Can a smart home be hacked? How to keep yours secure

The honest answer

Yes, connected devices can be compromised, just like laptops and phones. In practice, most problems come from avoidable weaknesses: default or reused passwords, devices that never get updates, everything on one flat network and too many cloud accounts. A professionally designed system removes most of these.

What UK law now requires of manufacturers

Since 29 April 2024, manufacturers of consumer connectable products sold in the UK must meet baseline security requirements under the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure regime. These cover three things (GOV.UK):

• no universal default or easily guessable passwords;
• published information on how to report security issues;
• published information on the minimum period the product will receive security updates.

That last point is useful when choosing hardware. A device with a short or undisclosed support period is a poor choice for a home you plan to live in for years.

The steps that matter most

1. Local control first. The fewer cloud services your home depends on, the fewer accounts and external connections there are to protect. Our local control guide explains how this works.
2. Separate networks. Smart devices, guests and personal computers on separate network segments, so a weak device cannot reach your laptop.
3. Unique passwords and two-factor authentication on every account that supports it.
4. Managed updates for the platform, devices and network equipment.
5. Choose supported hardware from manufacturers who publish update periods.
6. Minimal remote access. Use secure, authenticated remote access rather than opening ports on your router.
7. Separate user accounts for family members, staff and guests, with only the access each needs.

Privacy as well as security

Security is about keeping attackers out. Privacy is about what data leaves your home at all. Cameras, microphones and presence sensors produce sensitive data. With a local platform such as Home Assistant, automations and recordings can stay inside your home. For voice control, local voice options are available if you prefer not to send audio to a cloud service.

Cameras inside the home

We usually advise against internal cameras in living spaces unless there is a specific need. Where clients want them, we can link them to the alarm so they only record when the house is armed.

Our approach

Every system we build runs locally on Home Assistant, sits on a segmented network and is documented. Our aftercare plans include proactive monitoring and managed updates.

Common questions

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Related services

Sources

• GOV.UK: Consumer connectable product security regulations
• GOV.UK: The UK product security regime policy paper

Last reviewed 1 November 2026. Prices ex. VAT unless stated.