Smart building technology has been a tremendous boon for facilities in terms of productivity, profitability, and reduced overhead. But the other side of the coin is that some of the valued smart building technologies have inadvertently created cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Adding to the dilemma facing smart building system security is the fact that hackers continue to target select industries. In 2023, the manufacturing sector was, again, the most targeted, with 25 percent of all cyberattacks leveled against product makers. Retailers, wholesalers, and energy operations are all ranked among the hardest hit by cybercriminals. Unless smart buildings harden their defenses and utilize secure remote access technology, they remain at increased risk.

IoT Vulnerabilities Put Facilities at Cyberattack Risk

Although hackers sitting halfway around the world tapping away on laptops leverage every conceivable scheme to steal sensitive and valuable data, IoT smart building technology presents a unique problem. These helpful sensors and other devices appear relatively harmless and, to some degree, outside online thieves’ digital playgrounds.

Truth be told, hackers search for wide-reaching front- and back-door vulnerabilities to infiltrate a business network. The IoT landscape has emerged as a go-to resource for threat actors.

The annual number of IoT cyberattacks skyrocketed from 32.7 million in 2018 to more than 112 million in 2022. Recent reports indicate that IoT-related attacks in manufacturing rose by 45 percent. These are ways these productivity and smart building system darlings are putting facilities in harm’s way.

• Passwords: Weak, guessable passwords are often used to access sensors and other IoT products. Hackers are keenly adept at guessing predictable passwords.
• Safeguards: Too often, the firmware used in IoT devices cannot be upgraded. In other cases, managed IT technicians overlook the need to patch and maintain IoT firmware.
• Legacy Devices: Outdated IoT products are referred to as “legacy” devices. They tend to be useful and cost-effective. However, legacy devices eventually become liabilities that hackers exploit.

A report released by the Institute for Defense and Business points out that hackers routinely attempt to use IoT devices to access building and communication infrastructure. Beginning with IoT cameras and other remotely connected devices, cybercriminals can disrupt electricity and environmental controls. It’s not uncommon for these digital thugs to deploy ransomware and demand a cryptocurrency payoff before relinquishing operational control back to facility owners and administrators. The essential point is that IoT devices are a gateway weakness that must remain secure.

Smart Building Technology Cybersecurity Solutions

When facilities adopt smart building technology, decision-makers are tasked with developing and implementing a cybersecurity policy that addresses vulnerabilities. Best practices typically involve ensuring employees use robust passwords, updating enterprise-level firewalls and anti-virus software, as well as patching outdated IoT devices, among others.

One of the inherent problems organizations struggle with is how to leverage secure remote access technology. Fortunately, ODIN helps resolve the persistent risk created by unfettered remote access by creating an integrated building management system.

The secure solutions enjoyed through the ODIN approach prove particularly effective for companies that rely on the real-time accessibility and analytics generated by IoT assets. Manufacturing warehousing and other industries are moving to Building Automation and Control Network Secure Connect (BACnetSC) options to shore up weaknesses. ODIN has taken an industry-leading position by providing secure connectivity and delivering these BACnetSC benefits.

• Device Authentication: Only approved devices are allowed to access the BACnet/SC system. Each handheld device is verified before connecting to a smart building system. This defense protects against easily compromised laptops and tablets from creating a cybersecurity gap.
• Encrypted Security: A BACnet/SC needs to utilize only fully encrypted transmissions to prevent hackers from stealing sensitive data. ODIN works seamlessly with encryption applications.

Operations managers continue to seek out the best-emerging technologies to improve facility efficiency and reduce overhead. The upgraded ODIN 2.0 continues to deliver next-gen solutions that involve determined cybersecurity. As a BACnetSC-certified opportunity, two-factor authentication and other proactive cybersecurity measures are being integrated. By staying on the cutting edge of building technologies, ODIN 2.0 provides remote connectivity from approved handheld devices without having to worry about IoT and other cybersecurity risks.

If you would sleep easier knowing your smart building technology does not pose an ongoing cybersecurity risk, contact us to learn more about ODIN 2.0. Let’s get the process started today!