As the adoption of connected homes expands globally, cybersecurity has become a determining factor for manufacturers, regulators, and consumers. The inclusion of integrated protection systems is transitioning from an optional feature to a core component of competitiveness in the smart home industry.
“The appeal of a smart home lies in convenience and adaptability, but if personal data is at risk, users cannot feel safe,” says Jeong Seung Moon, Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development for Digital Appliances, Samsung Electronics.
The global smart home market is entering a maturation stage, with a value of US$216.3 billion for 2025 and projected to reach a revenue of US$489.2 billion by 2035, characterized by a growing number of connected devices — including appliances, cameras, and sensors — and a proportional rise in cyber risks. According to Deloitte, 45% of users plan to install one or two connected devices that meet immediate needs, and 79% consider interoperability a priority.
This expansion has increased the attack surface for cybercriminals who exploit vulnerabilities in undersecured devices to access personal data, credentials, or other endpoints within the same network. As a result, manufacturers now view cybersecurity not only as a technical requirement but as a competitive advantage. Data protection and system integrity have become measurable indicators of product reliability and corporate trust.
Building Trust Through Cyber Defense
Samsung Electronics has integrated its proprietary Knox security platform into all Wi-Fi-enabled appliances since 2018. The company’s latest products include Knox Matrix, a cross-device architecture that enables appliances to monitor one another for potential threats, and Knox Vault, a hardware-based module that stores sensitive information in a separate environment. In addition, Samsung has implemented post-quantum cryptography, anticipating risks that may arise from the next generation of quantum computing.
Other global manufacturers are adopting similar strategies. Amazon has expanded its “Works with Alexa” certification and strengthened privacy controls; Google has reinforced security through a closed architecture within its Nest ecosystem; and Apple maintains a local data protection model through HomeKit. Each of these companies is integrating cybersecurity as a central element of product design and customer assurance.
Regulatory frameworks are also evolving. In the European Union, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) — set to take full effect in December 2027 — will require manufacturers to guarantee security across the entire product lifecycle, from initial design to software updates. The regulation underscores a shift toward “security by design,” emphasizing preventive measures rather than reactive fixes.
Cybersecurity companies, such as Avast, note that the protection of a connected home depends on multiple layers: device-level safeguards, user configurations, and cloud-level defenses. Effective strategies include regular software updates, data encryption, unique passwords, multifactor authentication, and segmented network structures to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.
Standardization initiatives have also emerged to facilitate secure interoperability among smart home ecosystems. The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) introduced Matter in 2022, a universal protocol intended to enable consistent communication and security among devices from different brands. However, adoption has progressed slower than expected due to reliability issues and limited manufacturer integration. “The year 2025 will be critical. We aim to achieve optimal reliability and ensure that everything operates seamlessly,” says Tobin Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CSA, to the Verge.
However, technical challenges persist. Major companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Google have delayed full support for Matter, citing problems with reliability and interoperability. Moreover, the Thread network protocol on which Matter depends has faced early implementation obstacles, slowing market expansion.
Moon emphasizes that security must be integral to user experience, noting that “cyber protection cannot be optional; it must be embedded from the start.” His statement reflects a broader shift within the technology sector, where manufacturers increasingly recognize cybersecurity as a defining component of product value and consumer trust.
