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By SecureWorld News Team
Mon | Oct 30, 2017 | 9:14 AM PDT

You're away from home (of course) when your Amazon Prime delivery shows up.

You text the neighbors to grab it for you but they are gone too.

Now it's a role of the dice: will your package get ripped off before you get home?

Amazon is about to roll out a solution to this problem—but will you trust the physical and digital security in use?

Amazon to launch 'Amazon Key' November 8

Amazon Key will allow the Amazon delivery person to place the package inside your home.

You need two things: a compatible smart lock and a specific digital camera. The camera must be purchased from Amazon.

The Amazon delivery person will use a digital code to unlock your door's smart lock and then place the packing inside.

The whole thing is recorded by the Amazon powered camera from inside your home and a short video clip gets sent to you after delivery.

The Verge put together a nice 2-minute video on how smooth the process appears to be. 

Do you trust Amazon and the digital key technology?

Connected technology sure makes life easier. But it also expands the attack surface, as we've heard from many of our SecureWorld Advisory Council members, who are leaders in cybersecurity across the United States.

And along those lines, Amazon says it has grand plans for the new offering.

"Amazon Key also allows customers to grant secure home access for guests and, coming soon, tens of thousands of service providers, such as Merry Maids, Rover and professional services from Amazon Home Services."

Do you trust tens of thousands with potential access to your home? Amazon says each entry request is secured through "an encrypted authentication process." 

Insurance considerations around Amazon Key

Michael Macauley, CEO of Quadrant Information Services, questions whether the security risks, privacy concerns, and insurance implications are worth the convenience. 

"There are so many questions surrounding liability if a problem were to occur during delivery," says Macauley, whose company does data and analytics for insurance firms.

He wonders who is liable if a delivery person falls. What if you have a pet that escapes when the front door is opened, or a pet that gets scared and attacks the delivery driver or cleaning person?

And with regards to privacy, lots of Americans have security cameras outside the home but do not yet trust them enough to place them inside. 

Check if you're one of the first to be eligible for Amazon Key

Amazon Key rolls out November 8 in 37 cities across the U.S. If you're an early adopter, you can check to see if your zip code is in the rollout area and order your Amazon Key kit, which will set you back $249.

One thing is for sure: Amazon continues its marketing genius on this one. Check out the company created video and then let us know what you think about the risk-reward balance with this new use of technology. 

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