Many smart tech installations can make your life easier if you work from home. That could include things like Wi-Fi, a data network, or voice-activated systems, like VoIP.

While these may help you to work more effectively in a remote setting, those who work from home may gain a double benefit from the installation of other items that increase physical security. These include home security systems, CCTV and motion-activated lights.

There are good reasons for having these installed at any time, as they protect all your personal belongings in the home. But the importance of security is multiplied if you also keep work equipment there. If you are self-employed these are your own company’s assets and tools of your trade. If not, they belong to your employer.

Not only would the theft of these by burglars mean you lose expensive equipment, but it could open you or your employers up to the risk of them falling into the hands of cyber criminals who could hack into systems, stealing money and data in the process.

Different systems can help you at various points of the year when the risk of break-ins is high. Both summer and winter are peak times but for different reasons.

For instance, in summer people are away from home more, or they will be at home but leave doors and windows open for ventilation purposes. These are good reasons to have alarms and CCTV in place, so the crooks can be spotted even when nobody else is around to do so.

In winter, criminals will take advantage of it being darker once the clocks have gone back. This makes it easier for them to sneak around unseen and the season provides lots of temptations for them, especially just before Christmas when there are lots of freshly-wrapped parcels full of valuables sitting below the tree.

This is where devices like motion-activated lights can be invaluable, as they can illuminate vulnerable spots when anyone approaches, making it impossible to do so under cover of darkness.

With this kind of security, both your domestic possessions and work equipment will be much safer.