There’s security relating to the Internet of
Things and then there’s the other side of security, relating to someone’s physical home.
While some consumers are moving to smart devices inside their houses, they also are
migrating to connected technology that enables someone to get in – or not get in – to that same house.
Despite the relatively high cost, 2 million smart door locks will be sold by
2021, according to a new study by Parks Associates.
Annual sales from the devices will increase from $207 million this year to pass $357 million within five years, with the adoption rate
increasing more than 75% from this year.
However, half of consumers view smart door locks and smart video doorbells as too expensive, according to Parks Associates, pegging the average price
of a smart door lock at $220 compared to non-connected locks for $80 to $100.
There also are the obvious concerns about the other security, relating to concerns that connected devices
can be hacked, causing the defeat of the purpose of the lock.
A third (34%) of U.S. broadband households already report problems with smart home devices, according to the study.
While
20% of broadband households express a desire for a smart appliance, adoption is at only 5%.
The issue of security, whether involving door locks or other smart home devices, is front and center
in the Internet of Things.