Systems, devices, and methods for managing a security system are described. A method may comprise receiving a request to join a security system by a user device. A whitelist may indicate devices, device types, device makes, device models, and/or device firmware versions authorized to join the security system. The method may further comprise enabling, based on a determination that the whitelist comprises an indication that the user device is authorized to join the security system, the user device to exchange data with the security system.