BY GAD WESONGA
The threat of criminal activities targeting urban homes in Kenya continues to linger. According to many security industry reports, burglary and theft targeting electronic items is prevalent. Other residual threats include theft by servant, rape and domestic violence. The 2020 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) report indicates that these attacks can occur any time and in any location.
The implosion in home based internet activities triggered by COVID-19 such as online learning, shopping, trading, entertainment and work from home models have potential to spike cyber security threats at home too. While acts of terrorism are yet to be reported in Kenyan home situation, it always remains a probability especially in residential areas with heavy presence of foreign nationals. As such, the issue of home security comes into sharp focus especially during the festive seasons and during this period when massive loss of livelihoods through rampant redundancies due to pandemic effects are prone to aggravate the situation as some people may resort to criminal practises to fill the gaps.
Technological Security Solutions
The concept of smart home security solutions is premised on technological driven measures to ameliorate security risks at home. Some of these solutions include Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Alarms systems, Safes, Automated Gates and Smoke Screen Security Systems.
CCTV involves use of video cameras in signal transmission to specified gadgets for monitoring. Lately, there has been an upsurge in the use of CCTV systems around the world. Benefits of CCTV use include deterrence, intelligence gathering and identification of criminals. CCTV technology is also operationally efficient since it can be used to remotely monitor homes rather than use of conventional guarding. It can also be used in management of home-confined patients with special health conditions that require remote surveillance.
CCTV systems that have analytics can identify abnormalities in situations and proactively flag for intervention to monitoring stations such as phones and control rooms. This smart approach enables timely risk attenuation in matters such as domestic violence and child abuse. The alarm triggers once a threshold of certain characteristics is attained as per the settings and invites associated response teams such as police, contracted private security firm, neighbours, employers, parents or community policing response teams for places with robust local community policing programs.
Alarm, smoke screen, safes and automated gate security solutions
According to Law Insider, an alarm system is a devise or devises interconnected with radio frequency method to emit or transmit a remote or local audible, visual or electronic signal indicating an alarm condition whose characteristics fit in defined behaviour pattern that require intervention. Various forms of alarm systems fall into this category. For instance, an intruder alarm system is designed to detect intrusion into a protected space such as homes. The alarm acts as an early warning of a potential threat. In many parts of Nairobi for instance, several security companies provide 24/7 monitoring and a National Command & Control Centre that will dispatch mobile response teams and call property owners in the event of alarm activation.
Another category is the panic alarms systems, which are manually operated devices linked with a siren for local alerts or a covert connection to a service provider with mobile response capabilities. They could be fixed or wireless/mobile. Fire alarm systems on the other hand are designed to detect smoke, heat, and gas in a prescribed location and promptly activate an audible alarm for home evacuation. Additionally, the system can automatically initiate countermeasures such as a sprinkler system to suppress the fire. It can also be linked to the local fire authorities for support.
Just like CCTV, alarms are also designed to invite associated response mechanism for mitigation such as police, contracted private security providers, neighbours, employers, parents or community policing response teams. They can also be customized to initiate ambulance medical emergency responses in homes. This is particularly important in curfew situations where only emergency service providers are permitted to operate after certain hours like has happened in many countries across the world as part of the wider movement restrictions towards Covid-9 containment.
Smoke Screen Security Systems is another smart home security solution. This system insulates homes against burglary and criminal violation by emitting thick smoke that conceals valuables by blurring the vision of the intruder. It can also disrupt an intruder so that they flee before stealing.
On the other hand, home safes enhance the security of valuables such as money and electronics at home. Considering that break-in/attempted break in/theft accounts for leading criminal incidents in urban areas, safes would provide a smart way to limit the success of these criminal missions.
This system is also called electric or remote gates and operates by sliding on a rail installed at entrances such that wheels fitted on the gate slide along the rail while opening or closing. The system can be operated using a remote or a phone. This smart home security system helps in quick entry and exit especially in emergency situations. It also provides convenience in usage and allows the guards to undertake patrols instead of staying stationery to open and close the gates. This system is safe in case the guard has been compromised and is stress free during adverse weather conditions like rain.
Cyber security
The recent onset of Covid-19 health pandemic has redefined human behaviour which has limited physical human activities and interaction as much as possible. As such, many of the activities such as shopping, schooling, entertainment and even official work are done at home using technology. This evolving trend comes with increased cyber security threats knocking on home doorsteps.
According to Norton Security, Cybercriminals attacks occur by targeting computer networks or devices with the modus operand ranging from security breaches, identity theft, revenge porn, cyber-stalking, harassment, bullying, and child sexual exploitation.
Some of the mitigations against home cyber security threats include use of a full-service internet security suite, using strong passwords, avoidance of repeating passwords on different sites, and changing of passwords regularly. Passwords also need to be complex by using a combination of at least 10 letters, numbers, and symbols with a password management application can help keep passwords locked down.
Cybercriminals frequently use known exploits or flaws in the software to gain access to systems. Patching these exploits and flaws provide mitigation against cybercrime target. Cybercriminals also get personal information with a few data points thus the need to manage your social media settings as a protection and keeping personal and private information wrapped up. The less shared publicly the better.
It is advisable to strengthen home security network with a strong encryption password as well as a virtual private network (VPN). This will encrypt all traffic leaving home devices until it arrives at its destination.
Cyber security awareness to children is important for them to understand acceptable use of the internet without shutting down communication channels. They should also be encouraged to report online harassment, stalking, or bullying.
Challenges
Notable challenges associated with smart home security solutions are cost, technical skill limitations and in infrastructural related challenges. Most of the technological security solutions attract costs for purchase and subsequent maintenance. Smart security solutions also require appropriate knowledge and skills for installation and periodic maintenance. This brings a challenge where these skills are limited or missing as the system may break down.
Most of smart home security systems also require electricity and internet. Unfortunately, power blackout is common occurrence in Kenya. This fluctuation adversely affects the performance, durability and reliability of the smart security systems.
Despite the above challenges, smart security home solutions presents realistic mitigation measures in combating the residual and ever evolving security threats directed at homes in Kenya especially in urban areas.
