2024 Safety Trends to Watch Out For

We got some insight from Batten Safe's cyber and home security experts on the top trends and threats that will affect American families and individuals in 2024.

According to cybersecurity expert Kurt Sanger (former Deputy General Counsel for US Cyber Command), these will be the top online safety problems for 2024:

• Disinformation: The use of disinformation will be accelerated by the 2024 election. I also expect it to move beyond politics and social issues and become more prevalent in commercial matters. Fake lawsuits, false product defects/injuries, and forged product achievements/capabilities are possible.
• Identity Theft: This will continue to affect more families, and criminals will use new tactics. Everyone should know the first call they are going to make and action to take if they suspect identity theft. 
• Application Vulnerabilities: Families need to pay more attention to the applications they use, the information they collect and the people/organizations that end up with that information. Parents should examine the safety ratings for apps they use and are used by their children.

Home security expert Kirk MacDowell (CEO at MacGuard Security Advisors, 40-year industry veteran), has these insights into home security trends for 2024:

• Crime against people and property: As arrests, bail reform, and prosecutions decline, crimes against people and property will continue to escalate by repeat offenders. For home defense, developing concentric layers of security around your home is the best approach to avoid becoming a victim. It starts with good quality outdoor rated cameras with A/I which can distinguish a person from a dog, then a monitored alarm system with all accessible doors and windows protected. Lastly, it is about having a family plan if danger presents itself.
• Lack of or slow police response: With many seasoned law enforcement officers leaving the force and the difficulty in attracting new candidates, police departments are strapped. Some agencies have instituted a non-response policy to alarm systems unless the alarm has been verified. However, alarm systems that couple video and intrusion that can be viewed by a central monitoring station can be dispatched as a crime in progress, yielding a faster response by law enforcement.
• Security vs. IoT devices: Sanger is the expert here, but we have found that some security product manufacturers have allowed some IoT devices to work in conjunction with the alarm system, possibly allowing a trojan horse into the dwelling. For example, a wifi thermostat, which sets back the heater or air conditioning when the homeowner leaves for the day, is a nice convenience and can reduce utility consumption and lower power bills. The thermostat receives the information that the home is unoccupied with a command from the security system that the alarm is in the “away” mode, meaning all residents have left the location. It is important that the devices added onto the security alarm panel have been tested, verified and endorsed by the manufacturer.