Secure configuration of a home-automation installation

A method of operation of an actuator, the actuator belonging to a home-automation installation and being:

• designed to communicate according to a first mode of communication, with at least one control unit of a first type belonging to the home-automation installation, during an operation in utilization mode, and
• capable of communicating according to a second mode of communication, made secure by means of an encryption key, with a configuration device, during an operation in configuration mode,
• the method being implemented by the actuator and comprising at least:
• receiving a message containing a temporary encryption key having a limited period of validity, coming from the configuration device,
• communicating according to the second mode of communication, made secure by means of the temporary encryption key, with the configuration device, and
• terminating the communicating according to the second mode of communication, wherein the temporary encryption key is erased in the a least one actuator upon the expiration of the limited period of validity of the temporary encryption key.

A device for configuring a home-automation installation, the installation comprising:

• at least one control unit of a first type, designed to communicate according to a first mode of communication, and
• at least one actuator:
• designed to communicate according to the first mode of communication with at least one control unit of the first type, during an operation in utilization mode, and
• capable of communicating according to a second mode of communication, made secure by means of an encryption key, with a configuration device, during an operation in configuration mode,
• the configuration device comprising at least one element for managing at least one temporary encryption key having a limited period of validity, wherein the at least one element for managing the at least one temporary encryption key is arranged so as to determine the at least one actuator able to be configured, to obtain a temporary encryption key, and to send a message containing the temporary encryption key to the at least one actuator able to be configured, and
• terminating the communicating according to the second mode of communication, wherein the temporary encryption key is erased in the a least one actuator upon the expiration of the limited period of validity of the temporary encryption key.

An actuator for a home-automation installation, the installation comprising at least one control unit of a first type designed to communicate according to a first mode of communication, the actuator being:

• designed to communicate according to the first mode of communication with the at least one control unit of the first type, during an operation in utilization mode, and
• capable of communicating according to a second mode of communication, made secure by means of an encryption key, with a configuration device, during an operation in configuration mode,
• wherein the actuator comprises a communication module comprising a memory adapted for recording an encryption key and arranged so as to receive a message containing a temporary encryption key having a limited period of validity, coming from the configuration device, and to communicate according to the second mode of communication, made secure by means of the temporary encryption key, with the configuration device,
• wherein upon termination of the communicating according to the second mode of communication, the temporary encryption key is erased in the a least one actuator upon the expiration of the limited period of validity of the temporary encryption key.