Futuristic Home Security Technology is Here Now

January 2, 2016

By Dr. Rob Longwell

The need for security is as old the history of man. But recently  some truly amazing hi-tech sophisticated solutions have been developed  to guard our homes and business. Some of these devices even surpass 20^th century sci-fi fantasies.

Home security has been a growing industry for years. For the past hundreds of years, standalone security has relied on mechanical devices like padlocks and pin tumbler locks. In the 1700s, lock makers had to become increasingly sophisticated because Criminals began learning the skill of lock-picking.

What once was futuristic is now becoming common in home security.

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Early security systems involved bells on a door or cans tied to a string that made a loud sound when a door was opened. These were effective until someone figured out how easy they were to remove.

The predecessor of the security systems we know today came about by tying a pair of wires to the localpolice station's alarm panel via telephone lines. Ultimately, this system was updated and they became the norm in households everywhere. Today, wireless security systems are popular, easy to install and don't rely on a hard-wired phone line.

Security cameras took security to a whole new level. Originally they were simply surveillance. When the video cassette came along, surveillance cameras were adopted by businesses. Today, the Internet and wireless devices have reduced the cost of materials and installation. As a result, home security camera systems are no longer considered a luxury.

Early motion detectors that were part of alarm systemhardware relied on sound waves to detect changes in an environment. This meant regular household sounds like the swishing of a dishwasher or the ca-chunk of a heater kicking on set it off and caused a lot of false alarms.

Infrared technology eventually replaced the ultrasound, and now it's most commonly found in motion detector floodlights. Motion detectors sense the presence of body heat and reward the intruders with a bright spotlight in their eyes.

In science fiction retina scans became a symbol of the future. Now that technology actually exists today, even on common cell phones. It's called biometrics. In addition to your eyes, it can scan your fingerprints or recognize your voice. Digital door locks with integrated internet and cameras offer a an easy and affordable home security option. Digital door locks can be opened with an electronic "smart key" or a remote, or you can open them by typing numbers on a pin pad. These locks are almost impossible to pick.

From door locks to digital entry, here are the top new innovations in home security

Frontpoint

Frontpoint is one of the leading wireless home security system providers in the nation. Let's take a look at Frontpoint's equipment and service and see how they stack up against other home security options.

At the heart of the Frontpoint system is GE Security wireless equipment. There are a variety of sensor types you can have with the system, including:

• Door sensors
• Window sensors
• Glass break sensors
• Smoke detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Motion detectors
• and more

Each of the wireless sensors communicates with the control panel to create the secure area. The sensors are high-quality, tamper-resistant, and difficult (if not impossible) to disable.

The control panel gets regular signals from the sensors. Depending on the configuration of your system, you might have more than just one control panel, but one is fairly common.

Monitoring and response

When the Frontpoint control panel gets a tripped alarm signal from one of the sensors, it immediately sends a secure signal via the cellular network to the monitoring center. That signal is encrypted, meaning that it's almost impossible to disrupt it.

You have your choice of monitoring packages from Frontpoint. There are monitoring plans for a number of contingencies, including burglar, fire, and more.With the Interactive Monitoring plan, you can add another layer of protection. The system can be configured to send you a text (SMS) message whenever it detects a triggered alarm.

Frontpoint's alert system is fast. Many traditional home security systems have a delay between the time the alarm is triggered and the time they receive the signal. During that delay, a burglar could compromise the system, preventing a singal from being sent.  With Frontpoint, a signal is sent every time a door is open when the system is armed. It then gets a signal when you disarm, as well. If they don't get the disarm signal, they know something is up.

Frontpoint will even work for a home that doesn't have a landline for telephone service. It can use an all-cellular signal and VoIP technology to keep your system humming right along.

Add in the remote access technologies that the system offers, and you have some of the latest advances in home security. You can actually view the real-time status of your home security system via a smartphone app, giving you instant access to your home's information.

ADT

ADT seems determined to offer customers the greatest sense of security and value possible. For over a century, ADT has provided 24/7 coverage to all sorts of homes and businesses, completely revolutionizing home security equipment in the process. Giving you up-to-the-minute status reportsand total control over your security system with ADT Pulse, the company can offer security and comfort.

Vivint

Vivint is a relatively new name in the home security system marketplace, but the solutions they provide have been around a while. Vivint used to be known as APX Alarm Security Solutions, but in 2011 they decided to seek investment funding and expand their home security business into the home control market. This has only enhanced their position in home security.

Protection 1

Protection 1 offers home and business security systems including intrusion detectors for homes and businesses; cellular backup allowing wireless signals when land based phone lines are disabled or unavailable; and wireless security systems. The company also offers LifeLock Identity Theft Protection, a variety of controls and keypads for home security systems, wireless smoke detectors, and the eSecure option that allows remote home security monitoring from smart phones or computers