WASHINGTON (TNND) — According to a new bulletin released by the Department of Homeland Security, cameras made in China may be able to spy on U.S. infrastructure. Officials say the internet-connected cameras allow the Chinese government to conduct espionage or disrupt U.S. critical infrastructure.
David Reid, a cybersecurity expert at Cedarville University tells us, that right now the Department of Homeland Security is taking inventory. Looking at which products from overseas pose a threat.
“Where is it coming from? What does that look like and most important, can we trust what is going on?” Reid said.
What the department uncovered, is that thousands of internet-connected cameras made in China are giving the Chinese government the ability to spy on the U.S. or disrupt critical infrastructure.
“These things are used in water treatment plants. They’re used in traffic systems,” said Reid.
Reid says the cameras typically lack data encryption and security settings, making it easier to communicate with its manufacturer.
“I may not be concerned with what the camera is looking at, I may just simply need a pathway into the network,” Reid said.
Michael Nowatkowski, who specializes in cybersecurity at Augusta University says, tens of thousands of these Chinese-made cameras are connected to the networks of U.S. infrastructure.
“They may be designed with backdoors that allow remote connectivity into those cameras even without the knowledge of the owner,” Nowatkowski said.
But he believes this isn’t just limited to cameras. There are likely other types of devices just like this, which is why you need to be careful what you buy.
“Just be aware that some of those may be priced lower because they do have backdoors or additional access built into them,” said Nowatkowski.
The department says Chinese cyber actors have extensively targeted weak spots in Chinese cameras since at least 2020. For example in 2024, when cameras at a U.S. oil and natural gas firm communicated with Chinese servers.