Smart homes, devices under spotlight during Cybersecurity Awareness Month

YARMOUTH, Maine — Residential security has evolved to build higher fencers and stronger locks, but has the average homeowner considered securing their doorbell? 

In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, Security Systems News (SSN) looked at a more modern threat vector for security incidents: smart homes and smart home devices.  

“CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) is excited to again partner with the National Cybersecurity Alliance and lead the federal government’s efforts to reduce online risk during this 21st Cybersecurity Awareness month and every month,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “Our focus is working with government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness and help everyone, from individuals to businesses to all levels of government stay safe online in our ever-connected world. Protecting ourselves online is about taking a few simple, everyday steps to keep our digital lives safe.” 

On how home security and monitoring services have evolved and what security providers are doing to keep step with changing cybersecurity concerns, residential experts Brinks Home chimed in. 

“Brinks Home believes there are important measures to take when keeping your home security system and account secure,” said Laura Finson, director of Product & Product Partnerships at Brinks Home.  

Some insights to consider for homeowners to implement when evolving with the times, according to Finson:  

• Keeping hardware firmware up-to-date. Ensure that features and benefits undergo auto-updates that will take care of bug-fixes and enhance overall improvements. 

• Maintaining a home network name and password with each auto-update that is presented. Additionally, keep an eye out for devices the homeowner may not recognize in the process.  

• Setting up a two-factor authentication. At Brinks Home, a 2FA model for mobile devices is recommended to ensure the system remains secure. 

• Utilizing encrypted camera streams through a private and locked wi-fi network is the best way to protect against any potential threats.” 

More information is available online at https://www.cisa.gov/.