Hikvision

Hikvision (full name: Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese multinational company that is one of the world’s largest suppliers of video surveillance products and solutions. Here's a detailed overview:

Company Overview

• Founded: 2001

• Headquarters: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

• Ownership: Partially state-owned (Chinese government through CETC – China Electronics Technology Group Corporation – is a major shareholder)

• Stock Exchange: Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (ticker: 002415.SZ)

Core Products and Services

1. Video Surveillance Equipment

• IP cameras (network cameras)

• Analog cameras (HDTVI)

• Digital video recorders (DVRs)

• Network video recorders (NVRs)

• PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras

• Thermal imaging cameras

2. AI and Smart Solutions

• Facial recognition systems

• License plate recognition (LPR/ANPR)

• Smart retail analytics

• Traffic monitoring and smart city systems

3. Access Control and Intercom

• Biometric and RFID access control systems

• Video intercoms

4. Alarm and Intrusion Detection

• Motion detectors

• Intrusion panels

5. Software Platforms

• Hik-Connect (mobile app for remote viewing)

• iVMS-4200 (video management software)

• HikCentral (enterprise-level integrated security platform)

Global Presence

Hikvision has a strong international presence with subsidiaries and sales offices across:

• North America

• Europe

• Middle East

• Latin America

• Asia-Pacific
  It serves customers in over 150 countries.

Controversies and Criticism

1. Security and Privacy Concerns

• Accused by various countries of potential espionage risks due to alleged ties with the Chinese government.

• Concerns about data security, especially when equipment is used in sensitive infrastructure.

2. Sanctions and Bans

• U.S. Sanctions: In 2019, the U.S. added Hikvision to the Entity List, restricting American companies from selling technology to it.

• U.S. NDAA Ban: U.S. government agencies and contractors are banned from using Hikvision products.

• Other Countries: Australia, UK, and some European nations have restricted or reviewed Hikvision’s role in public surveillance.

3. Human Rights Allegations

• Alleged to have supplied surveillance systems used in Xinjiang, contributing to the mass surveillance of Uyghur Muslims. This has drawn widespread criticism and sanctions.

Alternatives to Hikvision

Due to these concerns, many institutions and governments seek alternatives:

• Dahua (another Chinese giant, also under scrutiny)

• Axis Communications (Sweden)

• Bosch Security (Germany)

• Tyco Security