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Technology advancements have a significant impact on how the world operates today. Making your home secure and protecting your loved ones is the topmost priority of everyone. We believe that a smart home modern security is all you need to be safe and more secure. As a result, a secure smart home will give you a sense of security and boast several significant advantages. This article will give you a complete insight into a modern security guide and its efficient usage.
Table of Contents
What is a Smart Home and Modern Security system?
A modern security system is a means of securing something through interconnected components and devices. Additionally, Smart Home security systems work on the simple principle of safeguarding access points of a home using sensors that communicate with a control panel or smart home hub located in a convenient place within the home.
The sensors are often installed in front and back doors and easily accessible windows. Motion sensors are typically used to secure open spaces within homes. Smart Camera is the most used home security device, which serves as an eye of a security system. Only describing the basic functionality will not justify the topic, rather it needs more insight, that you will find in this article.
Most Reliable Modern Security System Devices
To guide you in selecting the most appropriate home security system for your needs, in this regard, we have gathered info on some of the best smart home security systems. Keep reading to find out!
What is a Smart Security Camera
Most people’s first step into smart security technology is a smart security camera or just a simple conventional security camera. Well, there is a lot more advantage of using a smart security camera or IP camera rather than a conventional CCTV camera. Following is a summarized comparison between Smart and CCTV Cameras
| Smart Camera | CCTV Camera |
| This can be accessed over the internet, from anywhere using a simple smartphone | This can be accessed only through its storage device server. Which is normally a wired one. |
| They only start recording when there is movement in the focused area | They are keep recording regardless of any movement and use extra video storage. That’s why heavy storage and overwriting of old data are required. |
| They also have two-way audio interaction options. | They simply record videos and some of them record audio as well. But still, you cannot send audio to the camera installed. |
| So much rich in features due to IP access or due to network access capability. You may have several types of alerts on your phone, and also you can assign a procedure, in case of any burglar scenario detected by AI image processing, to call the police directly. | The only advantage you can take is video streaming. However, You must have to take action by yourself. And if you have not monitored the incident live then you can check it on the recording. |
| Vulnerable to hacking if not handled as per standards like strong password, or not allowing access to every device, etc. The situation will get disastrous if not protected properly as many features may allow inside access to so many functionalities of the camera and data. | Vulnerability to hacking is quite narrow as the system is a closed network. |
Latest brands for smart security camera
- Google Nest Cam
- Wyze Cam V3
- Ring Stick Up
- Eufy Indoor Cam
- Arlo Pro 4
The good news is that you can give your smart home modern security camera the best machine learning and AI capabilities in collecting and identifying things and living beings by utilizing TensorFlow through Google Coral USB Accelerator.
Checklist for Smart Security Camera
- First and most important, It should be compatible with mainstream home automation ecosystems which are, Google Assitant, Alexa, Apple home kit, Hubitat, etc
- The camera should have a motion-detection video recording feature
- Night vision with good quality is a must feature for every smart security camera
- Resolution comparison is important with other available cameras at the same price.
- Pan-Tilt-Zoom PTZ feature will give easy installment at any place. Consider it.
- The built-in storage of the Camera should be enough for a month’s use.
- Emergency scenario connectivity with safety team.
What is a Smart Home Door Lock?
After security camera, if any other security device has equal importance then it is smart modern security door locks, and for a good reason: they’re simple to use. With a simple modification, you can improve your home security.
Many smart door locks are compatible with your existing door locks, so you won’t have to deal with messy replacements or installation. Nonetheless, we urge that you leave any smart technology installation to the professionals, especially when it comes to security.
Why choose a smart door lock over a conventional lock
The smart door lock is always a priority over a normal conventional door lock, not because it looks fancy but because of its value-added features. You can get access to your smart lock through your smartphone easily. Smart door locks can also be integrated with your smart home hub application and mobile apps together.
For all those AirBnb and tenant houses, you can easily change smart door lock passcode without any issue.
The best thing is now you can monitor when and how many times the door lock opens at night or at an unusual time. For hostels and summer camps, it is very useful to keep an eye on students’ movements.
No more dependency on physical keys now, whether you forgot them at your workplace or at a friend’s party.Because now you can use digital key from smartphone application or just enter the passcode on smart door lock keypad. Similarly, now all tricks of keeping key under doormat or door vase are old school for smart door lock users.
Checklist for Smart door locks
Types of Smart door locks
Before finalizing a smart door lock, you need to be sure that it is deadbolt type rather than spring type. Deadbolt door locks are those which can only be opened by means of mechanical disengagement which is done by rotating its lock mechanism a complete turn. Whereas, spring-type door locks are those which can be open when a spring is compressed or damaged (like in case of lock bumping). So you can understand from this mechanism that deadbolts locks are more secure than any other.
Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity requirement
You also need to be sure about the Wifi and Bluetooth access feature in the smart door lock. This will allow you later to connect your smart door lock with smart home hub. With this connectivity feature, you can access your lock from anywhere inside or outside of your home. But we prefer you should not give access to internet, it is safer to use connectivity to enhance features within your smart home hub network.
Grading of Smart lock as per ANSI
American National Standard Institute (ANSI) has assigned grading to deadbolt-type locks. This grading defines the life of a door lock, its strength, and its usability cycle. Grade 1 (refers to highest) to Grade 3 (refers to lowest). You need to be ensured what type of grading you required in your house. The standards also refer to severity by letters ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’.Grade ‘A’ is the best, ‘B’ is mediocre and ‘C’ is just OK. Any smart door lock with ‘AAA’ marking is actually referring to the best among all three grade categories.
Prefer high-quality brands
Never compromise with low quality and unknown brands, rather always purchase high-quality security door locks. With a low-quality lock, It may turn into a nightmare for you when all your saved passcode keys stop working for your locks or locks may start operating themselves without any command. Or you may find it difficult to connect your smart door lock using Bluetooth connectivity or over Wifi.
List of Reliable Brands for Smart Security door lock
The most reliable and commonly used smart modern security locks are
Kwikset door locks
Schlage door locks
ADT door locks
Abloy
What features do we have with reliable brands
- With Smart door locks, you can easily integrate it with commonly used smart home ecosystem. Such as Alexa Home, Google Assistant, Hubitat, Z-wave hubs, etc. This gives you enhanced control over your smart door lock.
- Using a smart door lock you can get instant notifications on your smartphone, every time it’s locked or unlocked. You can install locks and assign this notification to some of your important door cabinets or to a safe.
- Smart door locks by default come with a keypad screen that allows you to set a passcode. However, when you use a renowned brand smart door lock, they will have “set voice command” or “biometrics” unlocking access as well.
- Most new smart door locks, also create a log file for you, that can be received over email. You can have a look at the past record of all your safety locks stats in one single file.
- Another magical feature with a smart door lock is setting up a routine. Like when you leave home and forget to lock the door. Don’t worry! smart door lock here will lock the door itself after defined unattended time.
- You may also force lock the door, which means, the lock will not open even if someone inputs the right keycode on the smart lock keypad.
| Smart Door Lock Cost | |
| Low-Budget | $200 |
| Medium-Budget | $300 – $600 |
| High-Budget | $1,200 |
What is Smart Security Sensor & Alarm System?
A Smart Alarm System is basically a notification system that sends you an appropriate alarm annunciation to your smartphone or informs your security company to attend the emergency. No matter where you are sitting, you will remain in touch with your home automated alarm system due to smart technology.
A Smart Security Sensors are dedicated devices to monitor specific parameters and integrate the information with the main security system. Such as motion sensors informing someone’s presence in a hall or a room. It helps enhance security and let smart home systems perform their task efficiently by motion sensors information. For example, noise sensors trigger security cameras to start recording video and send notifications to homeowner.
Depending on your level of technical knowledge and DIY tools you have, you can install smart modern security gadgets yourself easily with the help of an installation guide. Or if you want some kind of assistance then its better to contact the security installation company. They will charge you for installation and you may also ask for their monthly or quarterly service subscription plan.
More in this article, you will find various typical smart modern security sensors and devices. In addition, all these devices can be integrated and connected wirelessly with your smart home hubs which could be Hubitat, Google Home Assitant, Alexa home, Samsung SmartThing, etc.
What are the types of security sensors
Motion sensors and their types
Motion sensors are the main ingredient of an automated smart security system. They are widely used by many smart homeowners for detecting intruders as well as for detecting the presence of anyone in a room, to optimize light usage to save energy. Here in this article, we are referring mainly to security purposes.
You can install these sensors on suspicious entrances points into your home such as the backyard door, first-floor window, or any other window, etc. You will get alerts on your smartphone or on your modern security system by the help of cloud-based alarm softwares. Motion sensors have a typical range of about 15– 20 feet. Now some of the latest brands also have more sensing ranges.
This sensor type has also become integral part of the smart security camera, which gives decision power to trigger camera recording. This means, whenever there is any kind of movement in coverage area, smart camera starts its recording and in this way, it saves lots of storage spaces over unnecessary recordings.
Most common types of Motion sensors are
- PIR Motion Detectors(Passive Infrared)
- Ultrasonic Motion Detectors
- Electromagnetic waves Motion Detectors.
PIR Motion Detector
PIR sensor is based on a pair of pyroelectric sensors which detect heat emitted by a living body (human being or pets/animal). When any subject comes into its detection area, this sensor reads heat emission and triggers alarm signals to the system.Moreover, It uses low power consumption and is economical as well to install in bulk quantity and allow you to cover as many critical entrances as possible to make better, secure, and monitored living space.
Common brands; which you can give a try. Eufy life, LeonLite, SimpliSafe, ADT, etc
Ultrasonic Motion Detector
The ultrasonic motion detector uses high-frequency sound waves that human beings cannot hear. In addition, These waves can travel and bounce back to a receiver within a certain fixed time interval. Whenever there is an obstruction in their line of sight there will be a definite change in the time interval. This change in the time interval is interpreted as motion detection. They are expensive as compared to PIR but the sensing range is too high as compared to other motion detectors.
Common brands you need to see are Teyleten robot, Aceirmc,Excelity, Sunfounde, etc
Electromagnetic waves Motion Detector
Electromagnetic(EM) waves radiations have a wide range of wavelengths, but here we are referring to radio waves and microwaves only. These waves are different in wavelength and have the capability to penetrate obstruction comes in their wave propagation. Every object that comes in contact with these waves changes its intensity and as a result, attenuates the power. When the receiver detects change in intensity of waves, it considers motion detection.
Several technology and techniques have come up with different names for motion detectors under this category of EM motion detectors such as tomographic motion detectors, radio wave motion detectors, microwaves motion detectors. Different applications of motions detection made technologists to use various types of EM waves as per need.
Tomographic detector is a mesh of installing multiple EM motion detectors with radio wave (2.5Ghz frequency) emitters and receivers to connect each sensor together in a network. Similar as we have seen in many action movies, in which they use these sensors to secure access to the precious antique or a safe.
This can also be used for fewer or no false alarms unlikely other motion detectors. Range is also pretty awesome as they are linked to each other enhancing the coverage area. But again not easy for every homeowner to get this installed and maintain. Brands for EM motion detectors Sensinova, RCWL-0516 , J.LUMI YCA2002 etc
A microwave motion detector is another example of electromagnetic waves motion detector; the core difference is the wavelength of EM waves that will change the type of EM motion sensor.
Noise sensors and their utilization
Another sensor that has played a vital role in smart home security is Noise / Sound sensors. These sensors measures surrounding noises in decibel levels to distinguish between normal sound or noise and abnormal noise.
The sensor is based on sensitive diaphragm that detects sound waves and converts them into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is further deciphered and processed to understand whether it is any kind of emergency situation or not.
What is the purpose of Smart Noise Sensor?
Noise sensors are used to identify all disturbed and unusual noises; especially when you are not present and somebody tried to break into your house through breaking windows. The noise sensor will alert you instantly after sensing window breaking sound.
You can also deploy these sensors at door entrance, especially your backyard entrance. It will detect and inform you about door opening and closing. It is also a good solution for all Airbnb homeowners, they can deploy noise sensors in their homes and warn tenants in case of high noise disturbance created by them.
In many cases, noise sensors are all in one solution when you cannot install smart surveillance cameras or related monitoring tools at your office building or apartment due to some building restriction. You can install smart noise sensors as watchful ears. It can detect any unusual movements at your home by inferring suspicious sounds, talks, or if any drilling tool is being used for breaking safe or any lock.
It occasionally happens that your smart fire home detector panels fail to send you a notification over smartphone but in case, if it fails then, a noise detector here supplements and alerts you of beeping sound from your main hall area; which is actually your fire alarm panel beep. Similarly, any electronic device malfunctioning and due to which unusual beeps, can be detected even if you are not in the audible range, just with the help of a smart noise sensor.
Suggested brands for sound/noise sensors are Minut, Alertify, Party Squasher , Roomonitor etc
Smart Home Smoke and Heat Detectors
This sensor category covers all types of smoke detectors, gases detectors, temperature detectors, humidity detectors, and heat detectors. These all are very crucial sensors that ensure the safety of the home.
Smart Smoke Detector
It is used to detect any kind of smoke from an electrical socket or by any means of fire. As it is smart in technology so unlike your conventional smoke detector system this smart smoke detector will notify you as well, easily on phone notification as well as to your emergency squad with the help of an automated alarm system. As per NFPA (National Fire Protection Authority) standards, a smoke detector should replace with a new one atleast before 10 years of usage. Moreover, at least quarterly testing of each detector is mandatory. There are two types of smoke detectors that are commonly used.
- Optical Type ( based on light interference due to smoke of fire)
- Ionization smoke detector ( based on ionization of air and current flow)
Ionization smoke detectors are good to detect high flaming fires. Whereas optical type smoke detectors are good in detecting smoldering smoke as well.
First Alert, Kidde, and Google Nest Protect are the best smart smoke detectors.
One should always keep testing their smoke detectors every quarter as they get faulty and will make it unsafe for your home. The easiest way to test your smoke detector if it is optical type – use room freshener spray on it and it will give an alarm in case it is healthy otherwise its means out of order.
Smart Gases Detector
Every house should get installed CO( Carbonmono Oxide) detection sensors. Because, CO is odorless, colorless, and at the same time poisonous when trap in one space with a high concentration. Several incidents have been reported, in which, chefs have been found inhaling too much CO unconsciously and risking their life and at some point inhaling CO beyond the threshold, also get them fainted or they may face more severe conditions.
CO is a result of incomplete combustion of fuel which has the tendency to replace oxygen in your blood and create traumatic conditions for you.
Smart CO detectors or gas detectors have the capability to inform you, percentage level of different gases in the air. It will give you pre-warnings at an initial stage and if ignored or unattended it will send a signal to the emergency department by itself or trigger a suppression or neutralizing signal to its installed suppression system.
Smart Heat Detector
There are a lot of different types of smart heat detectors out there, but the most common are infrared and thermal imaging detectors. Infrared detectors use a beam of infrared light to detect the heat coming from an object. Thermal imaging detectors use a camera to take pictures of the objects and measure the temperature of those objects.
One of the biggest benefits of using a smart heat detector is that you can use it to keep an eye on things that you don’t want to burn. For example, if you have a stovetop that you use to make food, you can use a smart heat detector to keep an eye on the temperature of the stovetop so that in case of any sudden temperature rise beyond the limit can be informed timely by the smart heat detector system
ALSO READ
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– The Practicality Of Home Automation Without Internet.
Factors to consider for Home Automation
Select the most important features
You don’t need all of the smart home features at once. Simply start selecting the significant ones first and let them serve essential tasks in your home.
Make sure your network is safe.
Before buying a device, be sure it doesn’t have any potential safety or security risks. Low quality and newly launched products may have unexplored vulnerabilities. Ensure all basic security features are turned on, and each device has a secure password. Basic security features refer to authentication, control access, firewall, and software periodic update feature.
Compatibility
Check the compatibility list before making a purchase. Your home’s electronics should all be able to communicate with one another. for example smart device you purchased is not compatible with Z- wave protocol, whereas your smart home hub and security system, works on Z-Wave. Avoid such issues.
Setup
Before planning for DIY make sure the smart gadget you are going to install is easy to fit or does it need a higher level of skills. Some devices and sensor equipment (such as smart thermostats and smart outlets) require more technical knowledge to set up than others. Always refer to Youtube or a video guide for installation, you may come to know some tips and tricks on that.
Read the privacy rules.
Always check the privacy policies of your smart home gadgets to ensure that your data is not shared, monitored, or sold. You must understand how your device’s data is used and shared. Most of the company exploit end-user data to sell it to other marketing agencies. Ensure everything and cleared up your fears with them before signing in to their device.
Research
Read consumer reviews, buyer’s advice, and independent reviews before making a purchase. Several reliable sources are available over the internet that will give you an unbiased review of a device. Famous and reliable smart home device review sources are Wirecutter-NY times and PCMag.
Conclusion
The combination of modern security systems and smart home technology is incredible. They provide homeowners and residents with new and enhanced ways to protect their property. These systems allow you to receive security alerts, access video footage, lock and unlock doors, adjust lighting, and otherwise control home security even when you’re not at home. They can also tell you if a smoke alarm or another type of environmental sensor has been activated utilizing cloud-based alarm system.
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