BSEE FIRE & SECURITY
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MANAGING YOUR VULNERABILITIES Getting cyber savvy with digital security
John White, Director Key Strategic Partners, Tyco, discusses IoT‐enabled access control and fire detection.
of everyday life, and for facilities managers that means a period of great opportunity, but also a range of new challenges. Security systems can now benefit from IP-enabled cameras and automatic analytics, decreasing admin time, improving accuracy and increasing the chances that an intruder will be quickly apprehended. Likewise, intelligent fire prevention installations can be calibrated to better understand incoming environmental information, reducing the chances of false fire alarms and speeding up alert times, so that fire incidents are more likely to be controlled. But these benefits come with difficulties – cyber attackers are increasingly targeting poorly- defended IoT devices as the gateway to company systems, for example. The recent worldwide ransomware attack which took down multiple NHS organisations showed the extent to which cyber attacks can impact on the real world. As a result, facilities managers have a responsibility to master these technologies safely, or risk damaging the organisations they serve as well as their own reputation.
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Vulnerable connections between security systems can pose a threat far greater than the compromise of one building – if a hacker uses a compromised camera to access the central control room, it could lead to catastrophic ripple effects elsewhere.
’ Secure your security
Over the past decade, the concept of ‘perimeter security’ for manufacturing facilities and warehouses has changed a great deal. Although the physical boundaries of a building must still be defended, the new connected aspect of many critical processes means that many industries are now open to attack from cyber criminals as well as on-the-ground thieves – or even both working together. The perimeter is now limitless; any connected camera or sensor which operates via the internet can be hacked and turned against its owner, feeding out sensitive data or opening loopholes in secure locations.
On top of that, many physical processes such as surveillance and access management are increasingly being managed from a central control facility with responsibility for multiple sites – which may not even be on the same continent as the facility being protected.
As such, vulnerable connections between security systems can pose a threat far greater than the compromise of one building – if a hacker uses a compromised camera to access the central control room, it could lead to catastrophic ripple effects elsewhere.
onnected technology is becoming increasingly common both in buildings and in safety and security systems. The so-called Internet of Things (IoT) will soon be a regular part
When evaluating security products before implementation, it is essential that managers are cyber savvy and consider how digital security is built into physical products. When constructing security systems, it is critical to understand how cameras and video management systems fit into existing network architectures, all without introducing new vulnerabilities. Cyber security must be a consideration at the earliest possible design stage.
Linked‐up knowledge
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Access control will always be at the heart of the facility manager’s security function. Keeping unwanted people out of certain areas or entire buildings is essential to an effective defence, and with the ongoing merge between physical and digital spheres, that task is currently being transformed for the better, as the rise of IP-enabled security devices provides a raft of new capabilities for facilities managers, including data collection and analysis, linking up with other in-house security systems and consolidated administration. In this new landscape, facilities managers can increase their efficiency and the effectiveness of their systems through a combination of innovative products and integration, connecting devices and processes which were previously isolated or individually watched over by a lone operator. Managers need to take notice of the possibilities of the IoT and integrate their systems to get a single view over the movements of people and goods throughout their facilities.
So, for example, IoT-enabled cameras, scanners and gates can be programmed to grant access only to authorised people or only at specific times – for example, if a delivery driver arrives during his usual delivery time-slot he will be granted access, but if he arrives late in the evening, the system will bar entry. Or say someone arrives for a meeting on the 22nd floor, and decides to snoop about their competitors’ offices on the 27th as well while they’re there. IP-enabled security gates can feed their appointment information to the lift servers so that they ‘know’ not to let them up to their competitors.
This kind of smart integration can make the everyday job of security management easier, as well as providing considerable value-add services for clients. The risks are real, but the benefits more than outweigh them, and a carefully- implemented cyber security policy can help facilities managers reap the rewards without sacrificing the integrity of their systems.
Smart technology and reducing false alarms
Considerable advances are also being made in the fire prevention arena. For FMs looking to improve safety and reduce false and unwanted alarms, it is highly advisable to implement a well thought-out fire safety strategy taking into account the necessary risk assessments across each site’s possible triggers and fire scenarios. This is crucial in order to identify and eliminate the potential situations in which false and unwanted alarms could occur.
If an existing system has been prone to false alarms, it is advisable to look at incorporating intelligent fire alarm detection devices. For instance, the use of interactively adjusted algorithms can establish if the detected properties of carbon monoxide, heat or smoke correspond to those held in memory for real fire events. By utilising this type of detection technology, dust thrown up from machinery, for example, will not set off an alarm.
uZettler Profile panel. 32 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JULY 2017
It can also be incredibly beneficial to have a wireless radio-enabled system in place to ensure
‘ When constructing security
systems, it is critical to understand how cameras and video management systems fit into existing network architectures, all without introducing new vulnerabilities. Cyber security must be a consideration at the earliest possible design stage.
’
uManual call point.
that detectors across the site are integrated – such as with the latest CCTV technology – to aid the early detection and verification of fires. This improves system functionality and performance. In the case of false alarms, CCTV cameras can also help to aid the early detection and verification of fires by allowing users to view the area to gain a fuller picture of the situation – acting as a secondary investigation strategy. Once a fire detection and alarm system is in place, although it might sound very basic, facilities teams must ensure that all staff tasked with using the fire controls are properly trained to do so. Installing the wrong type of fire extinguisher or an ill-advised escape route could mean the difference between life and death. Also, if the system is linked to an alarm receiving centre (ARC), and is scheduled for testing, facilities managers should inform the ARC before and after the event.
Stepping into the future
Ultimately, it must be noted that fire and security technology is not static. While keeping physical threats from entering the building and reducing the chances of a fire have long been priorities, a key focus should be managing the cyber- vulnerabilities and exploits that are uncovered every day.
A successful facilities manager needs to make sure that they are ahead of the curve with connected technology. With IoT-enabled access control and fire detection, they have the opportunity to gain a crucial upper hand in the defence and prevention process. It’s essential to take the opportunity to upgrade and upskill now, and take advantage of the new possibilities on offer – or risk being left behind.
http://www.tyco.com/ VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
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