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#AceNewsDesk reports, [Feb 9, 2023 at 13:06] Australia Orders Checks On Chinese-Made Cameras In Defence Offices: Published on February 09, 2023: According to Reuters, the Australian government will examine surveillance technology used in offices of the defense department, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday, amid reports that Chinese-made cameras installed there posed a security risk. “This is an issue, and … we’re doing an assessment of all the technology for surveillance within the defense (department), and where those particular cameras are found, they are going to be removed,” Marles told ABC Radio in an interview. Opposition lawmaker James Paterson said his audit had revealed almost 1,000 units of equipment by Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology Co — two partly state-owned Chinese firms — were installed across more than 250 Australian government offices. Paterson, the shadow minister for cyber security and countering foreign interference, urged the government to devise a plan to remove all such cameras.

Marles said the issue was significant though adding: “I don’t think we should overstate it.” Hikvision said it was “categorically false” to represent the company as a threat to Australia’s national security as it could not access the video data of end users, manage end-user databases or sell cloud storage in Australia. “Our cameras are compliant with all applicable Australian laws and regulations and are subject to strict security requirements,” a spokesperson said in an emailed response

Chinese-made security cameras to be removed from Australian War Memorial due to spyware concerns with almost a dozen Chinese-made surveillance cameras are set to be removed from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra over concerns the devices could be used for spying.

Newly appointed Australian War Memorial chair Kim Beazley said the institution was acting out of “an abundance of caution” in its decision to remove the cameras.

The surveillance equipment in question was manufactured by Hikvision, which is partly owned by the Chinese government, and is one of the world’s largest suppliers of CCTV cameras.

In a similar move late last year, the UK government restricted its use of Hikvision cameras at government sites.

Five of the memorial’s 11 Hikvision cameras are set to be removed by the end of the month, while the remainder will be stripped from the institution next year.

Mr Beazley said the cameras represented a “small minority” of the roughly 200 on-site.

He said the decision to remove the devices reflected the need for caution in a changing world

“It’s not just in cameras … you’re pretty careful now with pretty well all your electronics,” Mr Beazley added.

“It’s not because we’ve had any notice of anything untoward but it’s an abundance of caution.”

He said the Hikvision cameras were not positioned inside the memorial and therefore were not filming any significant historical exhibits.

“If you went around the war memorial, if it wasn’t properly protected, you could pick up useful material, but we do properly protect it,” he said.

Cameras likely chosen to save costs: opposition

The cameras are monitoring the outside of the building, as well as surrounding public areas and car parks.(ABC News: Eleni Curry)none

Federal opposition cybersecurity spokesman James Paterson said he was pleased the cameras were being removed after he raised concerns that they could be used as spyware.

“The war memorial is to be commended, in a sense, that they recognise that they have these devices and that they should be removed,” Senator Paterson said.

“That is appropriate recognition of the national security risk they pose.”

 He said he suspected the cameras were chosen for affordability.

“They have assistance from the Chinese government, including concessional loans and subsidies, and that does allow them sometimes to outcompete their western competitors,” Mr Paterson said.

‘That’s a big no-no’

Hikvision cameras have become popular as the company does not charge hefty licensing fees for use of its software.(Supplied: Hikvision)none

Canberra commercial security camera installer Ofir Abotbol said Hikvision cameras have dominated the market because they provide “value” with free software.

 “And when it comes to the domestic market, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them,” Mr Abotbol said.

“But in saying that, I wouldn’t install Hikvision in every location, because, in my opinion, when it comes to national security we need to be extremely selective.

“If [the cameras] are connected to the main network, let’s say, where there is secret information, that’s a big no-no.

“You have to segregate the CCTV system from the standard network.

“So, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s an American or Chinese CCTV system, I would just never install them on the same network [that carries other information].”

Mr Abotbol said he has been in the industry for two decades but had recently become concerned that some installers may not be taking appropriate steps. 

“You find yourself in an industry with lots of professionals and lots of cowboys,” he said. 

“And when cowboys install a security system and they don’t set it up properly and segregate it from the rest of the network or apply strong passwords, then you’re getting vulnerabilities and companies that can potentially take advantage.”

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