A new survey from the U.S. News & World Report shows a growing shift in consumer behavior and perception, positioning home security systems as integral to modern smart-home living rather than just deterrents to crime.
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.
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 pro monitoring is also gaining traction as households seek hybrid solutions that balance automation with human verification, bridging security and lifestyle management.
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%).
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.
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.
