The Secure Networks Act targets equipment on the Federal Communications Commission’s ‘Covered Equipment or Services List’ that ‘poses a national security threat.’ President Biden signed the bill into law on Nov. 11, 2021. Two major video equipment manufacturers in the physical security industry – Hikvision and Dahua – are on the list.
The Secure Equipment Act prevents equipment manufactured by Chinese state-backed firms from being further utilised and marketed in the United States. The legislation “Adds an extra layer of security that slams the door on entities that pose a national security risk from having a presence in the U.S. telecommunications network,” says U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), a House sponsor the bipartisan bill.
