A 2017 study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that a burglary occurred in the United States every 22.6 seconds. This is why families need to do all they can to ensure that their homes are well-equipped for anything that may happen. It’s not about being led by fear or paranoia; it’s about being armed with information and tools that can help us protect our loved ones and belongings.
And homes don’t need a panic room either—after all, panic rooms will only be a waste of valuable space, and there are plenty of ways to fortify different rooms in your house. And most importantly, there is an endless stream of new technologies and tools that homeowners can invest in to ensure that their home is fortified, rendering a panic room useless. Here are the latest in home security systems that are worth investing in this 2021.
Burglar alarms
If you have not upgraded or repaired your alarm system in a while, now is a good time to make the necessary changes. A single-family alarm system can help deter burglars and thieves from robbing your home, thanks to systems that secure every entry point in your home. Gone are the days of using manual keys to secure your home or outdated technologies like alarm tape on windows.
These modern systems now have wireless sensors or hard-wired alarms that can provide not just security but also convenience and aesthetics. These systems work by communicating using sensors, and they have one control panel located in one convenient space. Every system is developed to do a helpful task if your property is breached. One example is the monitored security system, which instantly alerts the authorities during a home emergency.
Many of these systems also install smoke, carbon monoxide, and fire sensors, which can help protect you and your family from fire-related hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The internet of things (IoT)
The internet of things, simply referred to as IoT, is the billions of physical devices across the globe that are connected through the internet. These devices share and collect data, which allows for communicating without human intervention. This concept is now being used in home security and smart home technology. For example, a light bulb that can be switched on and off through one’s smartphone app is an IoT device. When it comes to home security, IoT allows all the cameras, locks, and other devices to communicate with each other to help make the home safer and more secure. These systems can be accessed and controlled through an app on your smartphone or any device you use. Some other features that the IoT can help connect include:
- Motion detectors, doorbell cameras, and smart locks
- Device monitoring and predictive maintenance
- Home sensors Smartphone-connected systems
- Comprehensive home automation
If you want to bring your home security to the 21st century, consider upgrading to smart technologies.
Cybersecurity and privacy
However, one of the downsides of smart homes is that since they are connected to the internet, they are also more vulnerable to hacking and digital crime. Your home can be invaded in more ways than one—criminals can try to invade your privacy through the internet. According to a study, 23 percent of homeowners hesitate to upgrade to smart technology due to privacy issues.
This is why when investing in new technologies for the home, we need to be sure that these new technologies are secure and will not compromise the safety of the home and its occupants. Some of these safeguards include the following:
- Permissions, which allow homeowners to control how their data is shared and used by integrating all the controls across their apps and devices. Users can deny permissions they deem too intrusive or risky. Permissions are usually set by default, so one of the first things homeowners need to do after their smart security is installed is to inspect the permission settings and edit as they see fit.
- Another security measure is secure access, which helps users observe basic security practices ensuring that their devices are shielded from homeowners intrusions. Passwords must be changed from the default one set by the home security companies, and multi-factor authentication must be set across the board. It’s another layer of protection and authentication for the homeowners, especially making it difficult for intruders who may know your username and password.
The Bottom Line
You need not rely on outdated technologies to secure your home. Explore modern tools and allow yourself to experience peaceful sleep at night, knowing you have the best safeguards available.
