In recent years, with the technologies such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and big data entering the smart home field, all major smart home manufacturers have formed their own unique products, and have shown the trend of popularization. After more than ten years’ development, smart home industry, without a doubt, can better serve customers.

The smart home demand is increasing

Under the trend of intelligence and automation, the smart home industry has ushered in a rapid development period, and the entry of many enterprises has also made the hot smart home market continue to heat up. At the same time, with the continuous improvement of consumption levels and the rapid change of consumption concepts, the trend that smart home industry becomes personalized and fashionable is more and more obvious.

The latest research report “2018 Global Smart Home Devices Forecast”, which was launched by Global analytics research and consulting agency Strategy Analytics, pointed out that the global smart home market reached $84 billion in 2017, a 16% increase from 2016’s $72 billion. In 2018, the total consumer spending on smart home devices, systems and services will be close to $96 billion, and the compound annual growth rate during the forecast period (2018-2023) will reach 10%, reaching $155 billion, of which the Asia Pacific region will up to 26 billion US dollars.

At the same time, according to IDC statistics, global smart home equipment shipments reached 433.1 million units in 2017, an increase of 27.6% over last year. IDC also expects that the global smart home equipment market will reach 939.7 million units by 2022. This shows that the global demand for smart home is increasing and the development prospect is broad.

Information security risks cannot be ignored in the big data era

The hidden information security issues in smart home applications cannot be ignored during its development. The home is the trusted privacy area, the hotel is the semi-trusted and semi-open area, and the Internet is the untrusted open area. When data from the Internet open area enters the home or hotel area, if there is no secure defense strategy and means, the risk will invade.

At present, there are four main types of security risks in smart home:

1. Data transmission is not encrypted or simply encrypted, which results in user information leaking. (For example: data transmitted to the cloud is intercepted and copied)

2. The client APP is not securely detected, and the related code is vulnerable. (For example: take the user’s account, password, etc. through the vulnerability)

3. The hardware device has a debugging interface, using an operating system with security vulnerability or a third-party library. (Example: Intrusion device hijacks device application)

4. Remote control commands lack reinforcement authorization, and there is a risk of illegal intrusion and applications hijack. (For example, the camera is illegally used)

In order to facilitate the use of smart home and let people monitor and operate intelligent products at any time, most smart home products use remote control commands to realize people’s control of smart home products, however, it is precisely this convenient means that brings huge risks to smart home because it lacks security and defensive measure.

How to realize the security defense of smart home products

On the one hand, it is necessary to improve the security awareness of smart home product enterprise managers and designers, especially the security awareness of enterprise managers, so that in the process of smart products development, he will not only focus on product features and user experience, but also consider the users security risks and then add security defense means.

On the other hand, from the perspective of users, the security awareness of smart home products needs to be improved. Many users only pay attention to the product functions and convenience, do not want to pay for the increased costs for enterprises to improve product safety. The vicious cycle leads to manufacturers and consumers lacking product safety defense driving force. There is much regret once safety risk accident occurs.

It is worth noting that relevant information security laws & regulations and smart home industry management institutions should strengthen the escort of smart home products. The “Network Security Law” promulgated last year in China fully reflects the cybersecurity requirement from the government and people. The smart home industry management organization should also strengthen the communication and supervision of smart home enterprises to escort the information security of smart home users.

For smart home enterprises, if you want to occupy a place in the smart home market, you must solve the security defense problem, so that consumers can enjoy the convenience brought by smart home industry without worrying information security issues. By doing this, you can gain the consumer loyalty and enhance the brand influence of your company.

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