Almost a dozen Chinese-made surveillance cameras are set to be removed from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra over concerns the devices could be used for spying.
Newly appointed Australian War Memorial chair Kim Beazley said the institution was acting out of "an abundance of caution" in its decision to remove the cameras.
The surveillance equipment in question was manufactured by Hikvision, which is partly owned by the Chinese government, and is one of the world's largest suppliers of CCTV cameras.
In a similar move late last year, the UK government restricted its use of Hikvision cameras at government sites.
Five of the memorial's 11 Hikvision cameras are set to be removed by the end of the month, while the remainder will be stripped from the institution next year.
Mr Beazley said the cameras represented a "small minority" of the roughly 200 on-site.
He said the decision to remove the devices reflected the need for caution in a changing world
"It's not just in cameras … you're pretty careful now with pretty well all your electronics," Mr Beazley added.
"It's not because we've had any notice of anything untoward but it's an abundance of caution."
He said the Hikvision cameras were not positioned inside the memorial and therefore were not filming any significant historical exhibits.
"If you went around the war memorial, if it wasn't properly protected, you could pick up useful material, but we do properly protect it," he said.
Cameras likely chosen to save costs: opposition
Federal opposition cybersecurity spokesman James Paterson said he was pleased the cameras were being removed after he raised concerns that they could be used as spyware.
"The War Memorial is to be commended, in a sense, that they recognise that they have these devices and that they should be removed," Senator Paterson said.
"That is appropriate recognition of the national security risk they pose."
He said he suspected the cameras were chosen for affordability.
"They have assistance from the Chinese government, including concessional loans and subsidies, and that does allow them sometimes to outcompete their western competitors," Mr Paterson said.
'That's a big no-no'
Canberra commercial security camera installer Ofir Abotbol said Hikvision cameras have dominated the market because they provide "value" with free software.
"And when it comes to the domestic market, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them," Mr Abotbol said.
"But in saying that, I wouldn't install Hikvision in every location, because, in my opinion, when it comes to national security we need to be extremely selective.
"If [the cameras] are connected to the main network, let's say, where there is secret information, that's a big no-no.
"You have to segregate the CCTV system from the standard network.
"So, it doesn't really matter whether it's an American or Chinese CCTV system, I would just never install them on the same network [that carries other information]."
Mr Abotbol said he has been in the industry for two decades but had recently become concerned that some installers may not be taking appropriate steps.
"You find yourself in an industry with lots of professionals and lots of cowboys," he said.
"And when cowboys install a security system and they don't set it up properly and segregate it from the rest of the network or apply strong passwords, then you're getting vulnerabilities and companies that can potentially take advantage."
