Canada enacts ban on Hikvision: A complete guide

Is Hikvision banned in any other countries?

Canada is not the first country to ban Hikvision products in government agencies. Many countries worldwide have enacted a ban in various capacities in the interest of national security or concerns over human rights abuses.

Here is a list of countries and unions that have placed a ban on Hikvision, with the extent of the order:

• United States: The U.S. banned Hikvision from receiving federal contracts due to security concerns.
• United Kingdom: The government began to prohibit the use of Hikvision equipment in official buildings in November 2022 after reviewing security risks.
• India: The Indian government ordered the removal of Hikvision cameras in 2020 from all military and sensitive areas, also forbidding the company from bidding for government contracts.
• European Union (EU): Removed all Hikvision thermal cameras from the EU Parliament in 2021, though not officially banned in government institutions throughout the union.
• Australia: The Australian Department of Defense removed all Hikvision cameras from its buildings in 2023.
• New Zealand: The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in New Zealand announced that it would cease purchasing Hikvision products for its buildings.
• South Korea: Hundreds of Hikvision products were temporarily banned for purchase and use in 2021 by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT.

How Canadian businesses can adapt to the ban

Federal government agencies, departments and crown corporations using Hikvision products face the dilemma of updating their security systems after the Hikvision ban. While their continued use for businesses is not strictly prohibited, security operations may struggle where the purchase of new equipment and product support is no longer permitted.

Business leaders and security teams should consider the following criteria when vetting new security cameras: 

• The origin of security products
• Supply chain security and transparency
• Cybersecurity practices
• Data privacy protocols to protect all stored information
• Accredited security certifications
• Can help improve overall security and assist in business operations

Why Canadian businesses are choosing Avigilon security cameras

Many effective camera options within the market can help businesses enhance their security despite the Hikvision ban in Canada. However, analyzing and reviewing the new criteria under the market circumstances provides clearer-cut solutions than others.

Avigilon specializes in comprehensive security solutions, including video security, access control, smart sensors and more – and may be the ideal solution for businesses searching for Hikvision alternatives while weighing new criteria, credibility and adaptability. Here’s how the products meet the standards for Canadian security technology solutions: 

• Trust & reliability: Over 100,000 organizations around the world trust the products
• Favorable origins: Avigilon has Canadian origins, with manufacturing facilities exclusively in North America.
• Cybersecure practices: Accredited with trust and cybersecurity certifications, such as SOC Type II and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance
• A complete solution: Avigilon specializes in advanced video technology, helping companies scale security infrastructure as their business needs grow. 

More Canadian businesses have been considering Avigilon security cameras amidst the Hikvision camera ban to help ensure secure sites and compliance with any future legal changes. The company already has a reputation for excellence. Still, it currently meets the needs of Canada’s security, making the products part of an ideal solution considering current circumstances.

Reevaluating video security infrastructure for Canadian organizations

As a global supplier of video security equipment, many Canadian organizations are impacted by the Hikvision ban. Notably, many of these businesses can no longer purchase or receive support for the products, forcing security teams to reevaluate their security infrastructure.

However, Canadian organizations can use the Hikvision ban to their advantage to adopt more advanced devices and create a unified physical security system. Businesses can implement solutions that not only improve site protection but also help enhance overall operations.

While the Hikvision ban in Canada may cause temporary disruption to certain establishments, there are many options to help overcome security obstacles swiftly and effectively.