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.)
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Chicago Chapter presented a virtual forum in April addressing Intelligent Buildings and Cybersecurity.
The online event featured a pair of ESD experts, Practice Leader for Technology Mo Fahim and Studio Leader for Cybersecurity Coleman Wolf, who teamed up to discuss the current state of intelligent building design and the possible security risks that could be lurking in the new technology.
Fahim says this is largely the result of previously separate information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems coming together in modern smart buildings. According to Fahim, we are experiencing an exciting time in the evolution of the built environment—but this convergence of different systems needs to be carefully applied.
Wolf says while some of the most exciting emerging technologies improve the operational efficiency of modern building control systems, they also come with a number of potential cybersecurity risks. Wolf says the best defense is to foster cooperation between IT and OT teams as well as conduct periodic security reviews of operations and equipment.
Coleman Wolf freely shares his knowledge from over 30 years of security management and security engineering experience, and Mo Fahim focuses on helping clients achieve maximum results through the application of available technologies. Both work to advance 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.
