Brinks Home adapts to new normal: Homeowners embrace smarter, always-on security video, analytics, and integrated ecosystems top the list of most-requested features

YARMOUTH, Maine — Homeowners are moving beyond traditional “lock-and-arm” systems toward intelligent ecosystems that deliver real-time visibility and proactive protection. Security Systems News (SSN) spoke with Laura Finson, director of product and strategy at Brinks Home, about the innovations shaping this transformation and what’s next for residential security in 2026. 

SSN: How is smart home device adoption evolving, and what impact is it having on how homeowners think about and invest in security? 

Finson: Adoption of smart-home devices, especially security-related ones, has been rising steadily, and that shift is changing how many homeowners view home security. What once was a passive "lock-and-arm" setup is becoming a dynamic, connected, always-on and automated layer of protection. Among security-oriented devices, video and video doorbells continue to be strong. We used to think of home security as intrusion and protecting the home. With video and the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI), the perimeter of the home is extending, and we can be more pro-active rather than reactive. 

Also, instead of "locking up and hoping," people want constant visibility – who's at the door, when packages arrive, whether motion is detected, even when they're away. Smart doorbells and cameras let them catch suspicious activity early or deter it altogether. 

SSN: What advancements in Al-powered monitoring or automation do you expect to shape home security in 2026? 

Remote video monitoring powered by AI modeling continues to grow in the residential space (it's widely accepted in commercial), and the continued development of AI utilization to reduce false alarms and create more intelligent alerts. 

SSN: What are the most requested features or capabilities from customers today, and what do you anticipate will be most in-demand in 2026? 

Finson: Analytics (person, animal, vehicle detection, etc), secure systems (data privacy and how their data is used), motion triggered lights (i.e., floodlight), video, locks and thermostats. What’s increasing, although these things have existed and sometimes are becoming mandatory from a home insurance perspective, are smoke/fire, carbon, water leak detection, water flow control, remote temperature control and air quality. They want a holistic ecosystem, not just a bunch of gadgets. Interoperability and integration continue to be key.