Are Doorbell Security Cameras Putting an End to Porch Piracy?

While the vast majority of online shoppers say they would be willing to use delivery services like Amazon or UPS to ship their holiday packages, a new survey finds that a significant portion of them are worried about package theft. According to the survey conducted by Security.org, 49 million Americans (19%) say they have had a package stolen from their doorstep in the past year. In 2021, the number of porch pirates increased to 22% compared to the year before.

A growing number of homes now depend on doorbell cameras like Ring cams and Nest Hello cams to help keep an eye on packages when they arrive. When someone comes within range of the camera or movement is detected, the camera sends a notification to the homeowner and they can view a live video feed of the area from their smartphone. It'll also record a clip to the cloud that can then be shared with law enforcement if necessary. On the surface, these cameras can be a good tool for stopping package theft.

Unfortunately, this idea hasn't necessarily panned out that way. At least 60% of the 35% of Americans who've ever reported having a package stolen also said they had a doorbell camera or other security device installed in a conspicuous enough space at their home. While this may not be comforting, an internet of things (IoT) security device like a smart camera can still monitor the delivery area and give you a chance to get the package inside before it's stolen. Such cameras also often help homeowners catch the thief in the act and capture a high-def image of them to use in a police report.

While we may not be able to stop package theft altogether, we can help to decrease the chances that it will happen to us. Especially when it comes to protecting our IoT architecture, embracing the right devices that are designed with security in mind is the best way to keep our data safe and our systems in top working condition.

Trust Perle Systems for IoT Security

Perle Systems partners with the best in IoT device manufacturers to offer a complete line of hardware and software products to help you monitor and secure your home or business. From industrial switches to networking equipment, you can find everything you need in one convenient location. Reach out to learn more or visit our Case Studies by Industry page.