Consumer IoT in smart homes is rapidly expanding throughout the world. This demand translates into an exciting prognosis, with worldwide consumer expenditure on smart home systems expected to top $170 billion by 2025 according to McKinsey’s report. People use consumer IoT to make daily routines easier, faster, and more personalized. Smart thermostats, lighting, security systems, and voice assistants are changing how we use our houses. In this article, we’ll look at the influence of consumer IoT in smart homes and how it’s affecting how we live, with a particular emphasis on security issues.
What are smart homes?
Smart homes are equipped with devices and systems that automate and regulate various functions such as lighting, temperature, security, and entertainment. These devices and systems are controllable through smartphones, tablets, or voice commands.
Smart devices can use the internet to connect with their central unit or directly with the controlling application. WiFi and Bluetooth devices are also very common, but other technologies, such as Zigbee or Zwave, are also used in these devices.
The positive impact of smart homes with consumer IoT
Smart homes provide convenience, comfort, security, and energy efficiency with more connected devices. Moreover, smart home technology lets people remotely manage lighting, temperature, and more.
Homeowners can schedule tasks, and remotely monitor their houses with cameras and sensors. Smart houses encourage resource conservation, waste reduction, and healthy living. In the next section, you can learn in-depth about the benefits of consumer IoT in smart homes.
Energy efficiency
Consumer IoT in smart homes is paving the way for energy-efficient living. With the integration of smart devices such as thermostats, lights, and plugs, homeowners can reduce their energy consumption and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The ability of these devices to automatically turn off appliances and lights when not in use is one of the key features of smart homes.
Water conservation
Consumer IoT in smart homes can save water in multiple ways. Smart irrigation systems, for instance, adjust watering schedules based on weather and soil moisture to save water and prevent plants from being overwatered.
Waste reduction
Smart home IoT can improve food waste management. Smart refrigerators reduce food waste through inventory control, expiration dates, and ingredient-based recipes. This technology lets consumers check refrigerator contents and temperature remotely that in the long run will improve sustainable consumption.
Indoor air quality
IoT in smart homes can enhance indoor air quality by monitoring and managing ventilation, heating, and cooling systems. Smart sensors can detect and notify inhabitants to high levels of pollutants, while smart air purifiers and humidifiers may be triggered automatically to ensure ideal air quality.
Security
Consumer IoT devices improve home security, deadbolts, and alarms. They let homeowners monitor their premises and get real-time notifications for suspicious activities like motion or unwanted entrance. Smart lighting and motion sensors may make the house seem occupied even when no one is around. Lastly, the remote control lets homeowners monitor their homes while away, reducing theft and damage.
The negative impact of consumer IoT in smart homes
Although consumer IoT in smart homes can provide many positive changes, it also has negative impacts, such as environmental harm, e-waste, and cybersecurity issues.
E-waste
Smart home consumer IoT can increase e-waste due to battery use. These batteries increase greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption during manufacturing, transportation, and disposal. Based on Cordis’ forecast, up to 78 million batteries will be discarded every day by 2025. Therefore, recycling these batteries and devices to protect the environment is crucial.
Data centers
Smart home IoT is powered by cloud data centers. Powering and cooling these data center computers requires a lot of energy and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. To address this, data centers should adopt energy-efficient technology and strategies to reduce their environmental impact.
The most sensitive concern: security
Illegal device access is a major smart home security issue. Cybercriminals may attack internet-connected smart home devices. An attacker with access to a smart home device might steal personal data, remotely control devices, or even injure someone. If unauthorized individuals access any encrypted information, it may be used for malicious purposes such as identity theft or stalking.
For the solution
Consumer IoT devices are becoming more popular, raising security issues. This triggered the creation of the first worldwide cybersecurity standard for consumer IoT devices which is called ETSI EN 303 645. The standard protects connected devices against common cybersecurity risks and large-scale assaults. By being compliant with the standard, certified IoT devices become privacy-protected, giving users trust in their devices.
To protect customers and their IoT devices, cybersecurity must be prioritized. The ETSI EN 303 645 standards can serve as an important step towards achieving this goal.
Summary
Consumer IoT in smart homes improves our lives with comfort, security, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. Smart homes and refrigerators save energy and food waste. Consumer IoT in smart homes improves our lives and will certainly bring further innovations.
It is critical for smart device manufacturers and designers to develop smart devices that are not only compatible with international regulations but also equipped to withstand any cybersecurity threat. It is essential for these manufacturers to collaborate with a certified lab, such as CCLab, to carry out the evaluation and certification of these smart devices. CCLab offers Common Criteria evaluation and consultancy to fully secure IoT smart home devices.
