Think in layers
Good security is several small things working together: lighting, locks, cameras and alerts. No single device does it all.
Start at the doors
Cover the front door, back door and garage entry first. A video doorbell and a smart lock are a powerful pair.
Cameras that help
Place cameras to see entries and approaches, not everything. Use motion zones to avoid false alerts.
Secure your network
Cameras and locks depend on your network. Use strong passwords, keep devices updated and separate smart devices from your personal devices.
- Use a separate network for smart devices
- Change default passwords
- Keep firmware updated
- Use a reliable wired network for cameras
Share access wisely
Give family and guests their own codes so you can end access without changing locks.
Alerts that help
The best alerts are few and meaningful: a door left unlocked at night, water detected, a camera seeing a person at the back door at 2 AM. Too many alerts get ignored. We set motion zones and schedules so the important ones stand out.
When the internet is down
Local recording, battery backup for the network and cameras, and locks that still work with codes keep security working through outages. See storm season.
Monitoring
Professional alarm monitoring adds someone who calls for help. Cameras and smart locks complement monitoring, and Control4 can bring them together in one app. See Control4 security.
Common questions
What should I install first?
A video doorbell and smart lock at the main entry, then cameras on other doors and approaches.