Safeguard against cyber threats: Expert

Manama  : Bahrain smart building industry needs to develop a cohesive ecosystem to safeguard against potential cyber risks, a report said.

Citing resolution number 5 issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in 2017 to implement necessary cybersecurity measures and emergency planning procedures to prevent harmful disruption or damage to critical telecommunications infrastructure from cyber threats, the report points out that hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems as the entry point into a corporate network, or hack into IoT devices to breach the privacy of residents.

IoT applications, 5G, and cloud computing are integrated into the national communications network and are also being introduced through automation and networking systems for smart homes and businesses.  

The report titled ‘Cybersmart Buildings’ co-authored by Booz Allen Hamilton and Johnson Controls warns that unlike cyber risks in other industries, smart buildings are not just susceptible to data breaches and IT interference, they are also vulnerable to disruptions that could negatively impact several aspects of daily life. 

According to the report, smart cities have become a reality in the GCC with smart buildings increasingly becoming more prevalent because of the optimised efficiency and convenience they offer, for both operators and tenants. 

Wayne Loveless, Principal, Booz Allen Hamilton says: “Cybersecurity isn’t a tax on the business, it is not simply an IT issue, and it certainly shouldn’t be a scare tactic. It is a business enabler and, when executed effectively, it is about insuring your investment and generating returns.”