Safety is a leading concern for any homeowner. Thankfully, new technologies make it easier than ever to improve your home security. The Internet of Things (IoT) enables you to do so while controlling things on your own.
Smart home gadgets like virtual assistants and smart lights are some of the most familiar examples of the IoT, but it goes further. Devices like video doorbells, smart motion sensors, and connected cameras give you more control over what goes on in your house, even when you’re not there. Here’s a closer look at how these IoT technologies make it easier to keep an eye on your home security.
Remote Accessibility
One of the biggest advantages of IoT for home security is that you can access these devices remotely. Many smart cameras and similar gadgets have companion apps that let you control them from your phone. That way, you can adjust their settings, review footage, or activate them even while you’re on vacation.
Most break-ins happen in the morning or mid-afternoon when you’re more likely to be away at work. Even if nothing happens while you’re gone, the thought of it being outside your control can be troubling and distracting. Being able to view live camera feeds from your phone can offer some peace of mind.
Conventional home security systems may provide the same security but not the same transparency. The IoT gives you complete control and visibility over what your cameras and sensors are detecting in the moment.
“Using IoT systems gives you full control and visibility over what your cameras and sensors are detecting in the moment.”
Automatic Alerts
Similarly, IoT devices also offer real-time remote alerts. A traditional motion sensor may make noise or call the police when it detects something. That may stop a burglary, but you may not find out about it until later. A smart sensor, by contrast, can message you the instant it happens.
Many IoT-connected security cameras and video doorbells have this feature. They’ll alert your phone when they detect nearby movement and give you a live feed of their recording. That way, you can see for yourself if it’s something to worry about or just a squirrel running through your yard.
These real-time alerts enable faster responses, letting you do what you need as soon as possible. They also remove the burden of regular monitoring. You don’t have to check your phone every few minutes if the system notifies you when something suspicious happens.
One Point of Access
Another advantage of IoT is that it makes securing your home more convenient. Just as wearables in schools improve safety while letting students get into their lockers faster, IoT security makes it easier to monitor everything.
Even if different smart devices have separate dedicated apps, many are compatible with the same smart home platform. This compatibility lets you access them from your smart home hub or its app instead of switching between programs. That way, you can see everything you need in one place.
Being able to control everything from one point of access means you can see and respond to issues faster. This ease of use can take some stress off home security monitoring.
“Being able to control everything from one point of access means you can see and respond to issues faster.”
Complete Customizability
The IoT also gives you more options for securing your home. More conventional security services typically come in a few packages, but these often entail contracts and may not meet your specific needs. A basic package may not secure what you want, but the next tier could be too expensive. IoT alternatives offer more freedom.
You can mix and match IoT devices as you choose, giving you everything you need and nothing you don’t. You may want just a doorbell camera, as the front door is the most common break-in site for burglars, or you may want sensors and cameras across the property. The IoT lets you meet either need without compromising on cost or features.
This customizability helps manage costs. When home security is in your own hands, you can avoid paying for features you don’t need or sacrificing ones you want for a cheaper bill.
“You can mix and match IoT devices as you choose, giving you everything you need and nothing you don’t.”
Making the Most of IoT Home Security
It takes some careful consideration if you want to experience these benefits to their full extent. Here’s a look at a few steps to make the most of IoT home security.
One of the most important things is to look for IoT devices that use the same smart home platform. You can choose from four major standards today: Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. A unified standard will be more available in 2023, but for now, it’s safest to choose devices that all work with one of these to ensure compatibility.
It’s also important to protect your IoT devices. Change their default passwords to something stronger, enable multifactor authentication (MFA) if available, and turn on encryption if your gadgets offer it. You should also enable encryption on your Wi-Fi router and consider running IoT devices on a different network than everything else.
The IoT Makes Home Security Easier
The IoT is one of the most revolutionary innovations for homeowners in recent history. When you know what this technology has to offer, you can use it to take more control over your home security.
You can stay safe without the IoT, but these devices make home security easier than ever.
