UK consumers unimpressed with smart home security

Consumers’ key reasons for not investing in a smart home
Consumers’ key reasons for not investing in a smart home
Consumers’ key reasons for not investing in a smart home
Consumers’ key reasons for not investing in a smart home

There are now more than four million smart homes in the UK. However, though 66% of UK consumers agree smart home security is an appealing concept, a further 44% state they do not trust it; nor would install it in their family home.

Despite a recent survey proclaiming 60% of burglars avoid homes with technical, smart home security, the use of smart technology does beg the question – if homeowners can easily manage the security of their home by the swipe of a mobile device, who else can?

Gov.uk’s recent release ‘Crime Survey for England and Wales,’ claims 642,000 accounts of unauthorised access (hacking) to personal information took place in 2015-16. This proves that there is an existing, prominent threat to online data – easily exposed by smart devices, which often require the input of personal information.

In support of this, David Jacoby, senior security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, warns that many smart home products on the market today are “severely lacking” in proper security protection, leaving your home prone to an attack from criminals.

David Emm, security expert at Kaspersky, said: “Unlike traditional laptops and computers, which are usually protected with encrypted passwords, many passwords for smart devices are generic and non-encrypted; meaning they are much weaker.”

Certainly, it seems that the public do not consider smart devices for security to be a primary concern. Duly, locksmithservice.co.uk decided to analyse consumer responses, regarding smart home adoption.

Interestingly, when asked what they felt the key barrier was in adopting smart home technology, most consumers (36%) responded with ‘the cost to purchase’ Worryingly, a lack of personal privacy had a far lower percentage (22%), and even lower for a potential security threat to the home (16%).

Fittingly, data from Deloitte’s, ‘Mobile Consumer Survey, 2016’ suggests consumers are more interested in connected entertainment and connected-self products – rather than the idea of a connected, secure home.

In the past year, consumers have purchased connected entertainment devices, such as smart TVs (28%) or games consoles (26%) – a device that is now owned by one quarter of UK adults – and, as of mid 2016, almost half of UK adults had access to at least one type of connected entertainment product.

Even less of a priority are surveillance security systems at just three per cent and additions like smart home appliances and smart lighting systems lowest at two per cent. This implies it is just too early for UK consumers to feel inspired by some smart technologies.

Victor Baron, MD of Locksmith Service, said: “While smart home technology is innovative and supremely efficient, it is also exposing in the broadest sense. Before investing in any smart device, consumers must take time to consider what they are buying and if they truly need it. It may be that a security bolt, lock change and installation, or even a free security check is all that you need to put your mind – and home – at rest. All of which can be provided by a traditional locksmith, without leaving your home compromised or exposed.”

No posts to display