I always loved tinkering with things. As a kid, I would take apart my toys to see how they worked. My parents were always working on computers, and I was fascinated by the blinking lights and the clicking sounds. I loved learning about new things and how they worked.
My family was the target of a home invasion when I was younger. Robbers ransacked our home – it was terrifying! Luckily, the intruders did not physically harm us. The robbers took all our electronics and jewelry, which hurt, but that’s not what bothered me the most about this whole thing.
The psychological effects it had on my parents scared me the most. My mom is so jumpy now (to this day), and my dad just seemed…empty. It broke my heart to see them like this.
From that day, I vowed to:
A) never let anything like that happen to my family again and
B) help other families avoid going through something like this.
So it’s no surprise that when I grew up, I became an engineer to learn how to build better security systems. It was the perfect profession for me – constantly challenging and always interesting. And as soon as I finished my training, the army came calling. They were looking for engineers with security expertise to serve in countries worldwide.
My time in the army was an eye-opening experience. I saw first-hand how vital security is – not just for people’s homes, but for businesses and governments too. I also saw how a lack of security could lead to devastating consequences.
My engineering and military career has taught me many things, but chief among them is how to solve problems.
Problems that have life or death consequences. And that’s the exact skillset that I use to help families.
So that’s why we’re here!
To share our knowledge and experience with others so they can keep their families safe.
The world is harsh, but that doesn’t mean your family has to be unprotected.
Our goal is to harden your home against criminals, minimize the risk of injury or death in the event of a break-in, and help you feel confident and prepared for anything.
We’ll show you how to do this through our blog posts, product reviews, and security tips. We hope to make the world a little bit safer for everyone through our work.
Product Review Process
The first step in our product review process is research. We want to ensure we are testing the right products and that we are up-to-date on the latest security technology. This means reading manufacturer’s specifications, 3rd party independent test results (if available), and staying current on security industry news.
We do this through our lens as experts: We are a team of experienced security professionals. We have over 55 years of experience in the security industry between us. We understand how criminals think, how they operate, and what they are looking for. We also know how to design systems to thwart them.
We also consult with experts in the field to get their insights on products and trends. This helps us ensure that our reviews are accurate and helpful.
Contributors
We consult with a variety of home security experts to get their insights. These consultants have a wealth of experience in the home & internet security industries to provide us with invaluable insights that we share with our readers.
Our editorial team includes:
Troy Diaz
Troy Diaz is a home security expert with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in home security, including ADT and Honeywell. He’s originally from Los Angeles, but he now makes his home in San Diego.
He covers topics ranging from home security tips to the latest news in the industry. Troy is a strong advocate for using technology to keep your home safe, and he regularly speaks at conferences and events on this topic. With more than 20 years of experience in home security, Troy is one of the most qualified experts in the field.
Leonardo Willard
Leonardo Willard is a Smart Home and Family Safety Expert who has worked in the home security industry for over 17 years.
He’s originally from Brazil but currently resides in upstate New York. In his work, Leonardo helps people understand the different types of smart home products available and how we can use them to keep their families safe.
Leonardo is also a regular contributor to several online publications. In addition, he shares his expert insights on everything from choosing the best home security camera to protecting your family from online predators.
Ryan Chuang
Ryan Chuang is an internet security expert who has worked with companies like Symantec and McAfee. He’s been in the business for over 10 years and has a wealth of experience protecting homes and businesses from online threats.
He’s originally from El Paso, Texas, but now lives in the beautiful emerald city of Seattle, Washington.
He helps companies secure their networks and keep their data safe from cybercriminals. He also advises individuals on how to protect themselves from online scams and identity theft.