The Vulnerabilities of Intelligent Building Systems - Essay Example

Intelligent Building System Vulnerabilities Name Institution Tutor Introduction According to Myers (2010), the need for regional, national and global security has continuously evolved into an issue of global concern in the contemporary world. Consequently, no measures seeking to address neither national nor global security can exclude the issue of intelligent building vulnerabilities. The modern security challenges and rising cases of violence have concurrently influenced different countries to adopt the best strategies in establishing security. Undoubtedly, the building and construction industry is one of the sectors of the economies that most governments direct resources. In most cases, Blais and Rasic (2011) report that as terrorists continue targeting different countries, they mainly aim at launching their attacks in concentrated places, for instance, the World Trade Centre attack of September 9th, 2011. Subsequently, as highlighted by Salleh et.al (2009), the need for ICT facilities in modern buildings has increased dramatically. Analysis reveals that the IBs smart building developed into a popular and famous brand. This came as a result of the building owners, and managers attempt to accommodate their building design characterized by modern lifestyle and the need for protection. Today managers of different organizations have a highly and actively involving task in ensuring the establishment of properly secured buildings. This paper presents a vivid introduction to the issue of technology of intelligent building management systems. Additionally, the article provides and discusses a detailed list of the security managers’ consideration of Intelligent Building Management systems. Introduction of the Intelligent Building Management Systems Technology Intelligent Building (IB) refers to a system that provides a cost efficient and productive environment for the optimization of its four primary components. The four fundamental elements include structure, systems, services, management and their interrelationship (Coggan, 2007). The origin and initiation of Buildings and BMS date back to the industrialization period of 1970s. Historical Background and the Evolution of the Intelligent Building Management Systems Technology The intelligent BMS technology originated from the controls and systems used in the production automation processes, and optimization of plant performance. Later on, different managers, contractors and particularly architectures decided to adopt the concepts. The designs picked over the applications before developing and modularizing them during the 1890s. The architectures decision enabled the transferability of technology to the industrial and residential areas. Brooks (2012) provides the best analysis of how Intelligent Building Practice evolved to what is visible in today’s world. Consequently, Brooks (2012) chronicles concurs with what other scholars such as Gann (2000) and Coggan (2007) recorded. According Brooks (2012), the intelligent building dates back in 1980s where it was popularly referred to as conventional building. Later on the building evolved into the Automated form of 1980 to 1990 as well as the Responsive Buildings documented from 1991 to 1996. Since then the world adopted Effective Building from 1997 to 2010 where the intelligent building picked up as a measure to respond to the needs and the demand of the contemporary society. In the 1980s, buildings had minimal system integration; as a result, they were constructed by employing analog style attributes. Alternatively, the characteristics included systems of security, lift control, telephone, HVAC, lighting, data and communication systems. The successive automated buildings of 1981 to 1990 laid emphasis on sharing of tenant services, construction of mainframes and managers expected them to perform better than their predecessor. Consequently, they had mini-computers that offered new capabilities with non-monopolized telecommunication infrastructure that provided large discount volumes. However, automated buildings failed due to increased security and integrity concerns. According to Brooks (2012) the responsive buildings of 1991 to 1996 formed the second generation. However, managers realized that technology alone could not satisfactorily meet the requirements of the occupants. They, however, had raised responsive to change and understood the building lifecycle. The cycle comprised of integration concept with a building shell type ranging from 50 to 70 years. The third generation of buildings involved practical construction of 1997 to 2010 where the facility services had to contribute to the tenants businesses (Brooks, 2012). They focused on the occupants needs, and services integration had to support effective achievement of the company goals. However, they failed because of not prioritizing technology as their primary objective. Brooks (2012) ascertains that the IBs achieved in 2010 are the best and are still mushrooming around major world cities. They have an extensive automatic monitoring, control, management and maintenance of different services and systems. They support the efficient flow of information and provide advanced services in terms of business automation and telecommunication. They can perform in both local and remote environment with their flexibility nature of making simple and economic implementation of future systems. They also offer their services in an optimum and integrated way. Gann (2000) concurs with Coggan (2007) definition and also asserts that the technological advancement in the building industry began in the late 1970s. Consequently, the technological changes became strengthened in the early and mid- 1980s. For instance, the changes were more pronounced and dominated in the developed countries. Moreover, the desire to provide technologically sound and new infrastructure propelled the sustainability of the changes. Many advanced nations had a full demand for facilities to sustenance ICT based activities. Wang (2009) supported Gann (2000) assertions claiming that many developed countries had a high desire in adopting construction of technologically sound building. Wang (2009) adds that the IBs became officially recognized as automatic buildings from 1980 to 1985. Successively, IBs evolved into the perfect representatives of buildings that could respond to the changing needs of the clients as well as the whole nation from 1986 to 1991. According to Gann, (2000) IBs became more equipped with features having the capacity to satisfy the changing and evolving needs from 1992 till today. Furthermore, Gann (2000) cites that the world experienced successive waves of advancement in computing, spurring of the telecommunication by the technical opportunities in 1990s. The successive waves enhanced speed, and capacity as well as minimizing the costs of equipment. The Modern view of the Intelligent Building Management Systems Technology According to Clements-Croome (2004), many scholars view ICT at different stages of civilization. They acknowledge ICT as the catalyst and the leader of the achievement of the future desired progress and development in the building industry. Building owners, managers, and designers need to reform the way and the manner in which they design the building (Gann, 2000). Consequently, managers need to put into consideration the development of climate control, security, environmental systems, access, and fire detection systems. The above three sources indicate the imperativeness of ICT in the modern construction industry. It is, therefore, important to remember and acknowledge that the improvements in Information Communication technology in intelligent building are widely and popularly recognized in different terms. Such conditions include Facilities Management System (FMS), Energy Management System (EMS). The list also broadens to encompass Central Control and Monitoring System (CCMS), Building Automation System (BAS), and Energy Management and Control System (EMCS). Currently, various scholars and researchers recognize the indispensable role played by Intelligent Buildings. It is one of the components that incorporates the utilization of the best widely available and commonly known technologies, concepts, materials, and systems. According to Wang (2009) modern building and construction specialists should embrace the idea of integrating all factors within intelligent building. Additionally, integration can not only result in quality improvement of the buildings but also exceeding and development of certain areas. The Future of Intelligent Building Management Systems According to Wang (2009), the new technological advancements in the intelligent building will require that all stakeholders collaborate with building managers, owners, and users. They should also factor in the interest of the community in ensuring that there is the total establishment of security and safety in the buildings. It is an appealing feature to acknowledge the developmental milestone experienced by the Intelligent Building System. Clements-Croome (2004) had more concern for the nature and how intelligent building should appear. He argued that IB needs to be healthy, sustainable, and technologically aware. In addition, appropriate and the correct form of Intelligent Building should be in a position to meet the demands of the business and occupants. It should, therefore, be adaptable and flexible to address and deal with the ever-reported changes. For instance, the Intelligent Building should perform the role of a host of contemporary technological advancements that are adaptable and responsive to both the short-term and long-term human needs. Achieving such targets will automatically signify the fundamental connotation of Intelligent Building. According to the DCCEE (2010), a properly designed and managed BMS provides widened opportunities for improvement in efficiency of energy. Notably, the discipline of intelligent business homes, IB and Building Management Systems (BMS) encompasses a massive variety of technologies. Nonetheless the techniques apply to industrial, commercial, institutional, and domestic buildings, without the exclusion of building controls and energy management systems. The role of BMS is central to intelligent buildings. It plays an integral role in monitoring, controlling and optimizing building services to achieve maximum safety and security. Such services include lighting, security, heating, alarm systems and CCTV applications. BMS also encompasses issues to deal with ventilation, filtration, climate control, and unauthorized accessibility of building controls as well as the audio-visual and entertainment systems. The system also addresses issues to do with staff availability, movement and even time, attendance control, and reporting. The prospective within the above-listed concepts and the surrounding technology is, however, too broad. The impact of the changing IBs results in tremendous changes in lives of people. Nonetheless, the effects of facilities planning and building management are also potentially immense. Today any building owner and managers considering the development of premises or relocation of sites should consequently examine the benefits presented by Intelligent Buildings Technologies and concepts. Brooks (2012) recounted that building owners, managers, and contractors saw the essence of having and establishing Intelligent Building because of their advantages. IBs assist in energy saving as well as minimizing the costs of operation. Vulnerabilities and Challenges Facing Modern Intelligent Buildings Despite the many benefits gained from establishment of intelligent buildings, there are a number of vulnerabilities facing modern buildings. One of the vulnerability is the proliferation in the number of terrorism and insecurity attacks. Over the years, the world has continually experienced attacks launched in buildings. An example of such attack was the September 11th attacks that targeted the World Trade Center. For instance, the vulnerabilities are diverse and include elements such as contextual risks aligned with the building’s threat exposure and criticality of operations. They cover hardware, software, and the organizational network. IB management vulnerabilities range from power, access to the corporate system and the access to a workstation. They also include automation, devices, and services. Nonetheless, the list is even wider to include up to Lon work vulnerabilities. There is also the inadequate of a variety of safety management strategies such as threat criticality and vulnerability detection. Moreover, most of the developing economies are suffering from the challenges of limited access to adequate capital that can see them incorporate most of the intelligent building components. There is also limited number of professionals and skilled personal who could manage and monitor the systems effectively. Furthermore, there is lack of physical control to devices and their security. The limited capital cannot allow people to be trained to take care of the system. It is even important to develop the integration of facilities functions so as to address the vulnerabilities collectively. Besides that, there is inappropriate isolation of network, both internal and external to the IB, operating systems, and the wider networks. Some off the future risks that can cause more vulnerabilities include the increased costs of connectivity to a network due to the establishment of wireless technologies. Also on the list is the open architecture to increase the need for connectivity with the rising demand for extended and multiple connectivity that is internally and externally extending to other networks. Components of the Modern Intelligent Buildings According to So et.al. (1997), some of the systems and services installed in the modern technologically revolutionized commercial buildings include: 1. HVAC: Plays an integral role in the provision of thermal comfort adequate ventilation of the building and ensures control as well as regulation of humidity. 2. Lighting systems: Lights offer sufficient lightings for public places and general illumination for all occupants as well as the tenants of the building. Lighting systems is a strategy to improve the security of all operations and operators within the business apartments. 3. Life safety systems ensure that there is regulation and execution of the laws governing protection against smoke as well as fire detection while preventing, controlling fighting/ putting out the fire. 4. Security systems: They assist in controlling and regulating access as well as detection of unauthorized entry. 5. People movers: different buildings have different facilities that assist in efficient and effective movement of persons within modern intelligent buildings. Such equipment includes escalators, and doors that open and closes automatically to necessitate the outward and quick but cautious movement of people upon the occurrence of an emergency. 6. Electrical power: Ensure sufficient and appropriate supply of authority within the organization. This is a technological advancement technique that allows all operations to be sustainable without fail. Security Managers’ Consideration of Intelligent Building Management Systems It will, therefore, be imperative to talk about some factors that managers and building owners should recognize, acknowledge and adhere to as their guiding principles. Such managerial considerations include: i. Building Codes and Standards Facility managers should ensure that they comply with statutory requirements. Managers need to establish adequately documented communication and building standards in nearly all the environment. Managers should also build communication infrastructure in agreement with the set building codes, regulations, and standards. They have a legal responsibility for ensuring the integrity and should develop an awareness of the existence of norms (Langston & Lauge-Kristensen, 2002). Adhering to laws and norms has the benefit of responding to four basic strategies including insurance, common law, government intervention and private self-regulation. Currently, there are approximately 600 building standards applicable to building industry with five major types. Dimensional standards comprise of height and weight. Other dimensional standards include quality and performances, defined test methods, established code of practice and terminology and buildings used in buildings and drawings. The Australian Building Codes Boards set its building code on behalf of the state and the territory Governments in 1988. The system aims at achieving consistent performance-based building regulatory systems that are efficient, effective and meet community, industry and national demands. Besides, the code has a variety of targets and bound in legislations while the government does not strictly bound changes. ii.Lifts, Escalators, and Moving Walks Managers have got the responsibility of ensuring the development and establishment of appropriate and suitable number of number of elevators. Elevators, escalators, lifts and moving walks can adequately address schedules, potentially emergencies and loads when optimized. Elevators can assist in quick but cautious movement within the facility in case of an emergency. Therefore, managers should consider modern and technologically advanced elevators developed by manufacturers. Such elevators provide call buttons for selecting the floor to run to for rescue. Managers should avoid redundancy by channeling different clients moving to the same floor into a standard elevator cab, that twill directly move to the selected flow. Such practices will result in using fewer bins that will minimize the energy costs while providing faster services. However, managers should ensure that they fit appropriate systems to establish security issues. The lifts should possess control access of clients who are getting g and those leaving. It should also have access to lift plant room with well-fitted auto recall to secure floors. Managers should consider those lifts equipped with all life safety regulations such as fire recall facilities, fire service facilities, telephones, EWIS as well as emergency power operation. iii.Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition Technology, economic pressures medical comprehension and the presence of adequate, reliable computing and network drove the evolution of HVAC. HVAC is more applicable to heating, cooling, treatment and airflow handling in buildings to provide a favorable environment suitable for the purpose that propelled the designing of the facility. HVAC is the most effective prime heat transfer medium and ensures proper ventilation of facilities while ensuring that occupants are free and safeguarded against smoke particularly in manufacturing companies. Managers should ensure that there is the appropriate development of scientifically sound HVAC that regulates physical conditions including humidity, temperature as well as air quality to the set standards. Managers should ensure minimal disturbance of occupants from physical factors such as noise, airborne particles and air quality and flow. Generally, HVAC plays an integral role in providing comfortable and healthy environment while protecting processes, equipment and systems as a measure to support life. iv. Lighting Facility managers should recognize that lighting in buildings comprises of day lighting, integration with artificial light and pure artificial lighting. The light should revolve around environmental conditions, energy utilization, the function of the area and the built environment. According to Giancole (1998), each component has fundamental elements that managers need to consider. However, the lighting and control can either be manual or automatic. Building managers should consider the types of lights available for the design suitable for the building. The presence of proper lighting is a safety and security measure. Managers in Australia have to adhere and comply with all lighting standards ranging from the 1990 general principles and recommendations to the 2006 CCTV application guides. Part of the 2001 lighting standards require managers to adhere to the maintenance of lighting systems in the building. Conclusion Indeed, Intelligent Building plays an integral role in protecting and ensuring system safety and security. It is imperative to note that the modern intelligent buildings are prone and exposed to a wider number of vulnerabilities. Consequently, the government should partner with private and non-governmental organizations to address these vulnerabilities. The world is experiencing increase in the number of crimes and terrorism and proper equipment of the buildings with modern facilities is the only way to counter attacks. Building occupiers, tenants, and architects must get actively involved for limiting this threat. References Langston, C., & Lauge-Kristensen, R. (2002). Strategic Management of Built Facilities. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann. IESNA. (2003). Guidelines for Security Lighting for People, Property and Public Space IESNA G-1-03. New York: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Blais, A., & Rasic, L. (2011). A Place Of Remembrance: Official Book of the National September 11 memorial. Washington, D.C: National Geographic. Brooks. D. (2013). Security Threats and Risks of Intelligent Building System: Protecting Building Facilities from Current and Emerging Vulnerabilities. In Badii, A, Laing, C & Vickers, P (Eds.).Securing Crucial Infrastructures and Industrial Control Systems. Approach for Threat Protection (Pp.1-16). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. (Eds.). Clements-Croome, D. J., (2004). Intelligent buildings: Design, Management and Operation. London: Thomas Telford. Coggan, D. A. (2007). Intelligent Building Systems. Retrieved from Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. (DCCEE) (2010). Building Management Systems. Australian Government. Retrieved from :< http://www.industry.gov.au/Energy/EnergyEfficiency/Non-residentialBuildings/GovernmentBuildings/EnergyEfficiencyOperations/Documents/bms-guide.pdf> Gann, D. M. (2000) Building Innovation: Complex Constructs in a Changing World. London: Thomas Telford. Myers, C. (2010). Intelligent Buildings: A Guide for Facility Managers. New York: UpWord Publishing. Salleh, H. et al. (2009). A Case Study of Intelligent Buildings in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, University of Malaysia. Retrieved from: http://repository.um.edu.my/73913/1/MRCJ.pdf So, et al., (2010).Building Automation Systems on the Internet. Facilities, 15 (5/6), Pp.125-133 Wang, S. (2009).Intelligent Buildings and Building Automation. London: Routledge Read More