Cybersecurity for Buildings Can No Longer Be Overlooked

Imagine walking into an ultra-modern building. Automated lighting adjusts to your presence, elevators await your command, HVAC systems maintain the perfect balance of comfort and efficiency, and physical access control systems are tied to corporate identity access management (IAM) systems. Sounds like a dream, right??

But there’s a catch. What happens if these automated, interconnected systems are interfered with by an outsider (or a disgruntled insider)? This is no longer the realm of sci-fi movies. It’s a real-world concern, and this is where cybersecurity for Building Control Systems (BCS) comes in—a critical issue often overlooked by building managers, property developers, and BMS engineers.?

If you are not already familiar with some of these acronyms, a building management system (BMS), also known as a building automation system (BAS) or building control system (BCS), is a type of cyber-physical system (CPS) designed to control, monitor, manage, and optimize various aspects of building operations

Securing these increasingly complex systems and interconnected buildings, even entire campuses, may seem daunting. However, with the right tools and frameworks, it can become manageable. Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, February 26th, to hear from leading experts who have written the standards and designed, built, and implemented these recommended best practices successfully.

Why This Matters Now?

If you think OT cybersecurity can’t affect day-to-day building operations, think again. From HVAC systems being manipulated to disrupt productivity to elevators being immobilized, ignoring cybersecurity vulnerabilities impacts building operations today, and incidents are on the rise.? Additionally, there’s reputational damage to consider—having your state-of-the-art property hacked could deter tenants and investors.?

Yet, many building professionals are only beginning to think seriously about cybersecurity. Some might be researching solutions, while others are telling themselves it’s an issue for another day. And we get it—figuring this out can seem hard.?

Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand what security level your building needs, implementing the right protections can become more manageable.?

Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, February 26th, for an insightful event featuring some of the world’s leading experts in this field. We would like to extend our gratitude to Lucian Niemeyer , Kevin Smith , Bruno Mannello , Vernetta Dorsey Windsong, MBA , John Deskurakis , Ilan Zachar , Michael MacMahon , Wanda Lenkewich , Fred Gordy , Eric Johansen, CISSP , and Ken Kurz for their years of dedication to addressing this critical issue and for the time and effort they’ve invested in preparing for and participating in this event.

Building Security is No Longer Optional?

Securing a smart building requires so much more than just good design; it demands proactive action.? Now that there are comprehensive frameworks you don't have to just guess. These offer everything building professionals need to take meaningful steps—whether building your cybersecurity strategy from scratch or refining your existing defenses.?

Remember, every step taken today contributes to a safer future for your building, tenants, and systems.?

At the end of the day, cybersecurity isn’t just about avoiding disruptions; it’s about ensuring your property remains the symbol of innovation and excellence you’ve worked hard to create.?

I would like to thank Fortinet , Phosphorus Cybersecurity Inc. , Ignyte , Foxguard , Dragos, Inc. , and Claroty for their sponsorship and support of the entire CS2AI 2025 Symposium Series, including today's event. Without the backing of these forward-thinking companies, CS2AI would not be able to uphold its commitment to raising awareness about cybersecurity in control systems, such as building management systems.

#CS2AI #CyberSecurity #SmartBuildings #BCS #BMS #OperatingTechnology #BAMS