HikVision being an approved vendor for the VA blows my mind. Also, both Avigilon and Genetec are capable platforms, but it's a waste of money swapping out Genetec to Avigilon. That's $$$ that could go to the veterans or improving VA security where it's actually needed.
Agreed, but if the VA has Hik as an approved vendor, that would cause issues with the Genetec software. Genetec doesn't support Hikvision products, and if you're looking for a specific function from a Hik unit, you better hope it's available through ONVIF or you're out of luck. I also am going to assume that if Hik is approved, they are also likely a very large percentage of the installment. Each item would need a restricted license to work on Genetec. So, the added cost of a restricted license for the cameras, with diminished capabilities, and not "technically" allowed to be certified as ONVIF compliant, means they think switching to Avigilon in the long-term is more appealing than dealing with Genetec? Maybe.
Restricted licenses are not available to buy anymore at Genetec.The only way to get an HIK or Dahua stream is to grab the RTSP stream, but you loose VMD or any other config/integration.
Bureaucracies cannot make appropriate changes (canceling Hik) in a reasonable period of time, even under extreme circumstances. It's amazingly inefficient.
Alternately, the VA will be in the green after about 18-24 months with the annual software maintenance costs eliminated with Avigilon.
There is no evidence that the VA is using Hikvision at this time.
Per a discussion with a lawyer who has a background in US Government vendor compliance and auditing, physical security purchases will involve other Departments (GSA, DHS, others) which help the VA make sure security purchases fall within proper compliance.
The saving on annual SMA’s alone would provide a return on investment that would far outweigh any saving by not doing so.
plus if HIK (not condoning the use of) cams are used they won’t have to pay additional licensing, and subsequent larger sma’s.
I think both Genetec and Avigilon are top tier products each with its own use case, so not looking to bash either just looking to clear the air on cost savings as it can be had on either side, with either product.
Big fan of both companies and both product lines, and all the good folks that make the tech what it is.
I read the language cited in the IPVM article as them changing from Genetec to Avigilon prior to either being installed. 9 months for a contract of this size with a bureaucratic agency within the federal government isn't very long.
Another issue for the Fed Government are all the different areas/departments with some type of oversight or compliance that can impact a deployment. In addition to being on this list, any vendor operating software in the VA's environment these days will find out that waivers are no longer being issued for FIPS compliance. I believe both Milestone and Avigilon have FIPS 140-2 compliant capabilities (also depends on how it is deployed), but Genetec while meeting FIPS with their access control, looks to be behind in VMS software.
Just concluded a relatively small (15 camera) project for VA (bid project). Older analog cameras were replaced with Avigilon cameras per bidspec. Avigilon software was already in place and had replaced old Pelco system.......
I’m Francis Lachance, Director for the Genetec video surveillance product group. I want to confirm that Security Center supports FIPS-compliant environments. Support was introduced in version 5.8.1 in 2019, which added support for FIPS certified encryption libraries. From a video surveillance perspective, FIPS compliance requires the use of FIPS-enabled infrastructure. As long as Windows is running in FIPS 140-2 approved mode, Security Center will comply.
This is in addition for our compliance with FIPS 201-2 for our access control system, Synergis.
You can see the VA is being proactive by issuing a Prohibited ruling against the Hikvision IVMS-4200 Client being installed on a VA Network. As of 11/18/21
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Comments (18)
Undisclosed End User #1
The power of Moto with the Government is hard to break, they are entrenched for along time now in their other verticals so this only seems natural.
Side note, lowest bidder does not always mean the best solution except to the Director of Procurement.
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Undisclosed #2
HikVision being an approved vendor for the VA blows my mind. Also, both Avigilon and Genetec are capable platforms, but it's a waste of money swapping out Genetec to Avigilon. That's $$$ that could go to the veterans or improving VA security where it's actually needed.
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Undisclosed #5
maybe Genetec hasn't pursued approved vendor status with the VA because Hikvision is already an approved vendor?
but if this is the case, why wouldn't they just say that?
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Undisclosed Manufacturer #8
Another issue for the Fed Government are all the different areas/departments with some type of oversight or compliance that can impact a deployment. In addition to being on this list, any vendor operating software in the VA's environment these days will find out that waivers are no longer being issued for FIPS compliance. I believe both Milestone and Avigilon have FIPS 140-2 compliant capabilities (also depends on how it is deployed), but Genetec while meeting FIPS with their access control, looks to be behind in VMS software.
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Undisclosed Integrator #9
Just concluded a relatively small (15 camera) project for VA (bid project). Older analog cameras were replaced with Avigilon cameras per bidspec. Avigilon software was already in place and had replaced old Pelco system.......
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Francis Lachance
Hi UM8,
I’m Francis Lachance, Director for the Genetec video surveillance product group. I want to confirm that Security Center supports FIPS-compliant environments. Support was introduced in version 5.8.1 in 2019, which added support for FIPS certified encryption libraries. From a video surveillance perspective, FIPS compliance requires the use of FIPS-enabled infrastructure. As long as Windows is running in FIPS 140-2 approved mode, Security Center will comply.
This is in addition for our compliance with FIPS 201-2 for our access control system, Synergis.
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Ryan Karpilo
You can see the VA is being proactive by issuing a Prohibited ruling against the Hikvision IVMS-4200 Client being installed on a VA Network. As of 11/18/21
IVMS-4200 Client - Prohibited. This entry is not (currently) permitted to be used under any circumstances.
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