Security Update on Surveillance Equipment

On 24 November 2022 the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made a written ministerial statement to the House of Commons on the subject of visual surveillance systems used on the government estate.

That statement provides a direction that, following a comprehensive review undertaken by the Government Security Group, no visual surveillance equipment may be deployed onto sensitive sites where it is produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China.

The conclusion may raise concerns amongst those operating visual surveillance equipment which fits within this criteria outside of sensitive government sites. NPSA has issued guidance which assists security managers with their own procurement. This guidance provides advice on how to best select a security technology provider, and clearly sets the security standards that suppliers should meet and the considerations that organisations should be making during the procurement process.

The Cabinet Office will contact impacted departments responsible for sensitive sites to provide support and guidance on the implementation of the written ministerial statement.