What Is NDAA Section 889 and Why Does It Matter in Florida?
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 889 is a U.S. federal law that prohibits government agencies from purchasing or using telecommunications and video surveillance equipment made by certain Chinese companies — and from contracting with companies that use such equipment. Signed into law in 2018 and expanded in subsequent years, Section 889 has had a significant impact on the security camera industry in Florida and across the United States.
For Florida businesses, contractors, and government entities, understanding NDAA compliance is essential — especially for any project involving federal buildings, state facilities, schools receiving federal funding, or defense-related work.
Which Camera Brands Are Banned Under NDAA?
Section 889 specifically prohibits equipment manufactured by (or using components from) the following companies:
- Hikvision (Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology)
- Dahua (Zhejiang Dahua Technology)
- Huawei
- ZTE
- Hytera Communications
These companies — and their subsidiaries — appear on the FCC Covered List. Any video surveillance equipment they manufacture is prohibited for use in federal facilities or under federal contracts. This includes cameras, DVRs, NVRs, video analytics servers, and any associated networking equipment.
Note: This prohibition applies to government use and federal contracts specifically. Private businesses are not prohibited from using these cameras — but any entity seeking to win government contracts or operate in federally-regulated environments must comply.
Who Is Affected in Florida?
NDAA Section 889 compliance is relevant to a wide range of Florida entities:
- Federal government buildings — courthouses, VA hospitals, USPS facilities, military bases, federal offices
- State and county government facilities — county courthouses, sheriff departments, public schools
- Florida school districts — schools receiving Title I or other federal funding must comply
- Airports and port authorities — federally regulated transportation infrastructure
- Healthcare facilities — hospitals participating in Medicare/Medicaid
- Defense contractors — any business that holds or pursues Department of Defense contracts
- Security integrators — contractors who install systems in any of the above facilities
Florida is home to numerous military installations (SOCOM, CENTCOM, MacDill AFB, NAS Jacksonville), federal buildings, and a large public school system — making NDAA compliance a daily reality for South Florida security integrators.
Which Security Cameras Are NDAA Compliant?
The following brands are confirmed NDAA Section 889 compliant and are not on the FCC Covered List:
Hanwha Vision (Wisenet) — Recommended
Hanwha Vision (formerly Samsung Techwin) is the most widely deployed NDAA-compliant security camera brand in the U.S. market. South Korean-engineered with a strong distribution network, Hanwha's Wisenet product line includes dome cameras (QNV, XNV series), bullet cameras (QNO, XNO), PTZ cameras, and NVRs — all NDAA-compliant. IDS CCTV is an authorized Hanwha Vision dealer in Florida with the full Wisenet lineup in stock at our Hollywood FL warehouse. Shop Hanwha Vision cameras →
Axis Communications
Swedish manufacturer Axis is a premium NDAA-compliant brand with excellent build quality. Axis cameras are often found in high-security government and military facilities. They carry a significant price premium over other brands.
Bosch Security
German-engineered Bosch cameras are NDAA-compliant and well-regarded in the enterprise and government space.
Avigilon (Motorola Solutions)
Avigilon offers NDAA-compliant cameras with strong AI analytics. Now part of Motorola Solutions.
Pelco
U.S.-founded Pelco (now owned by Motorola) is NDAA-compliant and common in legacy government installations.
NDAA Compliance: Common Misconceptions
"Our cameras are ONVIF compatible, so they're compliant"
False. ONVIF is an interoperability standard, not a compliance certification. Hikvision and Dahua cameras are ONVIF-compatible but are not NDAA-compliant.
"We bought the cameras from a U.S. distributor, so they're compliant"
False. The compliance determination is based on the manufacturer, not the reseller. Buying Hikvision cameras from a U.S. distributor does not make them NDAA-compliant.
"We only need to worry about cameras in the main lobby"
False. The prohibition applies to all covered equipment on the premises, not just high-visibility locations. A banned camera in a server room or back corridor still creates compliance exposure.
"Private companies don't need NDAA-compliant cameras"
Partially true — private companies are not legally required to use NDAA-compliant cameras. However, if your business performs work for the federal government, receives federal grants, or subcontracts on federal projects, NDAA compliance applies. Additionally, many large enterprises are proactively adopting NDAA-compliant cameras as a supply chain security best practice.
How to Audit Your Existing System
If you're unsure whether your current security cameras are NDAA-compliant, here's how to check:
- Identify the manufacturer — check the camera housing, NVR menu, or documentation for brand name
- Check the FCC Covered List — the FCC maintains a current list at fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist
- Assess your exposure — are these cameras in a federally-regulated environment? Used by a federal contractor?
- Plan replacement — if non-compliant cameras are identified, develop a phased replacement plan with NDAA-compliant alternatives
IDS CCTV offers compliance consultation and replacement planning for Florida government contractors and regulated facilities. Call (954) 903-0007 to discuss your situation.
Rip-and-Replace vs Phased Compliance
Replacing a large installed base of non-compliant cameras can be expensive. For most Florida organizations, a phased approach works well:
- Phase 1: Replace cameras in the highest-risk areas first (entrances, server rooms, executive offices)
- Phase 2: Replace cameras in medium-risk zones during normal refresh cycles
- Phase 3: Complete full replacement before contract renewal deadlines
IDS CCTV stocks Hanwha Vision Wisenet cameras in all form factors, making it straightforward to swap out specific camera types while maintaining coverage continuity.
Summary
NDAA Section 889 is a real compliance requirement that affects a large portion of Florida's government, education, healthcare, and defense contracting sectors. The key takeaways:
- Hikvision and Dahua cameras are not NDAA-compliant
- Hanwha Vision (Wisenet), Axis, Bosch, and Avigilon cameras are NDAA-compliant
- Compliance applies to any use of federal funds or federal contract performance
- IDS CCTV is an authorized Hanwha Vision dealer in Florida with full Wisenet stock
Questions about NDAA compliance for your Florida project? Call IDS CCTV at (954) 903-0007 or visit us at 2850 Stirling Rd Suite G, Hollywood FL 33020.
