Parks Finds Smart Home Device Security Concerns Prevalent Among Broadband Homes

Nearly half of U.S. broadband homes have privacy or security concerns about smart home devices, said Parks Associates in a report. “Recent high-profile media reports of hacks into smart baby monitors and connected cars, whether valid or not, have heightened consumer concerns over privacy and security for connected home systems,” Parks said. “Companies need to move quickly to reinforce the security of their solutions as well as ensure the consumer’s right to privacy.” Finding the “right balance” between ease of use and security “is a challenge in designing and deploying smart home products,” it said. Consumers don’t want password protections “just to turn on a light, so the market needs solutions that are cross-platform and user friendly,” it said. “Consumers expect convenience and control both with their smart devices and the data that the devices produce.”