The Rise of Security Concerns Surrounding Surveillance Cameras

In recent years, the rapid growth of surveillance cameras in Vietnam has brought significant security concerns to the forefront. With the widespread use of these devices, issues related to their security vulnerabilities have become more prominent. According to a draft regulation released by the Ministry of Information and Communications, as of May 2023, there were more than 800,000 surveillance cameras across the country sharing image data via the internet. Approximately 45% of these devices have severe security loopholes, making them highly susceptible to cyberattacks and unauthorized control by hackers.

These vulnerabilities are not limited to cameras installed in public spaces. Even more worrying is the illegal trade of footage captured by cameras in private locations, such as bedrooms, dressing rooms, and spas. In some cases, sellers offer access to the data from 15 cameras for 800,000 VND (about 42 SGD), advertising “hundreds of thousands of options,” which indicates that a large number of cameras have been compromised and remotely controlled without consent.

Vietnam’s Heavy Reliance on Imported Cameras from China

Data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs reveals that in the past five years, the country has imported more than 16 million surveillance cameras, with 96.3% of these devices originating from Chinese brands, including Hikvision, Dahua, and Xiaomi. On average, the Vietnamese market imports 3.2 million cameras annually, and by 2025, the number of installed cameras is expected to exceed 20 million. This would mean one camera for every five citizens in Vietnam.

However, many of these imported cameras fail to meet the required high-tech security standards. Most of them do not receive regular security updates or antivirus protection, making them easy targets for hackers. Experts have pointed out that, despite operating like computers, surveillance cameras often lack the necessary protective measures. As a result, hackers can gain control of these devices, using them to steal private information for blackmail purposes or even create deepfake videos.

Government’s Proactive Response to Strengthen Regulation

In response to the growing security threats posed by surveillance cameras, Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has drafted the “National Technical Regulation on Basic Information Security Requirements for Surveillance Cameras.” This draft, currently open for public consultation, is expected to be officially issued later this year. The draft outlines a series of security management requirements designed to regulate the surveillance camera market in Vietnam.

Under the proposed regulations, surveillance cameras sold and used in Vietnam must meet strict technical and security standards. These measures include initializing with a unique default password, promptly managing and fixing security vulnerabilities, conducting regular system updates, safeguarding user data, and ensuring secure data deletion. The draft specifically highlights that manufacturers must release security patches within three days of detecting vulnerabilities and provide system updates within five days in the event of a malfunction.

Future Outlook and the Importance of Enhanced Security Measures

As of now, the Vietnamese surveillance camera market is valued at approximately $175 million, with Chinese brands such as Hikvision and Dahua accounting for 90% of the market revenue. With the increasing number of cameras in use and the rising security concerns, the Vietnamese government is expected to enforce stricter regulations on the technology and safety standards of surveillance cameras.

A significant portion of the cameras currently operating in Vietnam rely on servers located in China for data storage and transmission. This dependence on foreign servers exacerbates the security risks in the country. Therefore, the newly introduced regulations are likely to impose stringent controls on the cameras sold in Vietnam, ensuring that they comply with local technical and security standards.

Key Takeaways:

• The number of surveillance cameras in Vietnam is growing rapidly, with around 45% of them facing security risks that make them vulnerable to hacking.
• Vietnam’s surveillance camera market heavily relies on Chinese brands, with 96.3% of imported devices coming from China.
• The lack of adequate security protection in these cameras is leading to increasing incidents of private data leaks and unauthorized control by hackers.
• The Ministry of Information and Communications has drafted new regulations aimed at addressing these security issues by enhancing technical standards and management practices for surveillance cameras.
• With the introduction of these regulations, the Vietnamese camera market will see stricter oversight, which will improve security standards and reduce risks associated with data breaches and hacking.

Through these measures, the Vietnamese government aims to mitigate the security risks associated with surveillance cameras, safeguarding both public and private data. The regulatory changes are expected to have a lasting impact on the future development of the camera market in Vietnam.