# New smart device security guidelines fall short for homeowners Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2018-03-13 Category: TECHNOLOGY Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/technology Meta Title: Is Government Guidance on Smart Home Security Enough? Meta Description: Discover how the UK government's guidelines on smart home technology fall short and the growing concerns over data security in the IoT landscape. URL: https://financedigest.com/new-smart-device-security-guidelines-fall-short-for-homeownershtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/fd130318-5-1736842927129-compressed.jpg) - **Government guidance falls woefully short when it comes to smart home technology (Silk Road)** - **73% of millennial women see smart home technology as a way to protect their homes (TecHome Builder)** - **2/3 of global consumers are very concerned about smart home data being hacked by cybercriminals** ![james fenner](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/james-fenner-1736842927101-compressed.jpg) james fenner The UK government has responded to a spate of security breaches relating to internet-connected devices by announcing new guidelines. The guidelines seek to ensure that software is automatically updated, that passwords can’t be reset to factory defaults and that any sensitive [data transmitted by apps](https://www.financedigest.com/data-privacy-and-navigation-how-our-personal-data-is-used-in-navigation-apps.html "Data Privacy and Navigation: How our personal data is used in Navigation Apps.") is encrypted. However, future living expert James Fenner, of innovative property company [Silk Road](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ENrjN7OdI5YrGklC9-13oNzvuC9ni6TqsMLhHxc0LXwA28aoVUnWkdhzwmraF3Tj_U_vbKI3FkWWUPXdhSBCmyslf1a9ET3gBVVfSgBNFaf5MjetwejT-AUZ6Jm0AYVZiHT3SDB8IReK-5k7mW4Fo04fzysqG8dBRprO_5IRPfB9SsuCKGq9Ew==&c=aukayJPW_efN_cae3u3VCPHKprd-pcSjBN_YCJ0pZN6gXT_httUKkw==&ch=lg5V7KAc2383etaHZ-_4NhlWYbllE_0cSCnp4pHz03xyka36pqWetA==), argues that by only issuing guidelines – and not making them legally binding – the government has fallen short in its care of vulnerable home owners. **“The Internet of Things is expanding at an incredible pace and there is much that [smart tech](https://www.financedigest.com/getting-smart-with-the-school-run-how-todays-tech-can-safeguard-our-children-when-travelling-to-school.html "Getting smart with the school run: How today’s tech can safeguard our children when travelling to school") can do to enhance home life. However, the pace of introduction means that the government has been left scrabbling to keep up and has been left wanting when it comes to matters of security.** Where vulnerable groups such as the elderly are using this technology in their homes in order to boost their independence, it is particularly [important that security concerns are addressed](https://www.financedigest.com/how-financial-services-organisations-can-address-the-vulnerability-lag-and-safeguard-their-most-important-digital-assets.html "How financial services organisations can address the ‘Vulnerability Lag’ and safeguard their most important digital assets") swiftly and robustly. **_James Fenner, Founder and MD,_** [**_Silk Road_**](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ENrjN7OdI5YrGklC9-13oNzvuC9ni6TqsMLhHxc0LXwA28aoVUnWkdhzwmraF3Tj_U_vbKI3FkWWUPXdhSBCmyslf1a9ET3gBVVfSgBNFaf5MjetwejT-AUZ6Jm0AYVZiHT3SDB8IReK-5k7mW4Fo04fzysqG8dBRprO_5IRPfB9SsuCKGq9Ew==&c=aukayJPW_efN_cae3u3VCPHKprd-pcSjBN_YCJ0pZN6gXT_httUKkw==&ch=lg5V7KAc2383etaHZ-_4NhlWYbllE_0cSCnp4pHz03xyka36pqWetA==) Many believe that our homes are already too smart. With [artificial intelligence](https://www.financedigest.com/types-of-artificial-intelligence.html "artificial intelligence"), retina scans, finger print unlocking, voice activation and all manner of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the potential for cyber attacks has increased exponentially. The amount that Alexa knows about our daily routines and personal preferences can be quite scary! Locks and burglar alarms used to keep our homes safe. Now, homeowners are increasingly turning to technology to achieve the same goal. In the US, 73% of millennial women see [smart](https://www.financedigest.com/smart-home-devices-market-is-expected-to-grow-at-a-healthy-cagr-of-over-18-during-the-study-forecast-period-2021-2031.html "Smart Home Devices Market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of over 18% during the study forecast period 2021-2031") home technology as a way to protect their homes according to TecHome Builder. However, despite the proliferation of smart home technologies, many consumers still question the safety of the IoT landscape: two-thirds of [global consumers](https://www.financedigest.com/top-5-players-to-account-for-45-of-global-consumer-appliance-coatings-market-share-through-2031.html "Top 5 Players to Account for 45% of Global Consumer Appliance Coatings Market Share Through 2031") are very concerned about smart home data being hacked by cybercriminals. The rapid expansion of smart home technology has left us strangely exposed. Sadly, the government’s guidelines do little more than responsible smart tech companies are already doing for themselves. There is much that smart [home technology can do to help homeowners to remain independent in their own properties](https://www.financedigest.com/simplifying-home-insurance-through-property-characteristics-data.html "Simplifying home insurance through property characteristics data"). However, the pace of introduction of such technology has not been without its opponents. When Boston Dynamics revealed its Spotmini robot could [open doors](https://www.financedigest.com/fed-delivers-small-rate-hike-opens-door-to-pause-in-tightening-cycle.html "Fed delivers small rate hike, opens door to pause in tightening cycle") in order to let its fellow robot ‘escape,’ the backlash on Twitter was swift and decisive. **“Interestingly, we’re seeing a split response to the increasing security concerns that smart home tech brings with it. Some homeowners are [ditching the technology in favour](https://www.financedigest.com/snap-happy-79-of-brits-ditch-digital-cameras-in-favour-of-phone-photos.html "Snap Happy: 79% of Brits ditch digital cameras in favour of phone photos") of a tech-free home environment. Others are using yet more tech to avoid those security concerns.”** **_James Fenner, Founder and MD, Silk Road_** A number of high-end devices have been launched in order to support homeowners to do just that. The $13,800 Solarin, for example, is a military-grade smartphone that operates in [“shielded mode” and is at the leading](https://www.financedigest.com/asia-pacific-region-to-lead-the-global-static-shielding-bags-market-fact-mr-report.html "Asia Pacific Region to Lead the Global Static Shielding Bags Market: Fact.MR Report") edge of personal security. Meanwhile, California-based start-up Cujo is launching a [security device](https://www.financedigest.com/education-security-in-2022-hybrid-cloud-device-management-drives-it-challenges.html "Education Security in 2022: Hybrid-Cloud, Device Management Drives IT Challenges") to protect our increasingly connected homes. It seems that private companies are [stepping up to address the issues that the government’s rather lacklustre guidelines fail](https://www.financedigest.com/factoring-in-fail-safes-five-practical-steps-for-more-efficient-transparent-reporting.html "Factoring in fail-safes: five practical steps for more efficient, transparent reporting") to tackle. Just like with traditional burglar alarm systems, it will be those with [money to spend who can buy](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-buy-income-producing-real-estate-without-your-own-money-or-credit.html "How to Buy Income-Producing Real Estate Without Your Own Money or Credit") the best protection. **“Smart tech has an [important role](https://www.financedigest.com/the-importance-of-role-models-and-policy-in-encouraging-more-women-to-pursue-careers-in-the-finance-sector.html "The importance of role models and policy in encouraging more women to pursue careers in the finance sector") to play in the way that we live in and enjoy our homes. We just need to ensure that security matters are addressed at the same pace as innovations are achieved.”** **_James Fenner, Founder and MD, Silk Road_** --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---