Over recent years there’s been a lot of talk about the cyber security of smart homes, with many people under the misapprehension that just because your home accesses the internet, the smart home devices within it may be subject to hacking and threat.
The reality is, ensuring the cyber security of your smart home is not dissimilar to ensuring the general security of your home.
It involves implementing best practice, understanding the threat and working to eliminate it. And that always comes down to proper installation.
Here’s a quick guide to cyber security in the smart home.
A quick smart home 101
In a properly installed smart home, devices connect and communicate with each other so they can work together to automate tasks and employ routines and scenes.
Best practice sees this internal communication within a smart home happen on a mesh network like Z-Wave.
Instead of utilising a router which is connected to the internet to relay information to each other, mesh networks allow this communication to occur independently.
Basically, every device on a mesh network can talk to each other directly wherever they are on this network and this can occur with or without internet access. As every point on a mesh network creates an extra communication path, every time you add a device, the network becomes stronger.
These devices then communicate with a hub that can tell them what to do, while also allowing the homeowner to set scenes and see what state every device is in.
The security of Z-Wave
One of the major advantages of Z-Wave is that it offers superior security.
It is renowned for its encryption and highly-secure authentication protocols.
The Z-Wave Alliance explains a little more about how this security works…
“A Z-Wave smart home network has a unique ID that it assigns to every device in the network, and that ID is different for every hub so your neighbour’s smart hub cannot control your devices.
“When an extra level of security is needed, such as for door locks and other high security devices, Z-Wave has another level of security which uses AES128 encryption at the same level that major banks use to protect your financial information.
“Z-Wave AES encryption is supported by most Z-Wave hubs today and is required on all hubs with the Z-WavePlus mark on them.”
This hub then connects to the internet so a smart home can be controlled externally using smart phones, apps and voice command.
And, it’s here, when the smart home has access to the greater Internet, that security really needs to kick in.
Firewalls, passwords and protocols
In addition to mesh networks which feature their own levels of security and encryption, a smart home needs to be protected at the point the internet is accessed in the home.
This comes down to utilising firewalls, passwords and protocols that protect home from outside threats.
And in many ways, this should be considered in the same way as the physical security you employ in the home.
The aim is to limit the access points or doorways that an intruder might use to gain entry to a house, and then put all your efforts into protecting any remaining access areas using the best methods available.
In a nutshell, a firewall is a system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external network, such as the Internet.
So using the analogy above, a firewall is like a locked door complete with peephole. You can see who’s at the door and deny or grant them entry depending on their intent and whether you trust them.
Lera’s approach to security
At Lera, our reputation rests on the security, convenience and usability or our smart homes.
With extensive backgrounds in IT, networking, and electrical, we understand the importance of security and know the industry best-practice required to minimise and eliminate cyber security threats.
As Lera founder Ben Lee explains, the security of any smart home s dependent on the installer.
“If you use the right installer you won’t have an issue with smart home security.
“We know how to set up strong passwords. We know how to establish firewalls. We know how to make your system secure and safe. And our master licences reflect that.
“The products that we’ve chosen and use have also done that research into security, so we are confident in the security of your smart home.”
The security takeaway
It’s true, protecting your smart against cyber security threats should be a priority. But it’s also where best practice and suitably qualified installers come into play.
That’s why you should take the time to select the right installer, check their track record and their experience, and question them about the cyber security methods they use.
This research into installers should be conducted in the knowledge smart homes are part IT and networking, part knowledge of the most secure products and techniques available, and part installation of a smart home that is going to meet your needs.
At Lera, we meet all of those criteria, bringing IT and networking backgrounds o the table, extensive knowledge of smart home products and best practice, electrical qualifications and a reputation for designing and installing smart homes that not only withstand cyber security threats, they also stand the test of time.
About Lera Smart Home Solutions
Lera Smart Home Solutions is a leading installer of smart home technology in the greater Sydney region. Our team boasts over 20 years’ experience in IT networking, programming and the electrical industry.
We have sourced the most reliable and cost efficient solutions from around the world to provide the very best in smart home solutions, and work with our clients to understand their needs.
You can learn more about transforming your house into a smart home here, access our smart home calculators here or contact us directly for further advice.
Katika miaka ya hivi karibuni kumekuwa na mazungumzo mengi juu ya usalama wa mtandao wa nyumba za smart, na watu wengi chini ya ufahamu mbaya kwamba kwa sababu tu nyumba yako inapata mtandao, vifaa vya smart nyumbani ndani yake vinaweza kuwa chini ya hacking na tishio. Kwa kweli, kuhakikisha usalama wa mtandao wa nyumba yako ya smart ni sawa na kuhakikisha usalama wa jumla wa nyumba yako. Inahusisha kutekeleza mazoea bora, kuelewa tishio na kufanya kazi ili kuondoa. Na hilo sikuzote hutegemea ufungaji unaofaa. Hapa ni mwongozo wa haraka wa usalama wa mtandao katika nyumba smart. Nyumba ya Smart: Nyumba ya Smart ni nyumba ya smart ambayo vifaa vinaweza kuunganishwa na kuwasiliana ili kuweza kufanya kazi pamoja na kufanya kazi kwa njia ya moja kwa moja na kutumia utaratibu na matukio. Mazoea bora huona mawasiliano haya ya ndani ndani ya nyumba ya akili kutokea kwenye mtandao wa mesh kama Z-Wave. Badala ya kutumia router ambayo ni kushikamana na mtandao wa kuhamisha habari kwa kila mmoja, mitandao mesh kuruhusu mawasiliano haya kutokea kwa kujitegemea. Kwa mfano, kila kifaa kwenye mtandao wa mesh kinaweza kuwasiliana moja kwa moja na kila mmoja, na hii inaweza kutokea na au bila upatikanaji wa mtandao. Kila hatua kwenye mtandao wa mesh huunda njia ya ziada ya mawasiliano, kila wakati unapoongeza kifaa, mtandao unakuwa na nguvu zaidi. Vifaa hivi kisha kuwasiliana na kitovu kwamba inaweza kuwaambia nini cha kufanya, wakati pia kuruhusu mmiliki wa nyumba kuweka matukio na kuona nini hali kila kifaa ni katika. Usalama wa Z-Wave Moja ya faida kuu ya Z-Wave ni kwamba inatoa usalama bora. Ni maarufu kwa encryption yake na protocols salama sana uthibitisho. Z-Wave ni mtandao wa nyumbani wa Z-Wave, ambayo inatoa kitambulisho cha kipekee kwa kila kifaa katika mtandao, na kitambulisho hicho ni tofauti kwa kila kitovu, kwa hivyo kitovu cha jirani yako hakiwezi kudhibiti vifaa vyako. Wakati kiwango cha ziada cha usalama kinahitajika, kama vile kwa kufuli za milango na vifaa vingine vya usalama wa juu, Z-Wave ina kiwango kingine cha usalama ambacho hutumia encryption ya AES128 katika kiwango sawa na benki kuu hutumia kulinda habari yako ya kifedha. Z-Wave AES encryption inasaidia zaidi ya Z-Wave hubs leo na inahitajika kwenye hubs zote na Z-WavePlus alama juu yao. hub hii kisha kuunganisha kwa mtandao hivyo smart nyumbani inaweza kudhibitiwa nje kwa kutumia simu smart, programu na amri ya sauti. Na, ni hapa, wakati nyumba smart ina upatikanaji wa Internet kubwa, kwamba usalama kweli anahitaji kick katika. Firewalls, Nambari za siri na Mikataba: Kwa kuongezea mitandao ya mesh ambayo ina viwango vyake vya usalama na encryption, nyumba ya akili inahitaji kulindwa wakati mtandao unapatikana nyumbani. Hii inakuja chini ya kutumia firewalls, nywila na itifaki ambayo kulinda nyumbani kutoka vitisho nje. Kwa njia nyingi, hii inapaswa kuchukuliwa kwa njia ile ile kama usalama wa kimwili unaotumia nyumbani. Lengo ni kupunguza pointi za ufikiaji au milango ambayo mpinzani anaweza kutumia kuingia ndani ya nyumba, na kisha kuweka juhudi zako zote katika kulinda maeneo yoyote ya ufikiaji yaliyobaki kwa kutumia mbinu bora zinazopatikana. Firewall ni mfumo wa ufuatiliaji na udhibiti wa trafiki ya mtandao inayoingia na inayoondoka kulingana na sheria za usalama zilizowekwa mapema. Inaanzisha kizuizi kati ya mtandao wa ndani wa kuaminika na mtandao wa nje usioaminika, kama vile mtandao. Kwa hiyo kutumia ulinganifu hapo juu, firewall ni kama mlango uliofungwa kamili na peephole. Unaweza kuona ni nani aliye mlangoni na kumkataa au kumpa kuingia kulingana na nia yao na kama unawaamini. Lera's mbinu ya usalama Katika Lera, sifa yetu inategemea usalama, urahisi na usability au nyumba zetu smart. Kwa kuwa tuna uzoefu mkubwa katika IT, mitandao na umeme, tunaelewa umuhimu wa usalama na tunajua mazoea bora ya sekta inayohitajika kupunguza na kuondoa vitisho vya usalama wa mtandao. Kama mwanzilishi wa Lera Ben Lee anaelezea, usalama wa nyumba yoyote smart s inategemea installer. <unk>Kama wewe kutumia haki installer wewe si<unk>t kuwa na tatizo na usalama smart nyumbani. <unk>Tunajua jinsi ya kuanzisha nywila zenye nguvu. Tunajua jinsi ya kuanzisha firewalls. Tunajua jinsi ya kufanya mfumo wako salama na salama. Na leseni zetu za usimamizi zinaonyesha hilo. "Bidhaa ambazo tumechagua na kutumia pia zimefanya utafiti huo wa usalama, kwa hivyo tuna uhakika katika usalama wa nyumba yako ya akili. ""Kuchukua usalama ni kweli, kulinda smart yako dhidi ya vitisho vya usalama wa mtandao inapaswa kuwa kipaumbele." Lakini pia ni ambapo mazoezi bora na installers suitably waliohitimu kuja katika kucheza. Hiyo ndiyo sababu unapaswa kuchukua muda wa kuchagua installer haki, kuangalia rekodi yao na uzoefu wao, na kuuliza yao kuhusu mbinu za usalama wa mtandao wao kutumia. Utafiti huu wa wawekaji unapaswa kufanywa katika maarifa ya nyumba za akili ni sehemu ya IT na mitandao, sehemu ya maarifa ya bidhaa na mbinu salama zaidi zinazopatikana, na sehemu ya ufungaji wa nyumba ya akili ambayo itakidhi mahitaji yako. Katika Lera, tunakidhi vigezo vyote, kuleta IT na mtandao wa nyuma, maarifa ya kina ya bidhaa za nyumba za smart na mazoezi bora, sifa za umeme na sifa ya kubuni na kufunga nyumba za smart ambazo hazivumilii tu vitisho vya usalama wa mtandao, lakini pia zinasimama mtihani wa wakati. Lera Smart Home Solutions ni kampuni ya kuongoza ya teknolojia ya nyumba ya smart katika eneo kubwa la Sydney. Timu yetu ina uzoefu wa zaidi ya miaka 20 katika mtandao wa IT, programu na sekta ya umeme. Tumepata suluhisho za kuaminika na za gharama nafuu kutoka ulimwenguni kote ili kutoa bora zaidi katika suluhisho la nyumba ya akili, na kufanya kazi na wateja wetu kuelewa mahitaji yao. Unaweza kujifunza zaidi kuhusu jinsi ya kugeuza nyumba yako kuwa nyumba ya akili hapa, kupata calculators zetu za nyumba ya akili hapa au kuwasiliana nasi moja kwa moja kwa ushauri zaidi.