Cybersecurity experts who once focused on computer safety have turned their attention to smart home security. Today’s homes can feature a dozen or more “smart” devices in living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and even the garage.
As Americans gravitate toward smart home technology, businesses also are incorporating smart devices into the workplace. That introduces an additional layer of security for devices that were once just connected to a power outlet. Now they’re also connected to the internet… and potentially cybercriminals.
John Joyce, co-owner of CRS Technology Consultants, recently shared smart home security tips during a TechBytes segment on Gulf Coast ABC (formerly ABC7). He offered a warning to anyone who has a smart device at home or in the office.
“Can it be hacked?” he asked rhetorically. “Yes, anything by nature if it’s smart, it’s connected. And if it’s connected, it’s exposed.”
What are Smart Devices?
Tech consumers often ask what makes a product “smart.” A smart device has the ability to connect and interact with at least one other device. The key to being “smart” is being able to adapt.
A decade ago, tech manufacturers began tossing around the term ‘smart’ to describe their devices.
“At the end of the day, it’s a buzzword like everything else,” John says. “Today, we slap ‘AI’ on the side of a box because we want to sell things. A few years back, ‘smart’ was the word you put on things.”
A smart device has three primary abilities:
- Ability to connect to the internet through a wireless or wired connection.
- Ability to be programmed by a human.
- Ability to be controlled remotely through another device or app.
“It really kind of kicked off 10 or so years back when smart TVs were all the rage,” John says. “Before that, you bought a TV and plugged a bunch of stuff into it. Smart TVs are connected TVs, which means they get on the internet.”
Today, more than 70% of U.S. households have at least one smart TV, according to Nielsen.
Smart TVs are far from the only smart devices in today’s homes, though. Below is a list of smart products found in many homes:
- Thermostats
- Security cameras (Ring or Nest doorbells)
- Speakers (Amazon Echo, Google Nest Hub)
- Robot vacuums
- Major appliances: refrigerators, ovens, washer/dryer
- Kitchen appliances: coffee maker
- Wearables: smart watches, smart glasses
Even the garage is home to a smart device. All vehicles manufactured today are smart devices because of driver-assist systems, anti-lock brakes and other software upgrades.
Nearly every modern home is a smart home. The same holds true for offices.
“Once upon a time, it was kind of a techie, nerdy thing to do,” John says. “Now, it’s kind of the norm.”
READ MORE: 2025 Tech Trends: AI and Smart Devices
Smart Home Security Risks
The ability to control smart devices remotely through an app is a convenience. Modern conveniences, though, come with risks.
“We’re introducing little opportunities for risk each time, and we have to think about those risks, and do the smart home smartly,” John says. “It starts with the network. Secure it.”
During the Gulf Coast ABC segment, John referenced instances of cybercriminals hacking into security camera systems and actually communicating with homeowners. Cameras in the home or workplace provide reassurance, but also provide an opportunity for hackers.
“We all feel a sense of security that comes from those cameras,” John says. “We want to be able to see things from the touch of a button and we feel better when we can see it. What we often don’t think about is what if someone else was able to do that?”
Creating a Secure Smart Office
CRS Technology Consultants primarily partners with businesses and nonprofit organizations. The firm applies the same smart home security principles to smart office security. John recommends that businesses adopt the following security measures to protect their smart devices and enhance overall digital security:
- Establish separate networks for smart devices and standard workplace technology, like computers.
- Encourage employees and office managers to adopt strong passwords. CRS offers best practices for setting passwords in this blog: Password Protection Tips for Businesses.
- Require the use of Mult-Factor Authentication. MFA consists of two or more forms of identity verification to gain access to a program, such as text or email confirmation. “If your password leaks, it puts in one more barrier to entry.”
- Set up Wi-Fi Protected Access. WPA and WPA2 (the newer version) provide stronger encryption and user authentication methods.
- Update operating systems. Tech manufacturers regularly issue software updates to fix bugs and combat security threats. Devices should be programmed to update automatically when a newer version is available.
Businesses should not focus on cybersecurity concerns as they relate to coffee makers or dishwashers in the office kitchen, or the robot vacuum that cleans carpets overnight. Instead, focus on devices that, if hacked, could introduce privacy or confidentiality-related concerns, like:
- Security cameras: Cybercriminals who hack into a camera system can see you, but you can’t see them.
- Printers: Many important work documents, like contracts, employee evaluations and tax forms, pass through printers.
- Computers: Laptops and desktops often have confidential information, passwords and logins saved on the hard drive, as well as the server or cloud-based storage.
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Let’s Connect
Are you looking for a smart technology partner that can secure your smart devices? Contact CRS Technology Consultants to schedule a consultation! Complete our online form, drop us an email at info@CRSTC.com or give us a call at 239-542-8450.
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