Hikvision has opened a new Source Code Transparency Center (SCTC) in California in an effort to demonstrate the manufacturer’s commitment to product security and transparency.
At the first stage, the center enables government agencies in the United States and Canada to review the source code for a wide array of select IP cameras and NVRs sold by Hikvision.
Interested parties wanting to initiate a request for access to the SCTC can contact a member of the Hikvision sales team. A staffer will then work with individuals to schedule an appointment to visit the center, located at the company’s U.S.-based headquarters, as well as provide the required nondisclosure agreement for signature.
Alex Asnovich, Senior Director, Corporate Marketing, Hikvision North America, said much deliberation went into the decision to open what the company bills as the first facility of its kind in the security industry and potentially risk losing competitive advantages. “This is challenging because we want to be transparent, however, source code is confidential, intellectual property. A lot of discussion and planning went into deciding how to achieve a satisfactory level of transparency while still keeping control of our intellectual property,” he said.
In an announcement, Chuck Davis, director of cybersecurity for Hikvision North America, said Hikvision is committed to developing products and solutions that conform to the highest security standards. “By opening our source code for review, we continue to demonstrate Hikvision’s commitment to product security and transparency,” he commented.
