Strong physical layers still matter, but today’s most resilient home security setups pair door/window contacts, glass‑break and motion sensing with smarter tech that cuts false alarms and speeds verification. Many cameras and hubs now run on‑device AI to classify people/vehicles and listen for alarm sounds, and some systems add privacy‑preserving mmWave radar presence sensors to detect occupancy without filming—capabilities highlighted in recent IEEE surveys of indoor sensing. Combine these sensors with secure connectivity and you get faster, more reliable alerts—and fewer nuisance notifications—before an intruder reaches the door.
Cyber risks deserve equal attention. Attackers commonly try stolen or reused passwords to hijack accounts, so with only a password, someone could log in to your security account, change settings, or view cameras. The 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report again flags credential misuse as a leading breach vector, and agencies now urge phishing‑resistant multi‑factor methods as a default. Enabling two‑factor authentication (2FA) blocks most credential‑stuffing attacks, and the protection is strongest with passkeys or security keys per CISA guidance. Major ecosystems increasingly require or default to MFA on accounts that control cameras and alarms, materially raising the baseline.
Home Security Passwords
Most home security platforms connect to the cloud and are accessible from mobile apps—by you and, if poorly protected, by data hackers. The biggest risk is simple: if an attacker guesses or reuses your password, they can view video or change alarm settings unless a second factor stops them. The good news: in 2025, many leading providers either require or heavily favor MFA. Ring and Arlo require two‑step verification for all accounts (Ring; Arlo), and Google Nest inherits Google’s protections, with 2‑Step Verification and passkeys promoted by default (Nest Help; About passkeys). ADT and SimpliSafe offer MFA but may not mandate it for all customers (ADT; SimpliSafe). In Apple Home households, access rides on your Apple ID, and Apple reports that more than 95% of active iCloud accounts have 2FA enabled—implying near‑universal coverage for Home users (Apple). For optional MFA ecosystems (e.g., Wyze, Abode, Eufy), turn it on everywhere and prefer app‑based codes or passkeys over weaker SMS/email. The FIDO Alliance’s 2025 barometer shows consumers increasingly adopting passkeys and authenticator apps, reinforcing this shift.
What Is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two‑factor authentication (2FA) means signing in with two different types of proof, typically something you know plus something you have. For example, a password is one factor; a code from an authenticator app or a device‑bound approval is the second. Critically, the second factor should travel over a separate channel and be resistant to phishing. Current guidance prioritizes phishing‑resistant methods like passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn) or hardware security keys (CISA).
Here’s how that looks in practice. With traditional 2FA, you enter your password, then approve a push prompt or type a one‑time code. With passkeys, you can sign in by confirming with your device’s biometric or PIN—no password or code to transcribe—while staying phishing‑resistant by design. Google reports more than 400 million accounts created over one billion passkeys in 2024, underscoring mainstream readiness and improved UX (Google Security Blog). Bank cards pairing a physical card with a PIN are another everyday example of two factors.
The second factor can be a biometric on a trusted device (passkeys via Touch ID/Face ID/Android screen lock), a hardware security key, a time‑based code in an authenticator app, or—less strongly—an SMS text code. Push approvals should include safeguards like number matching to defeat “MFA fatigue” attacks (Microsoft). Knowledge‑based questions (e.g., “favorite teacher?”) are weak and generally discouraged by modern guidance such as NIST SP 800‑63B.
Consider Two-Factor Authentication When Shopping for Home Security
Your security system shouldn’t be undermined by a single stolen password. When evaluating providers, prefer ecosystems that require or strongly default to MFA and support phishing‑resistant options. Examples: Arlo and Ring require two‑step verification; Google Nest inherits robust Google Account protections, including passkeys. DIY and alarm providers like SimpliSafe, ADT, Wyze, Abode, and Eufy offer 2FA with varying methods—favor authenticator apps or passkeys over SMS/email. Also check product‑level security signals: in the U.S., the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark label (rolling out in 2025) links to verified security attributes via QR code; in the UK, devices must meet PSTI requirements (no default passwords, disclosure policy, declared update period) in force since April 29, 2024 (UK PSTI).
Have a purely local system without cloud sign‑ins? You can still layer protections—for example, a smart lock code plus a separate alarm PIN. Note, however, that two codes are “two steps” of the same factor (knowledge) rather than true two‑factor, and they don’t protect your cloud account if you later add cameras or remote access. If you enable proximity unlock, prefer implementations with secure ranging (e.g., UWB) to resist relay attacks (FiRa). Change household codes when occupants change, avoid voice disarm features, and keep firmware updated. For any account you do use, set up strong MFA and harden recovery (backup codes, a second passkey/security key) so you aren’t locked out if a phone is lost (CISA).
These home security companies—and more—offer two-factor authentication:
What’s Next?
Ask yourself whether your current setup uses the strongest available sign‑in. Many ecosystems now have near‑universal MFA coverage: Ring and Arlo require it for all accounts, and Nest leverages Google’s default protections; Apple reports >95% of active iCloud accounts use 2FA, implying broad protection for Home users (Ring; Arlo; Nest; Apple). If your provider doesn’t support phishing‑resistant MFA yet, ask when passkeys or security keys will be available. Otherwise, someone could be watching you without your knowledge.
If you’re shopping, make 2FA a top criterion and look for security‑by‑design signals (e.g., the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark). Check out our comprehensive review of home security companies for options. Whichever provider you choose, enable the strongest method offered (prefer passkeys or hardware keys; else an authenticator app), secure recovery (add a second passkey/security key, store backup codes offline), and use a unique high‑entropy password or passphrase in a password manager. Review trusted devices/sessions regularly and rotate credentials after suspected compromise rather than on an arbitrary monthly schedule. Broader threat reports show compromised IoT devices still drive large network‑layer DDoS in 2025, underscoring the value of secure defaults and timely updates alongside MFA (Cloudflare).
