Cybersecurity for buildings

Identity & Access Management

Commercial buildings host a mix of employees, vendors, visitors, and contractors who access systems ranging from tenant portals and Wi-Fi networks to building controls and restricted areas. Identity and Access Management (IAM) ensures that only authorized individuals and devices can interact with critical building infrastructure. IAM systems typically include role-based access control (RBAC), credential management, guest pass workflows, single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Implementing IAM in commercial buildings helps to:

• Restrict access to sensitive building systems and tenant services
• Streamline onboarding and access for staff, vendors, and visitors
• Enforce least-privilege policies across digital and physical systems
• Integrate with building management platforms and identity providers
• Maintain detailed access logs to support compliance and investigations

Strong IAM controls reduce the risk of unauthorized access and support secure, seamless building operations.

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Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

Power outages, cyberattacks, or equipment failures can quickly disrupt building operations—from HVAC and elevators to tenant access and emergency response systems. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) planning helps commercial buildings prevent, respond, and recover fast during unexpected events. BCDR programs often include backup infrastructure, disaster playbooks, recovery time objectives (RTOs), training, and cross-team coordination between IT, facilities, and vendors. Implementing BCDR for commercial buildings helps to:

• Ensure reliable recovery of life safety and essential building systems
• Minimize downtime for tenant services, access control, and communications
• Restore key administrative tools and cloud-based platforms quickly
• Maintain trust and safety during cyber or environmental disruptions
• Support insurance and regulatory readiness for incident response

BCDR keeps building operations running—even in times of uncertainty.

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Cloud & Wireless Security

Modern commercial buildings rely on secure cloud platforms and wireless connectivity to enable protection and efficiency across tenant services, facilities management, mobile access, and remote support. Typical controls include Wi-Fi network segmentation, secure cloud authentication, encrypted communication protocols, and monitoring of access points and connected devices. Securing cloud and wireless environments helps to:

• Protect building automation systems accessed via cloud dashboards
• Segment tenant, guest, and building operations traffic over wireless networks
• Prevent unauthorized access to building controls from Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• Support encrypted communication across mobile apps, portals, and access tools
• Enforce compliance and cyber insurance requirements for wireless infrastructure

Robust wireless and cloud security ensures that smart buildings remain both connected and secure.

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Cybersecurity Strategy

A strong cybersecurity strategy is essential for protecting commercial buildings from growing digital threats—especially as systems like HVAC, lighting, access control, and tenant services become increasingly connected. A well-defined strategy ensures that building technologies remain secure, resilient, and aligned with operational and tenant needs.

Developing a cybersecurity strategy for commercial buildings typically begins with risk assessments, stakeholder alignment, and adoption of frameworks like NIST or ISO 27001 tailored to building operations.

Establishing a cybersecurity strategy helps to:

• Align building system security with business objectives and tenant expectations
• Address unique risks tied to smart building technologies and shared networks
• Establish governance for risk, compliance, and stakeholder accountability
• Support digital transformation and adoption of IoT, cloud, and remote management
• Prioritize investment and effort across access control, monitoring, and response

A clear strategy helps property owners and facility managers future-proof their buildings while meeting compliance, safety, and operational goals.

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Data Security & Privacy

Commercial buildings generate and store growing amounts of sensitive data—including access logs, surveillance footage, tenant credentials, visitor records, and building automation system data. Data security and privacy controls help safeguard this information from breaches, misuse, or regulatory violations. Typical protections include encryption, access control, secure storage, logging, and monitoring across physical and digital systems. Securing building data helps to:

• Protect access credentials, surveillance footage, and tenant directories
• Ensure compliance with privacy expectations and lease agreements
• Prevent unauthorized data access, sharing, or leakage
• Monitor usage of building automation systems and IoT-enabled controls
• Demonstrate responsible data handling to tenants and stakeholders

Effective data security builds trust, reduces liability, and ensures compliance in modern building operations.

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Governance, Risk & Compliance

Commercial building owners and operators must meet a growing list of cybersecurity expectations—from insurance requirements and tenant SLAs to internal risk policies and local regulations. Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) programs help ensure that cybersecurity measures support both business and operational goals. GRC programs typically include written policies, documented procedures, regular risk reviews, and alignment with frameworks like NIST or ISO 27001. Establishing GRC practices helps to:

• Define cybersecurity roles, policies, and procedures for property teams
• Align building operations with insurance and regulatory requirements
• Monitor compliance with internal standards and third-party contracts
• Support proactive decision-making based on risk tolerance
• Demonstrate accountability to tenants, investors, and stakeholders

Strong governance ensures that cybersecurity is not just technical—it’s operational, strategic, and sustainable.

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Cyber Incident Response

From unauthorized access attempts to ransomware threats and infrastructure outages, commercial buildings face a wide range of cyber risks. An effective incident response plan enables teams to detect, contain, and recover from incidents before they disrupt operations or impact tenant safety. Incident response typically includes defined playbooks, monitoring platforms, escalation paths, and collaboration across IT, facilities, and third-party providers. Responding effectively to cybersecurity incidents helps to:

• Detect and contain threats before they affect building systems or tenants
• Minimize downtime of elevators, access control, and life safety infrastructure
• Coordinate communications across internal teams and external partners
• Ensure rapid recovery of digital services and physical operations
• Document incidents for audits, insurance, and lessons learned

A clear, tested incident response strategy transforms panic into control—and protects both the building and its occupants.

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IT Security

In commercial buildings, IT systems support operations such as tenant portals, lease management, remote monitoring, digital signage, security desk systems, and administrative platforms. IT security ensures these tools and services remain available, protected, and compliant with privacy expectations. IT environments in commercial real estate are typically secured using multi-factor authentication (MFA), firewalls, encryption, endpoint protection, and secure cloud access protocols. Implementing strong IT security helps to:

• Protect administrative platforms like HR, leasing, and maintenance ticketing
• Secure tenant-facing systems such as Wi-Fi, portals, and communication apps
• Ensure business continuity for property managers and operators
• Prevent unauthorized access to building records, credentials, and financial data
• Support compliance with data privacy expectations and cyber insurance policies

Effective IT security creates a trusted digital foundation for smart, efficient building management.

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Network Segmentation

Commercial buildings often operate multiple networked systems—ranging from tenant internet and building automation platforms to administrative services and public Wi-Fi. Network segmentation divides these environments to contain threats, protect critical assets, and enforce appropriate access controls. Segmentation is typically implemented through VLANs, firewalls, identity-based policies, and secure zones for OT, IT, and guest traffic. Segmenting networks in commercial buildings helps to:

• Isolate building systems from tenant networks and public-facing services
• Prevent lateral movement of malware across interconnected systems
• Protect administrative tools and sensitive data from external exposure
• Enable controlled access for vendors, contractors, and mobile devices
• Support Zero Trust models and cyber insurance requirements

Effective segmentation is foundational to scalable, secure multi-tenant building operations.

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OT Security

Building systems like HVAC, elevators, access control, lighting, fire alarms, and smart sensors are essential to daily operations in commercial buildings. These operational technologies (OT), many of which are IoT-enabled, are increasingly connected—but often lack built-in cybersecurity safeguards. OT environments are typically secured through segmentation, role-based access controls, intrusion detection systems, firmware updates, and continuous monitoring. Securing OT systems in commercial buildings helps to:

• Prevent unauthorized access to building management systems (BMS)
• Protect smart sensors, badge readers, cameras, and connected controls
• Reduce the risk of downtime, tampering, or system override
• Isolate OT systems from tenant, guest, and administrative networks
• Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient building operation

A strong OT security approach preserves both operational integrity and occupant trust in modern smart buildings.

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Security Awareness & Training

Building staff, front desk personnel, contractors, and third-party vendors often have access to sensitive systems and spaces. Security awareness and training programs equip every person on-site to spot threats, follow protocols, and protect the building. Training programs typically include phishing simulations, security policy onboarding, signage, physical access best practices, and role-based digital hygiene refreshers. Implementing security awareness initiatives helps to:

• Prevent social engineering, badge tailgating, and unauthorized access
• Educate staff on proper use of shared workstations and mobile devices
• Reinforce cybersecurity best practices through signage and updates
• Build a culture of shared security responsibility across operations
• Improve incident reporting and risk recognition among non-technical staff

When everyone on-site understands their role in security, the entire building becomes more resilient.

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Third-Party Risk Management

From elevator service companies to HVAC technicians, managed IT providers, and security integrators, commercial buildings rely heavily on third-party vendors. Each of these connections introduces potential cyber risk. Third-party risk management ensures vendors meet defined standards while minimizing their access to critical systems. Typical controls include vendor vetting, contractual security clauses, access restrictions, and third-party activity monitoring. Managing third-party cyber risk helps to:

• Assess vendors for cybersecurity readiness and regulatory alignment
• Monitor and limit external access to Building Management Systems (BMS), cameras, and network segments
• Enforce cybersecurity clauses in contracts and service level agreements (SLAs)
• Prevent supply chain-related breaches and misconfigurations
• Maintain operational security while preserving service efficiency

Robust third-party risk practices extend protection across the entire building.

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Threat & Vulnerability Management

As commercial buildings adopt smart technologies, cloud platforms, and remote management tools, the risk of cyber threats continues to grow. Threat and vulnerability management helps identify weak points before they are exploited, enabling facility teams to address security issues without disrupting operations. This typically includes vulnerability scanning, patch management, threat intelligence integration, and real-time monitoring across building systems. Managing threats and vulnerabilities helps to:

• Identify outdated or misconfigured systems in OT and IT environments
• Prioritize remediation based on risk to safety, operations, and data
• Integrate building-specific threat intelligence and industry best practices
• Coordinate patches and updates with minimal downtime
• Support insurance and compliance requirements for cyber readiness

A proactive security plan keeps commercial buildings safe, efficient, and ahead of emerging threats.

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