Amazon Alexa Now Offers New Security Features

Amazon Alexa Now Offers New Security Features

Amazon Alexa users that enable Alexa Guard on their smart speakers can now take advantage of a few security features.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • May 16, 2019

Those who have the Amazon Alexa smart smart speakers already installed in their home can now take advantage of new security features at no additional charge.

Amazon Alexa users who download and enable the Alexa Guard app now have access to new features like "Smart Alerts" that tells the Echo speakers to listen for the sound of breaking glass or a smoke or carbon-monoxide alarm going off while you are away. 

The speaker is now able to recognize these sounds and send a push notification to warn you that there might be trouble at home so that you can respond appropriately. 

Alexa Guard can operate on its own, or in conjunction with other popular smart home security products such as Ring, ADT Pulse and ADT Control. When paired with Ring or ADT, the Alexa can send a message directly to the professional monitoring service, which will then be able to determine if it is appropriate to notify emergency-response services. 

In addition to the sound detection features, Alexa Guard can also be used to trigger light patterns. User's can pair their smart lightbulbs with the app and give a command such as, "Alexa, I am leaving," and the smart bulbs will react and the speakers will turn on to listen for any unusual sounds.

While the Alexa Guard app has been available since late 2018, it was not available on older versions of the smart speakers. The service now can be enabled on all models of Amazon Alexa.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • 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.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.