Preventing Cyber Threats in Smart Buildings by Design

The trend of integrating IoT technologies into buildings isn’t going away. More smart buildings appear every year, providing convenience and improving energy efficiency. Unfortunately, it isn’t risk-free. Digital access control and cloud-linked management systems create cyber risks for building security. Therefore, security should be a consideration throughout the entire design process.

Why Smart Buildings Face Unique Cyber Risks

Not all cyber threats linked to smart buildings are easily predictable. Before working on a new smart office or home, consider the following risks.

Interconnected Systems Create a Large Attack Surface

Smart buildings are powered by interconnected technology. That means one digital system controls many features, including:

• Door access
• Surveillance cameras
• HVAC systems
• Elevators
• Fire safety equipment

Central control can be handy, but it also gives attackers multiple entry points into the building’s system. Sometimes, all features rely on the same network. A single breach then means an attacker could not only use the stolen data, but even gain physical access to the building’s entrance.

Secure-By-Design Principles for Smart Buildings

Despite the concerns, there are many ways to ensure that a smart building is secure by design. So, take note of the following safety practices.

Vetting Devices Before They Become Part of the Infrastructure

Before designing a smart building system, engineers and architects should evaluate the security of any IoT devices. Researches show that  57% of IoT devices are vulnerable to serious attacks due to the outdated operating systems or lack of encryption.

When conducting research, check for the following design flaws:

• Reliance on default access credentials
• Outdated security protocols
• Unencrypted communication and control methods
• Lack of firmware updates

Of course, it’s also important to do research on a product and its manufacturer. The company may also have a history of serious security breaches.

Designing Network Segmentation Into the Building Blueprint

Engineers should avoid powering a smart building through a flat network. Flat networks allow attackers to move between smart components freely, making containment almost impossible. Instead, you should segment networks. Each system will operate independently, limiting an intruder from travelling further. It’s a simple concept, but very important.

Incorporating Encrypted Communication and Secure Protocols

Even with segmented networks, encryption is necessary for communication in a smart building. It should cover both device-to-device connections and data sent to cloud dashboards. For instance, TLS should be used for remote management platforms. WPA3 should protect any Wi-Fi network.

Control servers also need encrypted storage. Secure remote-access tools should also be provided for facility teams. Without these precautions, a building will be exposed to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Making Security a Collaborative Process

Finally, the security of a building should be a collaborative process between different experts. That includes the architects, engineers, facility managers, and IT teams.

Without collaboration, other teams may build on designs without noticing security flaws. It’s much more sustainable to tackle these issues from the ground up.

The Purpose of Dark Web Monitoring for Smart Buildings

If smart building projects followed these precautions, the risk would be minimal. Unfortunately, there are simply too many parties at play. A single design flaw could lead to the building’s systems being compromised by cybercriminals. Then, they could steal the building’s design BIM files or system login details.

However, hackers rarely act alone. It is often safer for them to sell this information on illegal marketplaces. For this reason, you can use dark web monitoring platforms. If any credentials or documents are leaked, you’ll be prompted to lock down accounts and update security information.

Keeping Buildings Both Smart and Secure

Overall, smart buildings can have impressive benefits when it comes to security and convenience. However, that’s only the case when they’re designed carefully and collaboratively. Make security the centre of your design from the beginning, and convenience will come after.