As smart home adoption spreads, security and privacy shift from afterthought to expectation. Clients want assurance their connected lifestyles are resilient, discreet, and protected.
For years, the pitch around smart homes has centred on convenience, lifestyle, and luxury. Lighting scenes that adapt to the time of day, distributed audio at the tap of a screen, heating and cooling that adjusts automatically; these experiences still wow clients. But beneath the sleek interfaces, a different conversation has come to dominate: security and data privacy.
For professional integrators working in the luxury residential market, this is no longer an optional extra. High-net-worth clients expect the same level of digital discretion in their private lives as they do in business. That means their homes - where data on presence, habits, and even video surveillance can be exposed - must be protected against growing cyber threats.
“Security and privacy demands are constantly evolving, and the requirements are becoming more stringent,” says Toine C. Leerentveld, director, product management, cloud and control services, Crestron. “Crestron takes a security- and privacy-first approach in all our designs, and it is our job to find the balance between usability and convenience while still providing a secure solution.”
Toine C. Leerentveld, director, product management, cloud and control services, Crestron
The professional advantage
The rise of DIY consumer devices - from cameras to doorbells to cloud-connected speakers - has brought smart functionality into the mainstream. But as integrators know, these products come with hidden risks. Many rely on cloud services hosted outside the client’s control, often sharing or monetising user data. Others lack rigorous update cycles, leaving devices vulnerable to exploitation.
This is where professional integration shines. Professional platforms such as Crestron and Control4, along with open standards like KNX, offer local processing, robust encryption, and secure integration frameworks that elevate smart homes from flashy gadgets to resilient digital environments.
“Security and privacy demands are constantly evolving, and the requirements are becoming more stringent.”
Leerentveld points out that Crestron’s approach is built on a foundation of trust earned in highly demanding environments: “Our residential dealer integrators have a built-in advantage with Crestron solutions because our control platform is shared between residential and commercial. The residential market benefits from all the security work that we do to meet the security requirements of government and enterprise environments. As time goes on, the security requirements for residential solutions and devices will keep getting stricter - and we'll be ready for it because of that shared technology.”
Why architecture matters
For Casto Canavate, marketing manager at KNX Association, the architecture of a system is key to resilience. Unlike cloud-dependent platforms, KNX distributes intelligence across the installation itself.
“A distributed system ensures that the intelligence and data of a KNX installation remain within the building or home itself,” says Canavate. “Unlike other systems, where sensitive information and control functions depend on remote servers, KNX stores and processes information locally. This approach eliminates the risk of external service disruptions and significantly reduces potential cyber-attacks.”
Because KNX does not rely on a permanent internet connection, “unauthorised access from outside is already limited by design,” he continues. “Security is not dependent on the integrity of third-party cloud infrastructures but rather safeguarded directly at the installation level, where the access to the system can be better controlled. For building owners, this translates into greater resilience, independence, and peace of mind.”
Casto Canavate, marketing manager at KNX Association
Encryption and standards
Both Crestron and KNX stress the importance of robust encryption and international standards.
KNX has invested heavily in its KNX Secure framework, which includes KNX Data Secure and KNX IP Secure.
“KNX Data Secure protects user data directly at the group communication level, regardless of the medium in which the information is sent. It guarantees that every telegram can be authenticated and, when needed, encrypted,” explains Canavate. “Additionally, KNX IP Secure protects all KNX IP communication by wrapping telegrams in strong encryption and authentication layers. This prevents eavesdropping, replay, and manipulation attacks when data travels across IP networks.”
Both technologies are fully standardised (EN 50090-3-4 and ISO 18033-3), giving integrators confidence that installations meet rigorous international benchmarks.
“KNX stores and processes information locally. This approach eliminates the risk of external service disruptions and significantly reduces potential cyber-attacks.”
Crestron, meanwhile, brings its enterprise heritage directly into the home environment. “Crestron uses authenticated and encrypted connections,” says Leerentveld. “Because governments and enterprise clients trust our solutions, that careful attention to security is also an integral part of every aspect of a residential installation.”
Data handling and privacy
Perhaps the most sensitive issue for homeowners is how their personal information is handled. Usage patterns can reveal not only presence in the home but also lifestyle, travel habits, and vulnerabilities.
Crestron’s stance is clear. “We share no personal data or usage patterns whatsoever,” confirms Leerentveld. “When it comes to diagnostics, our management platform is opt-in, but we share no personal data.”
For KNX, the architecture again plays a decisive role. With processing handled locally, there is no need for constant data transfer to the cloud. When remote access is required, KNX relies on VPNs or devices such as GIRA’s S1 gateway to establish encrypted channels.
“This approach ensures KNX can interoperate with other systems when needed, yet keeps data encrypted, and under the direct control of the building owner rather than outsourced to external cloud providers,” says Canavate.
Third-party integrations
Clients increasingly expect integration with third-party services and consumer devices, but these connections can present risks if not handled properly.
“Crestron has the ability and the framework to make secure and authenticated connections to any third-party device,” says Leerentveld. “Obviously, we don’t control the protocols of third-party solutions, but we make sure we’re always holding up our end of the equation - and we've been integrating with third parties for as long as smart homes have been around.”
KNX similarly emphasises the role of the integrator in safeguarding these deployments. “Integrators play a central role in applying KNX Secure correctly and ensuring that installations remain protected throughout their lifecycle,” says Canavate. This includes using strong passwords, enabling secure modes, configuring firewalls and VLANs, and keeping firmware updated.
Privacy as the new luxury
While convenience remains a strong driver in the smart home market, both Crestron and KNX see privacy and security moving up the agenda for end users.
“Lately, clients want assurance that their smart home installations will not expose personal data or critical building functions to unnecessary risks,” says Canavate. “KNX is already well-positioned to answer this demand. Today, it is the technology with the largest number of certified secure devices in the smart home and building industry.”
Crestron sees the same trajectory, noting that expectations around privacy and security in the home are steadily tightening, and that residential technology will be held to the same rigorous standards already familiar in enterprise environments.
The role of the integrator
Ultimately, security is not just a product feature but an ongoing process. That makes the role of the integrator crucial.
KNX has developed a Secure Checklist, guidelines, and training materials to help professionals ensure that systems remain protected for years after installation. Crestron, meanwhile, works through its dealer network to ensure best practices around configuration, remote access, and integration are applied to residential projects.
This creates an opportunity for integrators to differentiate their services. Beyond system design and installation, ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and updates can be positioned as part of a recurring revenue model, delivering peace of mind to clients while sustaining long-term business relationships.
As luxury residential projects grow more complex and interconnected, the stakes around privacy and security rise. Professional integrators are uniquely positioned to meet this demand, combining enterprise-grade technology with hands-on expertise.
For clients, the message is clear: in a world of consumer IoT risks, a professionally designed and maintained smart home is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity.
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