Security, the basis of innovation for Smart Buildings

In a smart building full of sensors and smart software, an enormous amount of data is collected to optimize processes, reduce errors and improve user experiences. Handy, but at the same time it also raises concerns about security. You do not want privacy-sensitive data to end up on the street or for hackers to switch off lamps or open doors remotely. These concerns sometimes put the brakes on innovation. However, security can also be a driver of innovation.

The data in a smart building is brought together, analyzed and converted into information. As a result, you see, for example, at an early stage that installations will perform less. You can then send a mechanic before major damage occurs. Technical gadgets also increase the comfort of users. Think of smart cameras that register the occupancy rate in an office and control systems that monitor the air quality. But all those IoT devices also pose a security risk because they are a potential entry point to your network for hackers. Once inside, cyber criminals often go about their business unnoticed for a long time. When everything is connected, it leads to major damage.

Take security as the starting point for every step

It is therefore important to think about security as early as possible in the digitization process. Privacy legislation also requires that you set up your ICT infrastructure in such a way that personal data is optimally protected. The problem is, however, that nowhere does it say exactly how to do that. One way to safely deploy new technology is to choose equipment with security measures already ingrained (security by design).

You can also check whether the processing of personal data can be minimized and data anonymised. If a camera is only used to recognize behavior, then smart software can blur faces, for example.

Cloud computing increases the level of security

Although many organizations do not want data to leave their premises for security reasons, working with cloud services can actually increase the security level. IT departments are often overburdened and updating and maintaining security measures sometimes falls short. With a cloud provider you can be sure that it continuously updates. You always meet the latest requirements and are sure of the latest functionality. All communication is encrypted and data is stored encrypted. The provider also takes care of backups and restores. This gives you quick access to your data again, even in the event of a fire or power failure.

For example, MPL offers a SaaS solution for owners who want to outsource the management of their building (Building Intelligent Solutions) based on Microsoft's Azure cloud. Microsoft data centers are ISO certified, which means they are tested according to international guidelines. Security measures are integrated in all hardware and firmware. In addition, Microsoft has more than 3,500 security experts who work together day in and day out to protect data. With Azure you decide where data is stored, for example in Amsterdam.

Cloud drives innovation

The cloud is also a driver for innovation in that regard. You purchase services without a high upfront investment and you spend less time on system configuration and implementation. You can easily scale up and no longer suffer from faulty servers or hard disks. If you work with a central platform, you can also easily link new components to it via the cloud and collect the data from them again. With your security in order, you are always ready to keep up with the latest developments.

Finally, security is not just a matter of ICT. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated at tricking people, it is equally important to make users aware of security threats.

Would you like to know more about how MPL guarantees a high level of security? Please contact us or read the e-books 'Why security in the cloud is more secure than on-premise solutions' and 'PSIM Smart Building Cloud Platform As A Service'.

MPL

Franklin Zielinski