Smart systems are great, but you’re right—don’t let the convenience become a backdoor. Start with a solid foundation: use reputable brands that get regular firmware updates and strong encryption. Keep the network segmented, so your IoT devices stay on a separate VLAN or subnet. Add a firewall that filters traffic and a fail‑safe mode that disables nonessential functions if something looks odd. Test it in stages, log everything, and schedule periodic security scans. And remember, a bit of manual override is a lifesaver—sometimes the simplest switch is the safest bet.