
IP4MIAD-212-Z-NCV

4MP Vandal Dome Security Camera with 2.8~12mm Motorized Lens with Advanced Starlight

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IP4MIBC-212-SDA-NCV - 4MP Network IR Varifocal Bullet Camera with Built-In Audio
IP4MIBC-212-SDA-NCV

4MP Bullet Security Camera with 2.8~12mm Motorized Lens, Advanced Starlight & Built-in Mic

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4 MP NDAA Compliant IP Bullet Camera
IP4MIBC-212-SDAI-NCV

4MP Turret Security Camera with 2.7-13.5mm Motorized Lens, Advanced Starlight, AI & Built-in Mic

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IP5MIBC-28-SDA-NCV - 5MP SD Card Mini Fixed Bullet Network Camera with Built-In Mic
IP5MIBC-28-SDA-NCV

5MP Bullet Security Camera with 2.8mm Fixed Lens & Built-in Mic

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5MP NDAA Compliant IP Camera with AI and Low Light Illumination
IP5MIAB-28-SDAI-NCV

5MP Turret Security Camera with 2.8mm Fixed Lens with Advanced Starlight, AI & Built-in Mic

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2MP 33X PTZ with Advanced Starlight Lighthunter IR
IP2MPTZ33-NCV

2MP PTZ Security Camera with 33x Optical Zoom, Advanced Starlight & IR

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NDAA Compliant IP PTZ with Active Deterrence
IP5MPTZ-4XAD-NCV

5MP PTZ Security Camera with 4x Optical Zoom, Active Deterrence, IR & Built-in Mic

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5mp NDAA Compliant Indoor PTZ Camera
IP5MPTZ-5X-NCV

5MP PTZ Security Camera with 5X Optical Zoom and Two Way Talk

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NDAA Compliant Recorders

NVR8P84K-2-NCV - 8 Channel / 8 PoE 4K NDAA Compliant NVR
NVR8P84K-2-NCV

8-Channel 4K NVR with 2 SATA HDD Bays

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NVR16P164K-2-NCV - 16 Channel / 16 PoE 4K NDAA Compliant NVR
NVR16P164K-2-NCV

16-Channel 4K NVR with 2 SATA HDD Bays

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NVR32P164K-4-NCV - 32 Channel / 16 PoE 4K NDAA Compliant NVR
NVR32P164K-4-NCV

32-Channel 4K NVR with 4 SATA HDD Bays

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128 channel NDAA compliant NVR
NVR128-16-NCV

128-Channel 12MP NVR with 16 SATA HDD Bays

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