For Louisiana security and property protection installers, choosing the right equipment has always meant balancing performance, reliability, and cost. Now, federal national security regulations are adding another important consideration: who manufactures the equipment, where its components originate, and whether the products are legally authorized for sale in the United States.  The Secure Equipment Act of 2021, signed into law on November 11, 2021, directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prevent the authorization of certain communications and surveillance equipment considered a national security risk. Although the law is not new, FCC actions in 2025 and 2026 have significantly expanded its practical impact on manufacturers, distributors, and security integrators.

The restrictions focus on equipment associated with companies including Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, Dahua, and Hytera, along with certain subsidiaries and affiliates. These manufacturers have supplied telecommunications, video surveillance, and security-related products used throughout the industry. However, the restrictions are not identical for every company or product. For example, the Covered List identifies specific uses involving public safety, government facilities, critical infrastructure surveillance, and national security for certain Hikvision, Dahua, and Hytera equipment.

For Louisiana installers, the biggest concern is not simply whether a camera or security device works. It is whether the equipment can legally be imported, marketed, sold, or included in a project subject to federal purchasing restrictions.

In July 2026, the FCC took another significant step by prohibiting new equipment authorizations for certain devices containing logic-bearing hardware components manufactured by companies on its Covered List. This rule, effective October 13, 2026, addresses situations in which restricted technology could be incorporated into products sold under another manufacturer's name. The FCC did not extend this particular component restriction to all software, firmware, or components, and the rule applies prospectively rather than automatically invalidating previously authorized equipment.



The FCC also moved in 2026 to prohibit continued importation and marketing of covered equipment that had received authorization before the original restrictions, including equipment added to the Covered List in 2024 or earlier. This creates potential inventory and purchasing concerns for dealers who have traditionally relied on affected product lines.

For companies installing cameras, access control systems, network-connected security equipment, and integrated protection systems, these developments make product verification increasingly important. Installers should review the FCC Covered List, confirm equipment authorization status, ask distributors about manufacturer affiliations and restricted components, and document their purchasing decisions. An FCC identification number alone should not be treated as proof that a product is suitable for every project or federal contract.

Louisiana companies serving federal facilities or working as federal contractors face additional responsibilities under Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. These provisions restrict federal agencies from purchasing certain covered equipment and services and generally prohibit contracting with businesses that use specified equipment or services, subject to statutory exceptions. The restrictions can therefore extend beyond the equipment being installed for the government to technology used within the contractor's own business.

Importantly, the SECURE Act does not automatically require every Louisiana homeowner or business to remove an existing camera system, nor does it impose a blanket prohibition on all foreign-manufactured security equipment. The legal requirements depend on the equipment, its authorization status, how it is marketed, and whether federal contracting or other restrictions apply.

For LLSSA members, the practical message is clear: equipment compliance must become part of the purchasing and project-planning process. Review existing inventory, question unusually inexpensive or unfamiliar product brands, obtain written compliance information from suppliers, and verify specifications before promising equipment to customers. Companies involved in government projects should also review contract requirements before bidding.

The security industry is built on trust. Customers rely on Louisiana installers not only to protect their property but also to recommend dependable, legally compliant technology. Staying informed about the SECURE Act and evolving FCC restrictions helps protect that trust, reduce business liability, and prevent costly equipment substitutions or project delay.

Sources and additional guidance:

The following primary sources provide the legal foundation and current regulatory guidance for this article:

1. Secure Equipment Act of 2021 — Public Law 117-55. The original federal legislation.
2. FCC Equipment Authorization Security Rules (2022). Explains the initial equipment restrictions and manufacturers covered.
3. FCC Importation and Marketing Restrictions (2026). The July 16, 2026 restrictions on previously authorized covered equipment, including limitations and exceptions.
4. FCC Third Report and Order (2026). Addresses restricted components, equipment certification, marketing, and critical infrastructure.
5. U.S. Government Accountability Office — September 2026 Report. Reviews federal contractor compliance with foreign-sourced equipment restrictions.

Important clarification for members: The FCC's July 2026 order expressly permits continued operation of legally purchased, previously authorized equipment. It does not provide a general exemption allowing dealers to continue selling restricted inventory or replacement equipment.