Administered under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and aligned with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compulsory registration framework, this move signals a shift toward stronger security assurance, standardisation, and long-term trust in surveillance infrastructure. While the direction is clear, the transition phase carries meaningful implications for global enterprises and system integrators executing large-scale projects across India.

At Northland Controls India, this impact is most visible across Global Capability Centres (GCCs), multinational corporate offices, and data centres, environments built on globally standardised security architectures and uniform governance models.

The regulatory backdrop in brief

To obtain STQC certification, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) must submit extensive technical, security, and compliance documentation and complete testing under the applicable STQC scheme. A central requirement is the Technical Construction File (TCF), which includes hardware and firmware architecture, bill of materials for critical components, manufacturing and supply-chain details, secure boot implementation, and secure firmware update mechanisms, among other controls.

STQC certification is model-specific and firmware-specific. Certifications are issued in phases rather than across entire portfolios and are typically valid for three years, subject to no material changes. Any hardware or firmware modification may trigger re-evaluation.

What it means for OEMs. And why it is challenging

STQC certification requires deep technical disclosure, particularly through the TCF. Many global OEMs are understandably cautious about sharing detailed firmware architecture, security design logic, and component-level transparency. These concerns are less about patent ownership and more about protecting intellectual property and internal security design confidentiality.

This challenge is compounded by the model- and firmware-specific nature of certification. For Tier-1 OEMs managing hundreds of active SKUs, the process becomes one of prioritisation and phased submissions rather than rapid, portfolio-wide approvals.

Why this matters for Global enterprises

Northland Controls works predominantly with multinational clients that standardise on Tier-1 CCTV platforms such as Axis, Bosch, Honeywell, and Avigilon. These platforms are selected not only for image quality, but also for cybersecurity maturity, interoperability with global video management systems, and predictable lifecycle support across regions.

India is one of the world’s largest GCC hubs, with industry estimates suggesting that 67% of the Fortune Global 30 and more than 170 Fortune Global 500 companies operate GCCs in India, with approximately 30–40 new GCCs added annually. These facilities are designed to mirror global security standards rather than adopt localised or interim solutions. As a result, enterprises are reluctant to substitute globally approved platforms with alternatives that could disrupt long-term governance and standardisation.

Impact on Enterprises and End users

The implementation of STQC-linked certification has led many customers to prioritise operational areas and high-risk zones. As a result, lower-risk and auxiliary areas, such as parts of perimeters, parking lots, peripheral corridors, non-critical yards, and common areas, are often temporarily deprioritised, creating uneven surveillance coverage.

To compensate, some customers are increasing physical security guard deployment as an interim measure. While this ensures basic coverage, it represents a departure from established operating models built around technology-led, layered security. This shift increases operating costs, fatigue risk, and variability in threat detection, particularly over extended periods.

STQC has also introduced planning and execution uncertainty for customers with large, multi-site deployments. Capital expenditure is being deferred, phased rollouts are re-sequenced, and previously standardised specifications are revisited. Customers are increasingly forced into short-term tactical decisions rather than long-term optimised surveillance architectures, impacting scalability and ROI.

Additionally, customers face pressure on compliance alignment. Balancing global OEM preferences with India-specific certification requirements has become complex, often requiring temporary design compromises, dual-vendor strategies, or camera-ready infrastructure that delays full surveillance effectiveness.

What is happening on projects today

During this transition period, leading global CCTV manufacturers are still progressing through STQC certification across their portfolios. Rather than altering standards, clients are adapting execution strategies.

A common approach has been to decouple CCTV deployment from the rest of the build. Projects continue with access control, fire detection, HVAC, electrical systems, network infrastructure, and command-centre readiness, while camera deployment is temporarily deferred.

Although a limited number of STQC-approved camera models are available (mostly - Made in India Models), adoption has been cautious. Some clients have evaluated these options, but approvals remain limited. The prevailing view is that Tier-1 OEMs will complete certification in phases, and that waiting for certified versions of globally approved models is preferable to introducing interim platforms that may later require replacement.

Impact on design, cost, and timelines

This holding pattern has tangible consequences. Design flexibility is constrained as clients insist on globally standardised platforms that are still under certification. Budgeting and commercial planning are affected by uncertainty around availability, pricing, and delivery timelines. Tendering and contractual commitments become more complex due to certification-linked dependencies. Re-engineering architectures or approving substitutes is generally avoided to prevent long-term fragmentation across global sites.

These challenges are not driven by resistance to compliance, but by the need to preserve consistency, cybersecurity posture, and lifecycle alignment across multinational portfolios.

The integrator’s role during the transition

For global system integrators like Northland Controls, this transition demands disciplined execution governance and informed leadership. The focus is on sequencing complex projects to sustain momentum while preserving alignment with regulatory intent and global client standards. Integrators must act as stabilising partners, helping clients navigate uncertainty without compromising security outcomes or long-term platform integrity.

In practical terms, this involves designing facilities that are fully camera-ready, from network capacity and storage architecture to mounting infrastructure and command-centre readiness, so that certified devices can be deployed with minimal disruption. It also requires structuring contracts and delivery models to account for certification-driven dependencies, mitigating commercial risk, and maintaining transparency on timelines and trade-offs.

Equally important is ecosystem coordination, including sustained engagement with OEMs on certification roadmaps, advising enterprises on phased commissioning strategies, and safeguarding interoperability across global security platforms. The objective is to ensure short-term regulatory transitions do not create long-term operational, cybersecurity, or lifecycle debt.

Looking ahead

As certified Tier-1 CCTV models enter the market, deployment momentum is expected to normalise. The current phase should be viewed as a transition window rather than a permanent constraint. It highlights the importance of coordination between manufacturers, enterprises, and integrators as regulatory frameworks evolve.

For organisations delivering and operating security-critical facilities, the priority remains maintaining strong security outcomes today while ensuring long-term compliance, consistency, and resilience. Navigating this balance effectively will define successful CCTV deployments in India over the coming year.