INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL

The Changing Marketplace

As the Internet of Things (IoT) has continued to evolve, so, too, have the options for pairing smart home integration with both professionally monitored and self-monitored home security solutions. As an industry, we have come a long way from the push-button keypads hardwired to units in closets that had dial-up connections to a central station. Advances in technology, including LTE and 5G networks, Bluetooth and Z-Wave, have allowed home security providers to make our systems a seamless part of everyday life for millions of Americans who own or rent a home.

We have moved beyond providing professional monitoring for deterrence and intrusion only—life safety monitoring is now possible because of products such as connected smoke and CO detectors, flood sensors, temperature sensors and more. Coupled with other home automation products (smart locks, smart lightbulbs, smart thermostats, etc.). A smart security system can streamline the home experience for customers and provide them with security, and peace of mind, for life. While self-monitored systems are popular with entry-level consumers of smart security, a professionally monitored system still offers the most value for money, as customers know that a central station is there in any emergency, 24/7/365—whether they are home or away.

The smart home market is booming, with newcomers to the industry offering budget-friendly options that are tempting more Americans to try adding automation or video cameras to their homes. In fact, research shows that 30 percent of U.S. broadband households now own at least one smart home device. Security is understandably a concern as customers add devices to their home Wi-Fi networks—it’s important to encourage customers to check their network security, install firmware and antivirus protection updates regularly, and keep technology current to avoid threats. While some manufacturers offer devices that can integrate with other smart home products, many of them run on separate proprietary apps, which can make the customer experience a frustrating one. Imagine having to open separate apps to disarm your alarm, open your garage, and unlock the back door—it is not the simple … streamlined life that smart home commercials promise or that customers are telling us they want.

This is where security providers have an advantage over smart home only companies— by being able to integrate many common smart products into a home’s security system, providing a way for one app to control everything from locks and lights to the alarm itself, at the push of a button. And, because of professional monitoring, the customer is in complete control with 24/7 (emergency) coverage should it be needed. This is particularly useful if a connected smoke detector or CO alarm should trip while a homeowner is away—with monitored security, their app will notify them, and their provider will automatically dispatch emergency personnel—potentially saving property and lives.

Another advantage to professionally monitored security is the discount offered by many homeowner’s insurance policies for having a system in place. Self-monitored systems often do not qualify, and most police departments will not dispatch units to a self-monitored home when the owner is not present.

Video is another area where a security provider’s app integration makes a world of difference. Customers who choose to add indoor or outdoor video cameras can now see those feeds in real-time and even reply to video doorbells from within their home security app—whether they are on the couch or away from home. Video analytics and customized notifications allow customers to truly choose the experience that works best for their lifestyle.

It is not just self-monitored systems that are tempting to customers, we know from data shared by Parks & Associates that self-installed systems are on the rise—last year 55 percent of new security systems were DIY installations. About onethird of those customers chose this route due to COVID-19 concerns, which means that as the world starts to emerge from the pandemic norms, professional installation will continue to grow. DIY systems do offer self-service but we continue to see the interest of customers who want a professionally installed and monitored system where a trained technician ensures that everything is connected and set up properly. Customers know that their system is communicating properly to the central station, and all of their smart devices have been properly integrated into their system correctly. The technician will also show them how to use the system in the way that works best for their lifestyle and how to make changes as their needs change.

For Brinks Home, it is an exciting time to be part of the smart security industry, as more and more customers are looking for the peace of mind that a smart home + security system offers.

This article originally appeared in the July / August 2021 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.