IoT: The Future of Home Security?

IoT – or Internet of Things – is swiftly growing in popularity for home security. However, it does not come without its risks.

According toHoneywell, there has been a 49% increase in hacking of IoT systems in 2025. Furthermore,Verizon estimates that 1 in 3 security data breaches that occur today are on IoT systems.

In this article, Titan Security outlines what IoT is and its advantages, as well as the risks and how to mitigate them.

What is IoT?

IoT is a technology that connects security devices to each other across to the internet, transforming a security system into a “smart” system that allows remote control and monitoring.

With IoT, worries about leaving doors unlocked or devices on in the home become obsolete – devices in the home can become connected to personal devices such as smartphones, allowing for homeowners to control such things from outside of their home.

How Does IoT Work?

· Sensors: Collect data that allows homeowners to view whether doors are locked, devices are switched off, cameras are operating; also sense suspicious behaviour – such as movement outside or inside the home, or attempted entries.

· Actuators: Perform actions based on the data and the decision of the homeowner – actuators can lock doors, turn devices off, etc.

· Interconnection: Devices share data by being interconnected with each other over a Wireless connection such as WiFi or Bluetooth.

Homeowners can view data and make decisions for the actuators through apps – they can either enable decisions themselves or choose for actions to become automated (for example, if the sensors note that a device has been left on, actuators automatically switch it off).

IoT: The Advantages

Enhanced Security & Monitoring

· Real-Time Alerts: Homeowners receive notifications on personal devices the minute the sensors detect suspicious activity. For example, if the sensors detect someone attempting to break in either through monitoring security cameras or through attempt to get through a smart-lock, servers can send an immediate notice to the homeowners, who can then act accordingly.

· 24/7 Surveillance: Connecting cameras to an IoT server allows for 24/7 monitoring of a property, including livestreaming for homeowners to check on their property anywhere and at any time.

· AI-Powered Detection: More advanced IoT systems can use AI in the event of movement detection to differentiate between an actual threat, and something harmless. The use of AI allows the sensors to decide whether the movement seen outside the home is an intruder, or just a neighbourhood cat. This prevents false positives being sent to homeowners.

Centralised Control

· Remote access: IoT systems connected to applications allow homeowners to control their home – including letting people in or locking people out – from wherever they are in the world. Should a family member be stopping by to check on the home while homeowners are away, for example, the sensors can alert homeowners to their presence and homeowners can make the decision to let them in.

· Automation: Homeowners can set automated responses to occur for specific events; such as programming all devices in the home to switch off when no one is detected in the home, or for all doors to lock as soon as they close.

· Keyless access: IoT systems allow for secure entry to homes through passcodes or biometric data, meaning physical keys are not necessary. This means keys cannot be stolen or copied.

Threat Deterrence

· Simulations: IoT-powered lighting systems can be programmed to switch lights in the home on and off at set times in the day, giving the appearance that someone is home even if the homeowners are away. This prevents potential break-ins, as anyone scouting the area for a target will assume someone is home.

IoT: The Disadvantages

Privacy Risks

· Vulnerability: As IoT systems increase the number of devices that are interconnected, it increases the entry points for hackers to enter the system and steal personal information, or even disarm the system entirely.

o According to IBM, almost 50% of all IoT security systems are vulnerable to hackers.

o Unencrypting also remains a major vulnerability to IoT systems – 98% of IoT traffic is estimated to be unencrypted.

· Data Breaches: With the threat of hacking if IoT systems so high, personal data is at risk. An IoT system protecting the home will hold data and information about the occupants – especially when the system is controlled through voice or biometrics – and this is data that can be stolen by hackers, which is a major privacy concern.

o One third of data breaches occur on IoT systems.

Internet Reliability

· Dependency: IoT systems rely heavily on stable internet or wireless connections and a continuous power supply in order to work. Any kind of internet failure or power outage – which can occur even just in bad weather – can take down the entire system, allowing for major gaps in security and huge vulnerabilities.

o Wi-Fi makes up for around 31% of IoT connections.

o Bluetooth makes up 25%.

o Cellular Connections make up roughly 21%.

· System Failures: If even just one device in the system glitches or shuts down, it can have ramifications for the entire system due to its interconnected nature. If a sensor goes down, for example, it might not detect an intruder attempting to enter the property. If an actuator goes down, it will not be able to perform the action it was told to perform. Any hitch in the system can render the rest of the system useless.

Cost and Complexity

· Tech Complexity: The complexity of an interconnected system can make IoT systems incredibly difficult to troubleshoot and manage. If there is an issue somewhere within the system, homeowners inexperienced with IoT systems may struggle to identify where the issue is, or what to do about it.

· Cost: IoT systems can be expensive to both implement and maintain, as they will require ongoing updates and monitoring as well as specific infrastructures to allow them to operate.

IoT: Combatting The Issues

As outlined above, there are some seriously concerning issues surrounding the use of IoT. Combatting these issues can come from protections on the system itself, and ensuring that there is backup for the event of system failures.

Basic Practices

· Change Passwords Regularly: Homeowners should regularly change the passwords to their IoT home security systems. In this case, even if the password gets leaked or accidentally shared, the chances of potential threats accessing the system remain slim.

· Disconnect When Not In Use: When occupants are home and not in need of the security system, it should be disconnected. This limits the risk of failure due to running too long, vulnerability to attack, and the chance of the system being hacked into and used to spy on the occupants as opposed to checking the surroundings.

Keeping On Top

· Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA should be installed into IoT systems to allow access to the home or applications should the system not immediately recognise the person attempting to enter the home or use the system. This could be a password, biometric system or voice control. This will prevent those who should not have access to the system from gaining access.

· Software Management: The software of the IoT system should be constantly updated and monitored to ensure that the system has the latest features and runs as well as it can. This prevents failures and gaps in the system that could allow hackers in.

o According to IoT Security Foundation, 60% of IoT security breaches occur as a result of unpatched and out-of-date firmware.

Ensuring A Back-Up

· Physical Security: Even with the growing popularity of digital security, homeowners should not be leaving physical security behind:

o CCTV systems should still operate even if the internet goes down.

o Access control features – such as keypads – that operate in the event of power cuts.

o Alarm systems connected to authorities should not be reliant on the internet and should still sound if someone who does not know the code enters the house even in the event of IoT system failure.

· Even if the system cannot then alert the homeowner to potential threats, those threats can still be kept at bay.

The risks of IoT cannot be ignored. The high levels of hacking and vulnerability are a big concern, as is an IoT system’s reliance on power and internet. To successfully run an IoT security system, homeowners must ensure that they mitigate potential risks, and that the system is backed up in the event of failure.

If implemented correctly with necessary precautions taken, IoT can be a remarkable technology for securing a home. The ability for homeowners to control their home security from outside of the home and to receive alerts of all potential breaches can bring immense peace of mind and prevent home crime.