Smart Home Security Land Grab will Drive Security Monitoring Services into 15 Million More U.S. Homes by 2020

​A growing roster of smart home services and device providers are using home security monitoring as a beachhead to introduce home automation services. In the key U.S. market, a bellwether for developed markets around the world, some 15 million more U.S. homes will invest in new connected home security services in the next 5 years, according to ABI Research.

“After decades where penetration into U.S. households stalled, home security adoption is set for significant growth. However, it will not be the sole preserve of traditional professionally monitored home security providers. Consumers can now choose from an array of non-traditional suppliers, new technologies, and innovative services that balance value with cost,” says Jonathan Collins, Principal Analyst.

Through managed smart home offerings from retailers such as Lowes and Staples as well as standalone devices such as video cameras from Dropcam, or smart locks from Kwikset, consumers increasingly have the option to install and monitor their own security systems. Demand for such smart home systems will outpace those for traditional professional monitored security subscriptions as, among other attractions, they ditch the installation fees, monthly payments and long service contracts of the traditional offerings.

At the same time, professionally monitored security service providers such as Frontpoint Security and NextAlarm offer solutions where users self-install their devices, or can integrate existing dormant installations into new IP based services. “Self-install and self-monitor home security solutions are real threats to the standard business models offered by traditional vendors,” says Dan Shey, Practice Director at ABI Research. “While matching these solutions is one option, traditional vendors need to look for ways to better integrate their core services with partner smart home services. These can range from call-center monitoring as a plug-in service to bringing home video monitoring into the call center.”

The latest report, Home Security Services Evolution: Staying Relevant in the IoT World, from ABI Research’s Smart Home Market Research,examines the U.S. marketplace for home security products and services and sets out the key options and opportunities within the market over the next 5 years.

ABI Research provides technology market research and technology intelligence for industry innovators. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.