Improved building system technology is making today’s smart buildings safer, more energy efficient, and more attractive to tenants. But ESD, now Stantec Studio Leader and Senior Security Consultant Coleman Wolf says building automated system (BAS) improvements could come with new vulnerabilities. (Read more about intelligent building security.)
As building systems are increasingly more connected to the outside world, ESD Studio Leader and Senior Security Consultant Coleman Wolf says their vulnerability to cyber attacks is also growing.
Wolf’s article, “Is Your Smart Building an Easy Target for Hackers?” appears in a recent issue of NAIOP’s Development magazine. Wolf says while advancements in smart building technology have revolutionized the day-to-day management of buildings, the simultaneous rise in the number of connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices could be leaving the door open to bad actors.
Wolf suggests best practices to limit access and opportunity to these hackers including:
- Creating unique passwords for all IoT devices
- Always change default passwords and usernames for all connected devices
- Regular installation of software and firmware updates and patches
- Thoroughly documenting of systems
- Routinely performing cybersecurity system tests
According to Wolf, being more integrated and interconnected does not necessarily make a facility more vulnerable if they lead to more frequent and better engagement between risk management and facility management stakeholders. He concludes, “Creating and following best practices can lead to better security, improved operations, reduced utility consumption, and increased occupant comfort, delivering on the promise of the intelligent building.”
Coleman Wolf shares his knowledge from over 25 years of security management and security engineering experience to promote ESD’s mission to improve society through the built environment.
Contact ESD’s experts for more information on how ESD can help with building automation and cybersecurity.
