Let’s take a brief look at a few building automation objectives and the role the security system plays in each of them.

One of the technologies that has been instrumental in facilitating smart buildings has been the emergence of “the cloud.”

In the built environment there are few facilities as complex as commercial buildings. Consider that these structures must support hundreds or even thousands of occupants and visitors each day, and which have numerous subsystems necessary to maintain safety, comfort and efficiency.

When it comes to smart buildings it is all too easy to collect so many “toys” (technology products and solutions) that you can’t possibly use them all at once. With children this problem is easily solved. Simply put them away for a while and when you bring them back out they will be “new” and interesting again.

Combining technology with human talent can aid employee retention and boost operational efficiency for enterprise security teams.

Smart factories are on the forefront of the manufacturing sector, but connected technology introduces factories to new cybersecurity threats.

Two recent reports highlight both the upside and the challenges to smart buildings and communities.

Smart buildings leverage automated processes to control infrastructure such as physical security (e.g. video surveillance and access control), lighting and HVAC. Many smart buildings rely on network-connected devices and other Internet of Things (IoT) technology in which sensors and software collect data to manage these systems. 

What’s in a Name? If you plug in the term “smart building” to Wikipedia it automatically redirects you to the term “building automation.”

Chicago-based office building 167 Green has integrated ID badges for tenants in Apple Wallet, allowing access to facilities via tenant devices. Learn more in this case study.