Linksys SHIELD
Empowering families to take control of their online safety, Linksys SHIELD introduced a seamless, affordable solution to home cybersecurity. By integrating cutting-edge technology from Trend Micro with user-centric design, the platform made managing internet security intuitive and stress-free. This project transformed how families interact with their networks, balancing robust protection with simplicity and accessibility.
Creating an Affordable, Comprehensive Home Cybersecurity Solution
The goal was to develop a go-to-market product leveraging Trend Micro’s cybersecurity technology, offering families a robust and easy-to-use solution for managing their home internet security. The challenge was to ensure the product met key price points while integrating seamlessly into Belkin’s top SKUs, balancing technological feasibility with market demand.
This required a rigorous process of Research, Definition, Design, Prototyping, Validation, and Build to deliver a product that addressed the increasing concern for online safety in an intuitive and reliable manner.
Customer Study & Workshop Brainstorming
To understand customer needs, we conducted multi-day focus groups in Belkin’s testing lab, gathering insights into user preferences for WiFi products and identifying features they would prioritize. Observations from the focus groups fueled “How can we?” brainstorming sessions to generate actionable ideas for prototyping and testing.
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These findings shaped the core features of Linksys SHIELD, focusing on control, security, and ease of use.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes & Flow Mapping
Following the brainstorming sessions, we created low-fidelity wireframes to map the experience flow and account for user scenarios. This early visualization enabled us to:
• Identify missing user scenarios.
• Estimate the total number of screens needed.
• Collaborate with the technology team to assess feasibility and pinpoint potential technical limitations early in the process.
Refining Solutions into High-Fidelity Designs
Through multiple rounds of prototype testing, we refined the design into a higher-fidelity interface. This allowed us to test not just the functionality and flow but also the positioning and layout of key elements, ensuring a balance between usability and aesthetic appeal.
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Results
The launch of Linksys SHIELD introduced a new revenue stream for Belkin International, with strong profitability projections by the fifth quarter. The product’s success contributed to Belkin’s increased valuation during its acquisition by Foxconn, rising from $818 million to $836 million.
Post-Launch Feedback:
While the product was successful, user feedback highlighted opportunities for improvement:
1. The ability to create groups for members or devices.
2. A feature to copy settings from one device to another.
These features were initially explored but postponed due to the storage limitations of some SKUs, which would have been unable to support the group management functionality without affecting performance.
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Reflection
The Linksys SHIELD project exemplified the power of user-centered design in addressing real-world challenges. By combining deep customer insights, iterative design, and technical collaboration, we delivered a product that resonated with families seeking peace of mind in online safety.
This project reinforced the importance of balancing market demand, technological feasibility, and user experience, setting a strong foundation for future innovations in home cybersecurity.