The author poses some interesting questions, but unfortunately doesn't provide really useful answers.

How is the avarage consumer going to find out the security reputation of a vendor of smart home devices? How to find a reputable vendor for such or such device like a baby monitor, security cam, smart lightning or wifi repeater? In an easy way and easy to comprehend?

Is there a website to check to security of smart home devices, or a list of reputable vendors? That would be a first step.