India Moves to Secure CCTV Surveillance Network with Stronger Cybersecurity Rules for Cameras

The Indian government has made a significant step towards improving the security of CCTV cameras in this nation. The Centre has established new Essential Requirements (ERs) that CCTV systems has to be present. These new rules are intended to prevent unauthorized remote access, hacking, and cyber threats related to surveillance cameras. This action is part of the government's bigger attempt to make video surveillance systems more secure and reliable for both public and private users.

CCTV cameras are now commonly installed in homes, offices, public places, banks, schools, and government places. However, several security experts caution that certain cameras can be hacked or accessed remotely by unauthorised people.

To address this issue, the government has mandated that CCTV manufacturers follow severe security testing and certification criteria.

Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, addressed  that the new rules require enterprises to properly identify the provenance of key components, inspect devices for security vulnerabilities, and have CCTV cameras tested at government-approved labs in India. These methods will help to ensure that CCTV systems in India are safe and secure.

According to the government, 507 CCTV camera models have already been certified under the new security standards. The government has also prohibited departments from purchasing CCTV equipment that does not fulfill these requirements.  Furthermore, ministries have been encouraged to take the appropriate precautions to protect CCTV networks from cyber threats and ensure the security of surveillance systems.

Another essential aspect of this program is to promote locally manufactured CCTV cameras in India. The Ministry of Electronics and IT released the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order in 2017, stating that government entities should favor CCTV systems built in India. This move is designed to increase Indian electronics manufacture, reduce dependency on foreign components, and improve data security and local control.

The Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) body under the Ministry of Electronics and IT is responsible for testing CCTV devices.

Manufacturers must test products through STQC or accredited labs and get certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Only after completing these steps can companies sell certified CCTV systems in India.

Aditya Khemka, Managing Director of CP Plus, said the new rules are a major step toward building trust in surveillance technology. According to him, the new framework focuses on hardware transparency, security vulnerability testing and Government validation of CCTV systems. This will ensure that CCTV devices are secure by design and safe for users.

Research firm Counterpoint According to research, these policies have the potential to have a significant influence. CP Plus, Matrix, Hikvision, Xiaomi, and other companies currently dominate the Indian CCTV market. Government demand alone accounts for 30-35% of total CCTV purchases in India. With stronger regulations, businesses may need to increase their usage of locally manufactured components and host software within India. Experts feel that this could help Indian companies like Sparsh and Matrix develop faster in the future.

Important things users should know that always buy certified CCTV cameras that meet government security standards, avoid cheap or unverified surveillance devices, as they may be vulnerable to hacking and regularly update CCTV firmware and passwords to improve security. The new CCTV security rules are an important step toward protecting privacy, preventing cyber threats, and strengthening India’s digital security ecosystem. By enforcing strict testing and promoting Make in India surveillance technology, the government aims to create a safer and more reliable CCTV network across the country.

Information referenced in this article is from ET Telecom