Get Smart on Home Security
17 Jun 2020
The home security, access and monitoring sector has come a long way in recent years, but are the latest technologies right for you? We unlock the benefits and drawbacks of various solutions.
Going back a few decades, the best way to protect your home was by deadlocking the front door. Then basic security cameras and motion-sensing lights and alarm systems entered the mix – largely to deter people from breaking and entering in the first place. Now we’ve entered an era of smart home security, access and monitoring based on advanced sensors and wireless technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Is it time for you to get smart on home security? There are multiple factors and solutions to consider, and there’s no right or wrong answer. Ultimately, your choice of which smart home security setup – or whether to go with none at all – should come down to your type of property, your comfort and experience with technology, and how prepared you are to create a truly connected home and lifestyle for yourself and your family. Let’s take a closer look at some of the main options.
SMART HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS
For ultimate peace of mind, you may want to arm your home with a complete security system that connects to your smartphone or tablet. You can include just about any combination of indoor/outdoor surveillance cameras, alarm systems, door locks and other handy devices. Unlike traditional home security equipment, these “smart” devices let you monitor what’s happening at home from anywhere.
For example, if a built-in sensor detects a motion or sound at your property that triggers one of the alarms while you’re out shopping, playing golf or minding the grandkids, you’ll receive an alert via email or a push notification through the app on your phone. Within seconds you can then be checking the live footage from multiple security cameras back at your house.
DIY VS. PROFESSIONAL
There are pros and cons to both do-it-yourself (DIY) and professional smart home security setups. DIY systems are cheaper to install and maintain, plus they offer greater flexibility when configuring the settings to suit your personal requirements. Professional systems can be considerably more expensive, but on the flip side they offer the added assurances of smooth installation, ongoing guidance and in most cases a 24/7 monitoring service. High-end systems generally come with a user-friendly wall-mounted panel and touchscreen display for doing all the same things and more that you can do through the phone apps.
SMART DOOR LOCKS
For a (hands-free) touch of extra convenience in your everyday life, it’s worth looking into the wide range of smart door locks now available. Once installed, these devices connect wirelessly to your smartphone, letting you automatically lock or unlock your front door when leaving or approaching the house. You can also grant temporary home access to a nominated person such as a cleaner, house guest or family member by sharing an access code with time restrictions, so no more misplacing your keys or hiding a spare key under a pot plant. Many smart door lock systems provide a remote monitoring feature too, meaning you’ll always know who’s coming and going.
It should be said that some smart door locks have reportedly been “hacked” – either electronically compromised or physically disabled – by unscrupulous criminals. However, the technology in this area is always improving, and thanks to advanced encryption measures preventing would-be hackers from taking control of a system, the leading smart locks on the market have become much safer.
FINAL WORD
Whether you live in a house on a quiet street or an apartment in a busy building, it’s important to feel that your home is safe and secure. The latest technologies can provide the comfort, confidence and convenience you care about in retirement. At the same time, old-school approaches to guarding property still work well for the bulk of the population.
Our advice is to do some additional research and talk to a few “techxperts” before reaching a decision on smart home security. Until then, keep those doors deadlocked – and don’t forget your keys!
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