Kochi: Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) has been made mandatory for CCTV cameras to ensure cybersecurity standards, quality, and safety. It may be noted that obtaining STQC is now necessary to secure the BIS mark.

Most companies that manufacture and sell in India rely on foreign firms for chips, processors, and software. Footage from such network-connected CCTVs is stored on servers run by foreign companies.

There is now a system to view live footage on mobile phones using an app. This includes footage of important places, roads, homes, individuals, and other strategic locations, along with visuals of lakhs of people. The aim of STQC is to prevent data leaks, even if there are attempts to achieve it by modifying software.

Licences will only be issued once authorities ensure there are no loopholes that allow footage from India to reach foreign servers. The Indian Railways introduced standards for CCTVs in 2019. The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has now issued an order making STQC mandatory under the revised Electronics and Information Technology Goods Order.

Checks on software and hardware

The software and hardware of CCTV systems will be checked for certification. The hardware design, ports used, and their functions will be reviewed. The rule applies to all CCTV cameras manufactured, imported, or sold in India. Sellers must also verify STQC certification numbers and BIS registrations. Companies without licences will be barred from government tenders.

Security and vigilance

More than 80 per cent of product modules are imported from China and assembled locally. Although hundreds of companies operate this way, only a handful have been certified under the revised standards. The new move is expected to boost domestic production.