Page 18 - Fast Forward to a Sustainable Future

Originally published November 2015

The Changing Face

of Home Security

The newest residential security systems are incorporating smart home
technology and greater user control.

BY JULIET GRABLE

HE HOME SECURITY
industry is undergoing a
transformation. As intrusion
detection merges with
“smart home” technology,
T new markets are opening up.
Fully integrated systems not only lock and
unlock doors and trigger alarms, but control
window shades, lighting and thermostats
and monitor for carbon monoxide and
fires. “End users” are taking more control
of their systems, monitoring them from
smartphones and other mobile devices. A
proliferation of wireless products is even IMAGE CREDIT: BOSCH SECURITY SYSTEMS
enabling homeowners to cobble together CREDIT: BOSCH SECURITY SYSTEMS
their own systems.
“For decades, the industry made very
incremental changes,” says Stacey Michaels,
product marketing manager at Bosch Smart Cameras. Bosch’s TINYON IP 2000 Smart Home Translator. Bosch’s Z-Wave
Security Systems. “Now things are starting PIR camera integrates with the company’s Home Control Gateway connects Z-Wave
security panels and includes motion and
wireless devices with Bosch’s security
to move at breakneck speed.” This is audio detection functionality as well. panels, enabling whole-home automation
creating both challenges and opportunities and control.
for manufacturers and security system Systems. Panels must be flexible enough to accommodate current and future
providers. to accommodate past, present and future communication technologies.
technologies, supporting, for example, both Users can control the panel directly from
A SECURE FUTURE wired and wireless devices. a keypad or remotely with a smartphone,
Until recently, a simple residential security Bosch updated its two lines of intrusion using Bosch’s mobile app. Increasingly,
system consisted of motion sensors, door control panels—the G-Series and the homeowners want the ability to monitor
and/or window contacts and keypads, and it B-Series—for greater flexibility and their own systems, or to have alerts sent
relied on a telephone line. Now, such systems integration. The B-Series panels are directly to them, says Caler. “The keypad
are going wireless and include cameras and appropriate for smaller (including most is now supplemental, or sometimes, even
“smart sensors” that monitor and/or control residential) systems, and can accommodate replaced by the smartphone or tablet.”
other aspects of the home. from eight to 48 security sensors. These With such flexibility, security concerns
The “intrusion control panel” is the central panels are compatible with both IPv4 and and convenience are merging; for example, a
hardware component of a security system. IPv6, the Internet Protocols that route homeowner might want to be able to unlock
Since this component is long lived, future- internet traffic, and include Ethernet and a door remotely for a subcontractor, or to
proofing is imperative, says Dennis Caler, USB ports, as well as a flexible modular check on their kids to make sure they’ve
senior product manager at Bosch Security communication port that is designed arrived home from school safely.

18 FAST FORWARD TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE