More Cameras, Fewer Fears as Survey Reveals the New Face of Home Security

More than half of respondents (52%) have taken new safety actions or changed daily habits this year due to home-security concerns, according to a new U.S. News & World Report survey of 1,200 U.S. adults conducted in August.

The findings show that home security systems are increasingly viewed not just as deterrents to crime, but as core components of modern smart-home living that provide reassurance, connection and convenience.

Cameras and doorbells dominate adoption

The study found that 62% of respondents use outdoor cameras and 56% have a video doorbell, making these the most common forms of home protection. Indoor cameras follow at 36%, while 31% use smart locks and 17% keep a guard dog.

Monitoring preferences were evenly split: 35% subscribe to professional monitoring, compared with 32% who self-monitor. Among video doorbell owners, half use the device multiple times a day, and nearly one in three have caught a “porch pirate” on camera.

According to Parks Associates research covered by SecurityInfoWatch, pro monitoring is also gaining traction as households seek hybrid solutions that balance automation with human verification, bridging security and lifestyle management.

Privacy concerns decline, comfort with monitoring rises

Americans’ comfort with being monitored — or monitoring others — has grown sharply since 2022, according to the survey.

·        90% now find it acceptable to use cameras to monitor package deliveries (up from 75%).

·        70% say it’s acceptable to monitor their neighborhood (up from 63%).

·        64% approve of using cameras to monitor service providers in their home (up from 49%).

Despite increased acceptance, 37% remain concerned about privacy and potential data breaches.

Smart homes and future expectations

The research highlights how home security is merging with broader smart-home functionality. Sixty-eight percent of respondents consider remote access via smartphone apps essential, and half believe security systems should be required in all new-home construction.

That expectation aligns with recent Parks Associates data, projecting the U.S. smart-home market to reach $15 billion by 2029, driven by demand for professionally installed, interoperable systems.

Nearly half (49%) say 24/7 professional monitoring is a must-have feature, though some remain cautious about third-party access to camera feeds.

Community and family safety extend protection

The survey also found that 84% of Americans would feel safer if their neighbors had cameras installed, while 54% have considered buying systems for family members such as elderly parents. Of those who have experienced a break-in (35%), 78% installed a system afterward.

A lifestyle shift

U.S. News concludes that home security systems have evolved into lifestyle technologies that provide reassurance, connection and convenience. From monitoring deliveries to supervising pets or children, cameras have become embedded in daily routines and are increasingly viewed as standard components of a connected, secure home, according to the survey.

That evolution parallels broader industry trends toward smart-home integration and automation, where connected systems serve both comfort and protection.

As highlighted in SecurityInfoWatch’s continuing coverage of residential AI and automation trends, the line between “home security” and “smart living” is disappearing, creating new opportunities for integrators to deliver long-term value through unified platforms.

The full U.S. News & World Report survey can be accessed here.