Smarter homes need smarter security

As homes across the UAE and the GCC region continue to evolve and adopt various smart home technologies ranging from temperature controls, lighting, and connectivity between home appliances, experts have pointed to a need for greater security.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Intersec 2019 exhibition, which will open at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, Arunkumar Janarthanan, associate director at Frost & Sullivan, said that there has been a steady increase in the adoption of smart home technologies across the UAE.
"We are currently witnessing ongoing developments that are set to change connected homes into truly smart homes. The next step in this evolution will be the fully intelligent home. Automation is becoming increasingly important, with the availability of solutions from Amazon and Google, and more participants in this ecosystem. This overall trend bodes well for the smart homes market, because customers owning one smart home device are very likely to purchase another," he said.
He also noted that the Middle East smart homes market was estimated to be worth around $785 million in 2018. The primary drivers for this huge market are the increasing acceptance of new products along with the safety and comfort features in those products. Affordability of home automation systems has also resulted in higher demand. Smart technologies and digital lifestyle per square feet will be a key future concept in many homes.
The interest in smart homes has also created a demand for more improved security in smart home systems, which will be highlighted the 21st edition of the Intersec exhibition. Live-action firefighting and emergency rescue operations, drone demonstrations, and a revamped conference discussing Artificial Intelligence, safety planning for cities of the future, and securing the Dubai Expo 2020, are some key features of this year's event.
"We are constantly looking at ways to meet market needs. From cloud-based advanced video analytics to integrated smart city technologies, or the world's top fire-service vehicles and high-rise firefighting lifts, Intersec 2019 will put the spotlight on the latest global solutions that are moving the needle in keeping our societies safe and secure," said Andreas Rex, Intersec's show director.
"Technology continues to advance and change, and, in so doing, it advances and changes the perimeters of law enforcement and other professions in criminology and criminal justice," said Brig. Doctor Mohammed Butti Al Shamsi of the Dubai Police.
"We believe that security is a global concern today, and that the technical community has an obligation to provide solutions to platforms that enforce security. Without this support, it will be very difficult for security agencies to identify threats and respond appropriately. Dubai Police has a target to be the smartest police force in the world, and, in this regard, the wise leadership of the UAE has spared no expense or effort in adopting the latest security technology to ensure the safety and security of the UAE's residents and visitors," he said.
- rohma@khaleejtimes.com