SMART BUILDINGS:
UNDERSTANDING
THE SECURITY RISKS
Smart buildings offer many benefits to organisations,
individuals and the environment. But they are also widening
the attack surface and opening up of new entry paths
into corporate networks as a result of the convergence
between operational technology and IT systems. Tony Atkins,
Regional Director EMEA at Nozomi Networks, discusses how
organisations can take steps to secure their networks in
order to fully reap the benefits of smart building connectivity.
M
any of the
world’s most
forward-thinking
workplaces are
deploying smart
technologies
into their
offices to help optimise functions,
increase productivity and improve
overall working life. These new ‘smart
buildings’ boost smart thermostats,
which can measure the temperature of
the building and turn on the heating or
the air-conditioning when required, as
well as intelligent lighting, which can be
controlled remotely and adjusted to suit
the time of day.
When turning a building into a smart
building, one of the key attributes is taking
the data from the technology deployed
and using it to make intelligent decisions.
Smart buildings can significantly improve
the lives of those occupying them and
can also play a key role in helping the
environment, however, as we have seen
74
time and time again, when Internet-
connectivity is added into any piece of
equipment it makes it accessible to the
outside and by intruders. This ultimately
means that when offices turn their
workplaces into smart buildings, attackers
have an even larger array of entry points
to attack the organisation.
When offices turn
their workplaces
into smart buildings,
attackers have an
even larger array
of entry points
to attack the
organisation.
Tony Atkins, Regional Director EMEA at
Nozomi Networks
A world of opportunity
for attackers
According to a report from IDC, Internet-
of-Things spending is expected to
reach US$745 billion globally this year.
This shows just how popular smart
technology is becoming and not just
among consumers.
Smart technology within buildings
offers huge benefits and not just for
occupants. It can also be used to
significantly reduce costs and reduce
the environmental footprint of the
building by intelligently analysing data
and understanding when, for instance,
energy consumption can be reduced.
An example of this was recently reported
in Forbes when it was revealed that
the New York Times’ head office in
Manhattan managed to reduce its
Issue 16
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