Subscriber Discussion

EVERYONE With Any Exposure To This Industry Is Aware Hikvision Is Controlled And Owned By The Chinese Communist Government

GS
Gerald Spradlin
Dec 08, 2017

Just returned from a two week trip to China. Of course we flew to Hangzhou as well.
Truly, EVERYONE with any exposure to this industry is aware Hik is controlled and owned by the Chinese Communist Government. Every manufacturer in China aware and they also verbalize it frequently.

It's late so i'll keep it short.
EVERY CCTV distributor, re-seller, installer, online purveyor can sell Hik products. There are no barriers to entry with Hik and the others. So you are not "special" or unique if selling Hik. You are simply spreading a disease.

Any American marketing and selling Hikvision has crossed an ethics line that will likely sometime in the future cause real damage to their reputation. It is refreshing to hear so many firms refusing to cooperate with Hik these days based on their moral compass.
WE CAN ALL sell it, yet more and more refuse due to integrity standards. 

For those still supporting Hik, making a quick buck on Hik, "enough already" with the excuses. If its OK to sell a Chinese government owned product, then why are YOU NOT disclosing this key fact in your marketing material? Why? because you know your sales would go to 0.00 if your customers knew the truth.

You can end your Hik addiction.
Its so easy. 
Offer Hik and a competing brand simultaneously.
Customer inquires, use that opportunity to sell your other brand after advising them
Hik is owned by the communist China government. You are indeed using their brand awareness to build someone else, to grow a more transparent manufacturer, to grow your future.  That's called "justice".

 

NOTICE: This comment was moved from an existing discussion: Hikvision Chinese Government Owner CETHIK Exposed

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 08, 2017
IPVMU Certified

...You are simply spreading a disease...

Dahua is fine though?  Just asking because Hik and Dahua are similar in many ways, but Dahua is not owned by the government per se.

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Terry Dunlap
Dec 13, 2017

While Hik is partially owned by the Chinese government, there has been no evidence presented -- to my knowledge -- revealing hard-coded user names and passwords or the exfil of data from networks like those discovered in Dahua. I am not a seller of cameras, but our firm conducts extensive firmware evaluations for coding insecurities as well as back door accounts whether left by accident or placed there on purpose.

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MC
Marty Calhoun
Dec 08, 2017
IPVMU Certified

What a two bit chump. You are offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit China, dine on Hikvisions nickel, sleep in a first class Hotel and come back to the states and take a 'cheap pot-shot' to demoralize other legitimate dealers that already know more than you. No one made you go, you were obviously 'wrongfully' accepted. Did you make these complaints known to Chris Zenaty while you were there? I bet not cause he would rightfully beat your ass #1 and let you catch your own flight back!

I have been there, you were treated with decency and respect the whole time.Its one thing to not care for Hikvision but it is entirely another to accept the kindness of Jeffery He and go on that trip and come back with such remarks.

Unprofessional and Uncalled for.

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 08, 2017
IPVMU Certified

...he would rightfully beat your ass #1 and let you catch your own flight back!

I have been there, you were treated with decency and respect the whole time...

Right up until the respectful and righteous ass-whippin’, that is.

 

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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
Dec 08, 2017

Why do you automatically assume he went on Hik’s trip?

Even if he did, they do a full court press on people to fill those rosters and get people to China. Many take the free trip that requires no commitment. 

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Undisclosed Integrator #3
Dec 08, 2017

Oh, now you say you went there.  

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 08, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Yeah, apparently he forgot the “once in a lifetime” experience.

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Robert Shih
Dec 13, 2017
Independent

That's a pretty big contradiction there...

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Undisclosed #5
Dec 08, 2017

Reading comprehension breaks down quickly when you allow self-righteous rage to filter it's way into the equation...

Based on the OP I read, I don't think he went to China as a guest of HIK - as you did.

so... you sticking with two bit chump?

I know he trashed your vendor, but the fact that he didn't ride the Hik Express to China - as you did - should at least move him up to one bit. (or would that be three bit?)

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Undisclosed Integrator #10
Dec 11, 2017

I would be less worried about an ass beating and more worried about a further 6 months of re-education at one of China’s first class facilities.

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Undisclosed Integrator #11
Dec 12, 2017

Is this why you’re so loyal to Hik? They send you on nice trips to China?  Or is because they pad your pocket with high margins for a product you know to be a cyber liability?  After all the articles, exposures, and gaping issues, you still are unwaveringly loyal. I just don’t understand how this can be. 

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Undisclosed Integrator #15
Dec 13, 2017

So ummmm... Gerald goes to China a minimum of twice a year, if I remember correctly... hardly once in a lifetime. Known him for a long time. Pretty straight shooter. I would be genuinely surprised if in all those years any of the manufacturers paid his way.

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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #4
Dec 08, 2017

Great info.

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Undisclosed Integrator #6
Dec 08, 2017

Murder on the Orient Express won't hold a camera to the drama this thread will hold.

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Undisclosed Integrator #6
Dec 08, 2017

Maybe I mean't candle instead of camera but had a Freudian slip...

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Undisclosed Integrator #7
Dec 08, 2017

There's a lot of anger there.  You might want to speak to a professional about that.  Speaking of uncalled for?  Must be a Communist sympathizer?  You seem to know them all personally which is somewhat odd?  I switched to other products but wouldn't snub somebody that does since everybody is out to make a buck. I just decided to give my money to somebody else and my customers have no problem spending a couple extra bucks on other products after they are educated on what the other guy is giving them.  I actually feel sorry for Mr Calhoun.  With that said though I would take their money to send me on a trip to China any day and then come back, give it back to somebody else and fell the same way as Mr. Spradlin.  

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UE
Undisclosed End User #8
Dec 08, 2017

Gerald, thank you for sharing your observations. Totally called for and not sure why a bully man-boy called you unprofessional.  

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Undisclosed #9
Dec 09, 2017

Comrade Marty needs to go into his safe place.

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Undisclosed Integrator #6
Dec 12, 2017

"It's easier to explain price once than to apologize for quality forever. " Zig Ziglar

Quality of Actual Security versus perceived value of low price...

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Undisclosed #12
Dec 12, 2017

Did you guys wear your MAGA hats to China?

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Undisclosed Integrator #6
Dec 12, 2017

Undisclosed #12: "Is that you, Judas?" 

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 12, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Did you guys wear your MAGA hats to China?

No, it’s cheaper to buy them over there and wear them back...

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Matthew Davis
Dec 12, 2017

John, can you start a discussion board for pre-school kids? This is ridiculous!

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Undisclosed Integrator #10
Dec 13, 2017

This is ridiculous!

It is both ridiculous and hilarious.  Threads de-evolve like this every once in a while.  I think it's best this one be allowed to linger lest it spread to other threads.

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Undisclosed Integrator #13
Dec 12, 2017

I don't subscribe to IPVM to be lectured about good vs. evil.    I wish IPVM were more like Consumer Reports.  Report the facts, give us your opinion, and keep the garbage smack talk away.

 

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Undisclosed End User #8
Dec 12, 2017

This is the Discussion forum and not one IPVM employee has commented on this thread. I suspect not all content is applicable or interesting to everyone. 

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Undisclosed Integrator #13
Dec 12, 2017

Yes, I understand and appreciate that.  

JH
John Honovich
Dec 12, 2017
IPVM

keep the garbage smack talk away

#13, thanks for the feedback. As #8 mentioned, IPVM has not commented on this thread so far. I am commenting now since you raised a reasonable question about what is being posted on IPVM.

I am not happy about the ad hominem remarks made (e.g., to choose one from both sides - 'two bit chump', 'Comrade Marty'). I would encourage all sides to focus more on facts and arguments about issues.

That said, I am reluctant to delete things nor censor people's opinions. I also think the emotions you are seeing here are a painful but important look into where things are in the industry right now.

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Undisclosed Integrator #10
Dec 13, 2017

 I also think the emotions you are seeing here are a painful but important look into where things are in the industry right now.

Truly a fascinating thread even if it has deviated from the original content.  The industry is becoming more polarized than even with the old vintage IP vs. Analog debates a decade or so.  It almost mirrors the US political system polarization. 

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Undisclosed #14
Dec 12, 2017

I appreciate all points of view but personal attacks are not necessary. Besides, you never know who you will be working in this business.

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 13, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Besides, you never know who you will be working in this business.

With 15 Undiscloseds so far, it may be the guy in the next cubicle.

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JC
Jason Choy
Dec 13, 2017
Welcome Gate - Global

In the UK, a lot of things are owned by sovereign states, from property to technology companies.

 

The fact that HIK is owned by China is neither here or there for me.

 

Ultimately it's our job as specialists to present the facts to our clients, give them the options and alternatives to choose and help guide them towards the right descision, based on their needs and risk profile.

 

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James Brooks
Dec 13, 2017

But that's the point State owned industry doesn't make for good business, because politics are involved in the decision making.

And in the U.K the current Govt. stance is for privatization not nationalization. 

When someone shows me a socialist country where this works and does suffer 3rd world living conditions, feel free to correct me.

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Tim Pickles
Dec 13, 2017
Direct Security

Just before I comment further - are you the same individual posting the comments here:

https://disqus.com/by/geraldspradlin/

Its good to understand the viewpoint you are offering your comments from.

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 13, 2017
IPVMU Certified

https://disqus.com/by/geraldspradlin/

Its good to understand the viewpoint you are offering your comments from.

Tim, you may have missed it above, but John just asked if we could actually cut down on the ad homs and focus on the arguments at hand.

Needless to say,  linking to the purported profile and posts of the OP on some external site, in an effort to ‘understand’ his ‘viewpoint’ is but a thinly disguised attempt to label him.

 

JH
John Honovich
Dec 13, 2017
IPVM

I think Tim's link to those comments is appropriate (assuming that is this Gerald's comments which at a glance appears to be). Many of the comments in that link are about doing business with China companies which is germane. 

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 13, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I think Tim's link to those comments is appropriate...

Ok then, apologies Tim :)

Too bad because getting up on that soapbox was a blast!

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Tim Pickles
Dec 13, 2017
Direct Security

I was struggling to see the technical merit in the authors article. Upon some basic research into his previous on-line posts, it became apparent that there is no technical merit and the article is an extension of the authors political views and extremely critical (and offensive) comments regarding China.

 

JH
John Honovich
Dec 13, 2017
IPVM

struggling to see the technical merit in the authors

Tim, what 'technical' issues are you referring to? Because Gerald's point is clearly not about technology, it's about government ownership and business practices, to quote him from above:

EVERYONE with any exposure to this industry is aware Hik is controlled and owned by the Chinese Communist Government. Every manufacturer in China aware and they also verbalize it frequently.

EVERY CCTV distributor, re-seller, installer, online purveyor can sell Hik products. There are no barriers to entry with Hik and the others. So you are not "special" or unique if selling Hik

I recognize you disagree with his conclusions, which is perfectly reasonable, but do you have any of your own 'technical elements' / facts to counter his statements?

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Undisclosed #1
Dec 13, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Upon some basic research into his previous on-line posts, it became apparent that there is no technical merit and the article is an extension of the authors political views and extremely critical (and offensive) comments regarding China.

Thank you for the ‘research’.  

For a second there I was afraid you were just going use your general assessment of his Disqus posts in a fact-free condemnation to disparage and dismisse the OP.

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David Warren
Dec 13, 2017
Security Network Advisors LLC

I have not read all the comments, but I'm very confused on how a 2 week trip to China provided enough evidence to accuse anyone who sells HIK of crossing an "ethical line?"

Was this trip made specifically to find out the truth on HIK like an unbiased reporter, or was this an epiphany while hiking the Great Wall? Did you get a chance to actually visit their offices and factory town? 

All I see here is a rant with no substance to back up claims. I go to China ever 6-8 weeks for years. I've yet to come to the same conclusion your 2-week visit to China has provided. If you have a smoking gun, we'd sure all love to see what you found...

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