Smart home enthusiasts and early tech adopters appreciate electronic entry systems. In a typical American home, this means a smart lock with access via PIN codes or biometric signals. A smart lock represents a highly sophisticated way to control access to a home without requiring mechanical keys. However, even the most sophisticated home automation devices come with vulnerabilities. Smart locks are no exception.
Vulnerabilities do not make a home automation device worthless. But they do dictate building redundancy into the system. More redundancy means fewer problems across the entire home automation spectrum.
Smart Locks: Common Vulnerabilities
Smart locks can completely replace traditional handles and deadbolt locks. Access using a PIN code is as simple as punching in a 4- or 6-digit code to disengage the lock. Locks utilizing biometric signals typically rely on fingerprint or retina scans. Some use facial recognition.
Despite the amazing things smart locks can do, they suffer from four common vulnerabilities:
- Dead Batteries – Smart locks need power to work. And because running wires through the doorframe and into the door is impractical, these devices depend on battery power. When a battery goes dead, a smart lock cannot be accessed as normal.
- Power Outages – Smart locks with remote access rely on a home’s local network. Power outages knock out home networks, making access impossible until the network is restored.
- Connectivity Issues – Even when the power is on, smart locks occasionally experience connectivity issues. This is true whether a device connects over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, etc.
- Ghost Codes – Issuing too many PIN codes to too many people can lead to ghost codes floating around for years. Ghost codes are an open invitation to unauthorized entry.
Each of these potential problems is minor on its own. But combined, they can make smart locks quite vulnerable under the right conditions. That brings us to the idea of redundancy.
Building a Redundant System
When a consumer invests in a smart home system from a brand like Vivint Home Security, there is the expectation of built-in redundancy. Smart home providers incorporate backup systems to minimize potential customer issues. But if you are building your own home automation system from scratch, redundancy is up to you.
Here are redundancy suggestions for smart locks:
- Keyed Access – First and foremost is insisting on smart locks that still offer keyed access. Most do, but some do not. Installing a smart lock without keyed access is just asking for trouble.
- Backup Access – It is not a bad idea to invest in a smart lock with backup access capabilities. If your fingerprint scan fails to work, you can still enter a 4-digit PIN code, for example.
- Battery Backup – Redundancy calls for supporting your local network with a battery backup. If the power does go out, your network will continue to function.
- Multiple Entry Points – Never rely exclusively on a single entry point with a smart lock. You should always have multiple entry points into your home, with at least one that can be accessed manually.
- Regular Reminders – Using your digital calendar, smart speaker, or other means, set up automatic reminders to check smart lock batteries. Plan to replace batteries at least once per year, maybe more.
It is true that smart locks come with their own vulnerabilities. Every home automation device does. But that does not make home automation a bad thing. It simply means that smart homeowners will build redundancy into their home automation systems. Vulnerabilities can be overcome with the right tools and strategies, even when those vulnerabilities are linked to the brand-new smart lock you just installed.
