Just like with many other industries, home security systems have evolved quite a bit over the past 20 years. And it’s not just the systems, the concept itself of home security has evolved quite a bit. 20 years ago, talking about home security used to mean that you would just be comparing different alarm systems. However, today a security system encompasses a lot more than that.
Today, home security is all about keeping your home safe from intruders. But it’s not just that – it also makes sure you’re safe from fires and your carbon monoxide levels are kept at bay. It has to do with how you enter your home, and how you allow others to enter your home, too. It’s not just about keeping burglars out, it’s also about knowing that your kid got home safe from school, and it’s about knowing that you forgot to close the garage door.
But you know what the best part is? Home security today is more user-friendly than ever, and it’s as user-focused as possible. Having a secure smart home is something that’s attainable for just about everyone. So let’s talk about how things got here and see the evolution of home security systems over the last 20 years.
Wired to Wireless
The first major thing that’s happened is that today, the majority of security systems are wireless. 20 years ago, they were wired inside the homes, which meant that major complications happened every time there was an issue with the system. But also, the installation of one after the home was built was an issue, too. The entire systems were big and bulky, and to add to the already high prices, you had to have a professional electrician run the wiring as it wasn’t something you could’ve done yourself.
Today, most of the systems are wireless. This makes them a lot more convenient, and they’re extremely easy to integrate into your home. You don’t have to cut holes and drill through the walls to install things, you just set them up. For example, a security camera no longer requires that you have a cable running to a centralized storage device. Instead, it’s connected to your home network and stores all the data on an online cloud storage system that’s secure.
Keyless Entry Is a Thing
When you hear keyless entry, chances are you think of getting inside your car without needing to physically unlock it, something that’s been available with higher-end cars for a while now. But today, thanks to the evolutions in the home security industry, you can get that with your home, too. We all know the hassle of losing your key and the headache that creates, but that’s no longer an issue.
Today, smart locks are all the rage. Instead of using a key, you now enter your home with a PIN code, or your smartphone, or a fingerprint. You also have the ability to give your family different PIN codes so you have a complete overview of who entered your home and when. Want to know when your child got home from school? Now it’s as simple as giving them their own PIN code and having the smart lock alert you on your phone. Didn’t we mention that? They’re connected to the internet now, and you get notifications when something happens.
To add to that, you can also have a video doorbell. There’s a host of products on the market, but they all have the same purpose – giving you a better view of who’s outside your door, even if you aren’t physically at home. You can use your smartphone to connect to your doorbell, and then use the two-way audio feature to talk to them and see what they want.
Safety and Security Devices Integration
Another thing that’s a part of the evolution, and is rapidly on the rise nowadays, is the IoT, or Internet of Things. The entire technology revolves around connecting and integrating a vast variety of devices. For example, one result of the evolution of IoT is the fact that you can control your thermostat and your security cameras using your voice and a smart home assistant such as Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa. You can also control smart lighting to it, too, and you can integrate it with crucial safety features such as your smoke detectors or your carbon monoxide detectors.
As you can see, it’s not just the technology itself behind home security devices that are evolving. Things are happening on a deeper level, and we’re seeing an evolution in the definition of home security itself. It’s something that’s not going to stop anytime soon, and it’s certainly something that we’ll reap the benefits of in the future, just like we are today.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.