A routine procurement made by the Romanian military on January 16 for surveillance equipment manufactured in China has sparked concerns regarding national security implications.
Valued at under $1,000, an employee of the Romanian Defense Ministry purchased an eight-port switch and two surveillance cameras from Hikvision, a Chinese company with purported ties to the Chinese military. Notably, both the United States and Britain have blacklisted Hikvision due to identified data and security vulnerabilities.
Although there is currently no evidence of breaches at the Deveselu military base, an investigation by RFE/RL's Romanian Service revealed that Hikvision and Dahua, another Chinese company partly owned by the government, supply surveillance equipment to at least 28 military facilities and numerous other public institutions involved in national security across Romania.
While Romanian authorities assert that the equipment is used in closed-circuit systems without internet connectivity, experts argue that vulnerabilities in firmware could still pose risks, enabling remote access, data interception, and network attacks. Despite these concerns, Romania does not impose restrictions on the use of Hikvision or Dahua equipment, unlike some NATO allies such as the United States and Britain.
Both Hikvision and Dahua refute allegations of being security risks and claim to promptly address vulnerabilities. However, critics like Romanian parliament member Catalin Tenita argue that existing legislation could justify banning these companies' products.
The Romanian Defense Ministry maintains that its surveillance systems are secure, emphasizing strict testing and evaluation procedures. Similarly, the Deveselu Naval Facility, operated by U.S. forces, declined to comment on Romanian military purchases but emphasized their commitment to regional security.
NATO, while not formally banning third-country equipment, encourages vigilance against potential security risks. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned against reliance on Chinese technology in critical infrastructure, echoing concerns about Hikvision and Dahua's involvement.
Despite assurances from Romanian authorities, the history of vulnerabilities associated with Hikvision and Dahua equipment raises concerns among experts. Romanian institutions, including law enforcement and intelligence agencies, defend their procurement decisions, citing compliance with national legislation and technical specifications.
Some Romanian lawmakers, like Senator Adrian Trifan, advocate for further investigation and scrutiny into the prevalence of Hikvision and Dahua equipment in national security sites, underscoring the need for immediate clarification and review of procurement procedures.
