Great Britain Government achieved significant successes in replacing over 50% of the surveillance cameras of the Chinese company Hikvision at sensitive objects. It is planned to complete the full removal of equipment by April 2025.
The initiative is aimed at eliminating potential threats of national security related to the use of Chinese technologies in state institutions. Lord Kuker announced the progress of the work in a letter to Lord Alton from Liverpool.
Kuker emphasized that more than half of the small number of objects that used the Hikvision cameras have already replaced the equipment. It is expected that 70% of the remaining devices will be dismantled by the fall.
Observation of this task is conducted by the office of the Cabinet of Ministers. According to Lord Cuker, most of the sensitive objects did not use Chinese-made cameras, and only on a small number of such objects do their replacement now end.
China has repeatedly denied accusations of using its technologies to surveil other states. Local companies also reject any connection with the Chinese Communist Party, arguing that their products comply with international security standards and do not participate in the collection of data in the interests of the authorities. Nevertheless, no one wants to take risks in this scrupulous question.
The letter also affected the risks associated not only with cameras, but also with connected and electrical vehicles, especially Chinese production. However, Kuker explained that security threats relate not so much to manufacturers’ countries, but to the built-in systems used in these cars.
He noted that such risks can be associated with any types of connected cars, regardless of their origin or type of engine. To counteract the possible cyber risks, the government collaborates with national technical authorities, including the National Protection Department (NPSA) and the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC).
In addition, the UK takes an active part in the development of international cybersecurity rules. Representatives of the country are heading a working group under the European Economic Commission of the UN (UNEC), which is occupied by the issues of cyber protection and updating the software of vehicles.
The new regulation, ultimately, is aimed at identifying and preventing potential threats, monitoring new risks, and prompt response to cyber attacks.