Perceived and Identified Security Risks in Smart Home Technology : A case study of three Chinese companies

Abstract: The interest and demand for smart home technologies has increased rapidly during the past few years. Due to factors such as convenience, innovation, flexibility, and security, these products are becoming a bigger part of our everyday life. With the increased demand and need for this technology, companies are working quickly to try to meet this demand and need of their customers. The development is becoming faster and faster, and therefore the risk of security being overlooked has increased. Companies want to meet the demand, and by trying to get the products on the market faster, other aspects might be compromised. A country which is often looked to for development and production of products is China. China is believed to be one of the countries with the most promising future for smart technologies and Internet of Things due to the immense investment put into telecommunications, development of technologies, and supporting infrastructure. The research of this thesis sought to investigate what effects the increased interest and demand for smart technologies has had on companies who are working with smart home technology by conducting a multiple case study on three companies in China which are in the smart home technology industry. With this case study, the perspective from the three companies has been gathered and analyzed. The research resulted in finding out the perception which these three companies have on the rapid development of smart home technologies, and the firsthand effects it has had on their individual company.