When you take the time to tune into the buzz around the show floor at CEDIA Expo, you will likely overhear integrators exchanging stories about their most recent projects, attendees commenting about the latest products on display, newcomers asking for advice from industry veterans, and the occasional pop song being played over a speaker in the distance.
This year, as expected, there was quite a bit of chatter about the pandemic, chip shortage, and supply chain uncertainties. But to some surprise, there was a noticeable uptick in conversations about home security.
Luckily for attendees, home security products were in abundance at the September show in Indianapolis.
Residential Plays Catch Up
Commercial buildings, for the most part, have always been far ahead of residential spaces when it comes to security – and perhaps rightfully so. They tend to have higher foot traffic and the information and possessions inside tend to be of much greater value. But as office buildings, schools, and other places of work became somewhat abandoned over the past year due to the pandemic, the need for the same or a similar type of protection at home has become increasingly prominent.
guardDog.ai uses the Fido “plug and protect” network overlay device to access its Protective Cloud Services (PCS), which combats threats with Autonomous incident Response (AiR) technology. The service protects networks and devices attached to it against cyber-threats such as ransomware, man-in-the-middle attacks, denial of service, and emerging novel threats, to protect.
Lighting for Security
The lights, which can now be managed via Control4 panels, illuminate a home’s perimeter when turned on, and brighten when motion is detected. PoE smart lights can be controlled individually, and set to react to specific events, including power outages.
With a Cat 6 cable, PoE Security Lights can be added to key locations, like stairwells and hallways to ensure the path is well-lit in case of emergencies. In its most basic use case, PoE smart lighting can scare off intruders and allow security cameras to capture incidents in high-resolution color.
The Person Key
A large part of the security business works to keep people out, but there are many instances where people actually need to come in, and it may be necessary to monitor or limit their access. With fingerprint access control systems, property owners can now detect "who" actually triggers an action/scenario based on their DNA, as demonstrated by ekeyUSA Systems at CEDIA. These intuitive systems have the capability to control, manage or grant access to a building based on a particular person. The company’s various wall-mounted and outlet-mounted models can store up to 99 fingerprints and control 1-3 functions including a door, gate, alarm system and more.
Multi-Dwelling Solutions
Another European company that caught the attention of many at CEDIA Expo was IP intercom provider 2N, which is a significant innovator in the field of IP access control systems and IP elevator communicators (2N became a division of Axis Communications in 2016).
One particular product that stood out was the 2N IP Style, a 10-inch door intercom that combines the best of IP intercoms and IP cameras to create a secure front door solution. An Axis ARTPEC processer acts as the brains of the intercom, supporting wide dynamic ranges and providing color images, even in low light.
Smart Locks
Even with the presence of lighting systems, security cameras, and intercoms, perhaps a home’s most important method of security is its locking mechanism. At CEDIA, Kwikset demonstrated ways to take this most basic form of home protection to another level with Home Connect technology.
Kwikset showed off its Home Connect 620, the first smart lock in the Home Connect line with a 10-button keypad, one-touch locking, and the latest Z-Wave 700 chip technology. This new chip provides various enhancements, including extended wireless range and wireless security features to reduce the network’s vulnerability during enrollment. The smart lock can store up to 250 user access codes and receive notifications anywhere there is an internet connection. This feature allows homeowners to share temporary access codes to family and guests without having to put their main access code at risk of exposure.
Its Mastercode feature further protects the lock from being tampered with by adding an extra layer of security to commands and settings. The sleek, all-metal design and choice of traditional or contemporary styling of the lock also makes it a modern addition to a home.
The locks are sure to match existing hardware and pair well with contemporary or traditional knobs, levers, and handle sets. Interestingly, Kwikset, along with a variety of security names under Spectrum Brands, was acquired by ASSA ABLOY just days after exhibiting at CEDIA.
Giles Sutton is co-CEO of CEDIA (https://cedia.net), a global trade association and central touch point for 3,700 member companies who design, manufacture, and install technology for the home.
