Apple has finally confirmed which routers and smart home security systems will support the HomeKit Secure Video (CCTV) and HomeKit Enabled router systems it introduced in iOS 13.
HomeKit Secure Video (CCTV) and HomeKit Enabled routers address two of the biggest gaps in smart home security coverage: they give users strong control over who can access the video they've captured in your home, and they also offer a welcome added barrier against hackers and others trying to break into home networks through the router.
There have been many cases where smart home devices are not properly protected, and routers are one of the primary targets of hackers.
Apple is trying to secure these potential vulnerabilities in such a way that users don't need to get a degree in network administration in order to protect their smart homes.
We've been waiting for Apple to reveal which devices support both solutions since they were announced as part of the company's WWDC iOS 13 announcements in June.
The video solution links online video files to your iCloud, making it impossible to access those clips unless authorized by your Apple ID, while the router solution acts as an additional firewall to cover devices on your own HomeKit network.
These are the first HomeKit-enabled routers
Apple has confirmed that the first HomeKit-enabled routers will come from Eero and Linksys.
These are encrypted systems that add an Apple firewall between smart home accessories and your network.
- Eero,
- Eero Pro
- Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System
The first HomeKit Secure Video (CCTV) devices
Smart home security systems typically store video data in the cloud, but HomeKit Secure Video security systems store video data in iCloud.
You can't access the video unless you're using a device signed in to the same Apple ID, but because you're using tokens , the process of using the system is seamless – the system recognizes device and allows you to access your data through it.
The problem it solves is that video stored in the cloud can be hacked, intercepted, or (in some cases) sold.
By encrypting it at the system level and linking it to your iCloud ID, Apple makes the video useless to anyone but you – even the manufacturer of the security device can't access it.
Apple's website confirms that the following systems will support HomeKit Secure Video (CCTV):
- eufySecurity eufyCam 2 series
- eufySecurity eufyCam 2C series
- Logitech Circle 2
- Netatmo Smart Indoor Camera
- Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera
The Robin ProLine Doorbell also offers support for HomeKit Secure Video (CCTV).
Next:
Apple's decision to make smart home security more secure at the platform level should bring significant benefits to every user.
Both home and business users will benefit from these security improvements, especially as routers (like those from Linksys) scale up for larger deployments.
The sad truth is that even the biggest manufacturers have made huge mistakes in ensuring that their products are safe by design.
One way to protect against such problems is to ensure that networks using smart devices do not support innocuous data exchange or communications with unknown routers, and that the personal data they share is secure at the platform level.
Apple is trying to address these complex challenges with solutions that offer high degrees of security in ways that can be used by consumers who don't know much about technology.
Most people don't want to worry about how to properly configure a firewall or assign a new password to a router – even if they have to. That's why the most popular passwords in the world are still 1,2,3,4.
