NDAA Section 889

NDAA-Compliant Security Systems in Colorado

Federal rules restrict video surveillance and telecom equipment from certain manufacturers. Find out where your system stands, and let our team help you meet the requirements.

NDAA Compliant

What is NDAA Section 889?

Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act bans certain telecom and video surveillance equipment from federal supply chains over security concerns. Since August 2020, federal contractors and organizations spending federal grant or loan money have also been restricted from using it.

The law covers more than cameras. Network video recorders, DVRs, telecom equipment and covered components inside other products are all included, along with products the covered companies make for other brands.

If your cameras or recorders came from one of the covered manufacturers, even under another brand name, they are not NDAA compliant. Because relabeled equipment is common in the security industry, the only reliable way to know is to confirm the actual manufacturer of each device.

Read our full guide to NDAA-compliant cameras

Covered manufacturers

  • Hikvision
  • Dahua
  • Huawei
  • ZTE
  • Hytera

Including their subsidiaries, affiliates and products made for other brands.

Key dates for NDAA Section 889

The rules came into force in stages, and the Federal Communications Commission has since added its own restrictions on the same companies.

August 13, 2018

NDAA signed into law

The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, including Section 889, becomes law.

August 13, 2019

Federal purchasing ban

Federal agencies can no longer buy or renew contracts for covered equipment.

August 13, 2020

Contractors and federal funds

Agencies cannot contract with companies that use covered equipment, and grant or loan money cannot be spent on it.

March 12, 2021

FCC Covered List

The FCC publishes its Covered List, naming the same five companies as a national security risk.

November 25, 2022

No new FCC approvals

The FCC stops authorizing new covered telecom and video surveillance equipment for sale in the U.S.

Who needs to comply?

Section 889 applies to organizations connected to federal spending. If any of these describe you, your security system needs to be compliant.

Federal agencies

Cannot buy or renew covered equipment.

Federal contractors

Cannot use covered equipment anywhere in their business when working with the government.

Grant and loan recipients

Schools, hospitals, housing authorities and others cannot spend federal funds on covered equipment.

Why NDAA compliance matters for your business

Even if you are not required to comply today, a compliant system protects your business and keeps your options open.

Stay eligible for government work

Bid on federal contracts and use federal grants or loans without your security system holding you back.

Stronger cybersecurity

The U.S. government restricted these manufacturers over security concerns. Compliant equipment removes that risk from your network.

Long-term support

New covered models can no longer get FCC approval, so replacements and parts for them are becoming harder to find.

Confidence for customers

Customers, tenants and business partners increasingly ask vendors about NDAA compliance. Have a clear answer ready.

Check Your System in 3 Questions

Get an instant result, then talk to our team about the next step.

Is Your Security System NDAA Compliant?

Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act restricts video surveillance and telecom equipment from certain Chinese manufacturers for federal agencies, federal contractors and organizations that use federal funds.

  • Free 3-question compliance check
  • Instant results for your system
  • Local Colorado team since 2006

Read our NDAA guide

How we help you become compliant

Upgrading does not have to mean starting from scratch. We plan the change around your property, budget and schedule.

1. System review

We identify the make, model and manufacturer of every camera and recorder you have.

2. Compliant upgrade plan

We recommend NDAA-compliant replacements and reuse existing cabling wherever possible.

3. Installation and records

We install and configure the new system and give you manufacturer records for your compliance files.

4. Ongoing support

We keep your system maintained and up to date, and our Colorado team is a phone call away when you need help.

Frequently Asked Questions

It means the equipment was not produced by the companies named in Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act: Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision and Dahua, or their subsidiaries and affiliates. This includes their products sold under other brand names and systems that use their components.

Federal agencies cannot buy covered equipment, and federal contractors cannot use it. Organizations that receive federal grants or loans, such as many schools, hospitals and public housing authorities, cannot spend those funds on it.

Usually not, unless you work with federal contracts or federal funds. Many businesses still choose compliant equipment for stronger cybersecurity and to stay eligible for future government work.

Yes. A camera made by a covered manufacturer is still covered when it carries a different brand name, which is why the manufacturer of every camera and recorder needs to be confirmed.

It covers all of it. NVRs, DVRs, network switches and any other video surveillance or telecom equipment produced by a covered manufacturer count, as do covered components built into other products.

Section 889 does not make covered equipment illegal for most private businesses to own. Federal contractors, however, cannot use it while working with the government, and organizations cannot replace it with federal grant or loan money. We can plan a phased replacement that spreads the cost and keeps your property protected throughout.

Often, yes. Network cabling, conduit and mounting locations can usually be reused when upgrading to NDAA-compliant IP cameras. Older analog systems on coaxial cable may need adapters or new cabling, which we confirm during the system review.

Start with the three-question check on this page. For a definite answer, our team can review the make, model and manufacturer of every camera and recorder in your system.

Make your security system NDAA compliant

Since 2006, Security Surveillance System has installed commercial and residential security systems across Colorado. Talk to our team about a compliant system for your property.