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• Making a home look lived in while the occupants are away.
• Alerting the occupants when someone approaches the home.
• Augmenting the security system "alarm" by flashing all the lights.
• And many more uses.

Security naturally gets into Home Automation because the security system is the normal point of entry/exit control. The security system "knows" if anyone is supposed to be at home (armed/disarmed), and it knows when the perimeter is violated (alarm). The security system may also provide multiple keypads, remote controls, or a telephone interface that make natural control points for Home Automation functions.

However, the problem with using a "Home Automation" system for all your security needs is that HA systems are typically designed for less "life threatening" uses. If a light doesn't go on the first time you press a switch, you may be annoyed, but it won't cause damage to life or property. From a regulatory standpoint, it is illegal to use any devices not specifically approved for fire alarm use when connecting smoke detectors, etc. Few Home Automation systems have this level of certification.

Conversely, with Home Security systems, you are paying for extra levels of reliability (battery backup, for instance) and certification that are unnecessary for general Home Automation.

Home Security systems generally monitor a building's perimeter and interior. But what about the exterior? Home Security systems aren't generally connected to exterior motion detectors, beam break detectors, etc. for two reasons:

1. Exterior (outside) detectors are much more likely to "false trigger" due to environmental changes, wind, animals, etc.
2. And most Home Security systems do not have the concept of a "warning". A sensor trips and, if armed, they go full-tilt into announcing the fact.

The approach we take is that there should be two mostly-separate systems: One for security and one for automation. These systems can interact in various ways but both can operate independently.

The Home Automation system is responsible for controlling lights and appliances, providing video, audio, and telephone services throughout the home, etc. It is also responsible for detecting and responding to events outside the home. This adds another layer of protection around the home. A burglar is likely to abandon a break-in attempt if he is warned while still in the yard that his presence has been detected.

The Home Security system responds to break-ins and fire. (But once a burglar has smashed a window or broken down a door, damage has been done, he's broken the law, and he knows that he has many minutes before the Police will arrive. He'll probably go ahead and ransack before leaving.)