SPECIAL FEATURE
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HOME AUTOMATION & INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS
BE SMART , STAY SECURE
Steve Martin , head of technical at the Electrical Contractors ’ Association , explains why cyber security is rising up the agenda in electrical contracting .
Cyber security is now a real and serious threat to businesses in the UK , with it estimated to cost firms around £ 34bn each year . This is a huge figure , and one made more significant by a further revelation in the survey from Internet service provider Beaming that managing malware and data theft incidents both had a greater financial impact on a business than burglary .
Of course , the damage done by cyber criminals is not just financial . Firms who are victims of a cyber attack can suffer reputational damage , see staff morale slide , and lose both current and prospective clients as their ability to prevent future attacks gets called into question .
With this in mind , it was concerning to learn that 39 per cent of respondents to a recent ECA and SELECT client survey said they didn ’ t take any steps to protect smart installations in their buildings from cyber threats . More worryingly , just under half ( 49 per cent ) of those who responded to the survey said the risk of hacking and its impact on unsecured networks was a potential barrier to installing connected technology .
These challenges need to be overcome if we ’ re to prevent commercial clients from missing out on the benefits of working in , managing or owning a smart building , and to make sure they are not letting their connected devices become their building ’ s weak point . What can we as an industry do to help them overcome these concerns ? Well , within commercial buildings security installers need to collaborate with their clients ’ own network managers , which typically oversee network protection against cyber threats . This will demonstrate they can help put the necessary processes in place to secure any new security installations or help isolate the network so the security systems can ’ t be compromised . Given a connected building can potentially provide numerous gateways for cyber criminals , conversations with the people who lead on cyber security can be useful in helping them understand which elements of the network need to be protected , and where installers can provide additional support if required .
Becoming connected without becoming vulnerable
In contrast , the domestic market may require a more hands-on approach . A number of technologically advanced smart homes are less than clever when it comes to cyber security , which creates an opportunity for security installers to advise their owners on how to become connected without becoming vulnerable to cyber criminals . An opportunity also exists for installers to offer regular maintenance support and keep the client aware of what ’ s being introduced and developed as the technology evolves and upgrades are released . This is not exclusive to the domestic market , as commercial clients will also be receptive to ongoing support and advice about the latest updates in this area , and may be willing to explore the possibilities of an ongoing maintenance contract to facilitate this .
But installers offering this advice need to be fully aware of cyber security issues and the potential solutions . Cyber security support through simple management processes is not a huge leap from the work this industry is familiar with , but taking the time to understand it now will be beneficial in the future . The ECA is working to develop a means of helping installers make the most of the opportunities in this market , to complement the work we already undertake to help businesses working in established areas of the security industry .
46 | July 2017