One of my extended family members bought a new house some years ago. The house came equipped with a complete home security system that had been installed by one of the biggest names in home security. However, my relative elected not to have it activated and monitored when she moved in. That is probably a good idea. Why? Because the system needs some serious upgrades.
Home security systems are a lot like computers. They can work flawlessly for years on end as long as standard maintenance advice is followed. But at some point, security devices and the software that powers them grow old and obsolete. Then what?
I am sure the system in my family member’s home would still function if she decided to activate it. At least she would get basic function. But I could almost guarantee that the most advanced functions modern security systems come with out-of-the-box would not be available to her. She would be missing out on all the latest and greatest features.
An Alarm System
I already know for sure that her old system does not match modern systems in terms of function. For instance, she has a programmable Nest thermostat that is completely independent from the rest of the system. In a modern system, both home security and automation are integrated in the same package.
Companies like Vivint Smart Home no longer sell just one or the other. Vivint packages can be equipped to include a ton of security and automation features, all fully integrated to work with one another.
If my family member were to activate her security system now, I am guessing it would be more of an alarm than anything else. She would have basic monitoring for burglary, home invasion, etc. Yet her thermostat would still operate independently. As for the security devices in her system, they are limited to window and door sensors, motion sensors, and motion activated exterior lighting.
Cameras Are Not Included
Curiously, she has no cameras hooked to her security system. I know they were once there because the mounts are still there. The previous homeowner must have taken the cameras with him when he moved out. Could my family member install new cameras? Probably, but there are no guarantees.
The system is old enough that finding compatible cameras for it might be easier said than done. If she could find suitable cameras, their functions would probably be limited by the age of the system.
It’s All About Smart These Days
What this all boils down to is the fact that modern home security systems are more than just alarms. They are smart systems that integrate with home automation features for a safer and more efficient home. The modern home security system is as smart as a home’s lighting, temperature control, and so on.
At the heart of the latest systems is artificial intelligence (AI). Manufacturers are incorporating AI in a variety of ways, the most exciting being the ability to mount sensors throughout a home so that certain devices in the system can artificially learn a homeowner’s routine. This allows the system to independently modify its own programming as needed.
For a home security system to take advantage of AI, it needs the right software. And like computers, software requires upgrades. But what if a system’s hardware does not support the latest software? Then hardware upgrades are necessary too.
If you have a home security system and you want it to offer the latest functions, you need to keep regular upgrades in mind. Consider your security system like your computer. Without upgrades, it gradually falls behind.
