Trailer Overwatch

What Is NDAA Compliance?

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — specifically Section 889 — prohibits U.S. federal agencies and their contractors from using telecommunications and video surveillance equipment manufactured by certain Chinese companies. The banned manufacturers include Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua, along with their subsidiaries and affiliates.

When a surveillance trailer is labeled "NDAA compliant," it means the cameras and other surveillance components inside do not come from any of the banned manufacturers. Instead, they use cameras from approved brands like Axis, Hanwha (formerly Samsung), Avigilon, Bosch, or similar manufacturers.

Do I Need NDAA-Compliant Equipment?

You need NDAA-compliant surveillance equipment if any of the following apply to your project: you're working on a federal government property, your project receives federal funding, you're a contractor or subcontractor on a government project, or you work for a federal, state, or local government agency that has adopted NDAA requirements. Even if you're not required to comply, many organizations prefer NDAA-compliant equipment for future-proofing and security best practices.

Why It Matters

The NDAA restrictions exist because of national security concerns about surveillance equipment that could potentially be used for espionage or unauthorized data collection. Cameras from banned manufacturers may have firmware vulnerabilities or backdoors that could be exploited.

For construction companies, municipalities, and law enforcement agencies, choosing NDAA-compliant surveillance trailers ensures you meet federal requirements and avoid potential penalties. Using non-compliant equipment on a federally-funded construction project could result in contract violations and loss of funding.

Common NDAA-Compliant Camera Brands

Axis Communications — Swedish manufacturer, widely considered the industry leader
Hanwha Techwin — South Korean manufacturer (formerly Samsung Techwin)
Avigilon — Canadian manufacturer, now part of Motorola Solutions
Bosch — German manufacturer with a strong security division
Pelco — U.S. manufacturer, now part of Motorola Solutions

Non-Compliant Camera Brands (Banned)

Hikvision — Chinese manufacturer, world's largest surveillance company
Dahua Technology — Chinese manufacturer, second largest globally
Any subsidiary, affiliate, or OEM rebrand of the above

How to Check

When evaluating surveillance trailer vendors, ask specifically what camera brand and model they use. If a vendor uses Hikvision or Dahua cameras (even if rebranded under a different name), the trailer is not NDAA compliant. You can filter for NDAA-compliant vendors in our directory using the NDAA filter.

NDAA-Compliant Vendors in Our Directory

5 vendors in our directory are confirmed NDAA compliant:

Backstreet Surveillance Deploy Surveillance Duck View Systems iSpyVision Stallion Infrastructure Services

Browse All NDAA-Compliant Vendors

NDAA Compliance for Surveillance Trailers