With smart home technology, homeowners can remotely control everything from the surround sound in their living rooms to the water temperature in their showers. But the main reason people are adopting smart technology is for enhanced security.

That’s according to a study sponsored by Icontrol Networks, a software platform company. In the firm’s “State of the Smart Home” report, 90% of consumers said that security is one of the “top reasons” for purchasing a smart home system.

The study, which surveyed 1,600 participants, found that 50% of consumers plan to buy at least one smart home product in the next year. Among the most desired smart technology:

• Home monitoring cameras (desired by 65% of survey participants)
• Master remote control for all household preferences (68%)
• Doors that can be locked from a remote location (71%)
• Self-adjusting thermostat (72%)
• Automatic adjustable outdoor lighting (65%)

While those ages 55 and over tended to express excitement about the cost savings possibilities of smart technology, younger consumers (ages 25-34), were excited about other factors: how smart technology helps them manage work-life balance, makes it easier to enjoy music, movies and web surfing anywhere in the hours, helps anticipate needs (such as shopping lists and minor repairs), and offers interactive features that help them connect with others.

The survey also highlighted several areas of concern regarding smart technology. A majority of participants (71%) said they worry about a data breach. “In fact, consumers say they are more worried about this than they are worried about the cost of the technology,” notes the study. Other consumer concerns include: fear that their data will be collected and sold (64%) and fear that their smart home technology will have too many bugs (57%).

Regardless, smart technology is here to stay. In fact, the survey quoted technology research firm Gartner as predicting that by the year 2022, a typical family home could contain no less than 500 smart devices. Let’s hope there will be a device to keep track of all those devices!