The advancement of building automation has taken commercial HVAC systems from independent, locally controlled equipment to cloud-connected environments. Nowadays, remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven optimization are normal requests in any modern commercial building.
But where there is more connectivity, there are also greater cybersecurity vulnerabilities. A secure network architecture must be planned to safeguard the HVAC systems, operational data, and business continuity. With good security habits and tailored networking solutions, commercial buildings can take these steps towards connected HVAC with confidence.
The Move to Networked Commercial HVAC Systems
Traditionally, individual HVAC systems worked independently and were only accessed from a control room in the field. Modern commercial buildings depend on IoT sensors, smart controllers, and cloud platforms for real-time data visibility and the ability to access remotely from anywhere.
This connectivity is beneficial for efficiency and visibility, but it also leads to new attack opportunities. Unprotected HVAC systems can be subject to unauthorized intrusion, data compromise, or facility control compromise. Hence, security should be incorporated as proverbial” from the ground up in system design.
The First Line of Defense: Network Segmentation
17 Mar 2020 One of the best ways to secure networked HVAC systems is through segmentation. This would include better isolation of building automation networks from corporate IT networks and the public internet.
By ensuring that HVAC controllers, sensors, and field devices are on separate VLANs or subnets, the likelihood of compromise and lateral movement can be minimized. Segmentation is also helpful for optimizing network performance and can make system troubleshooting easier.
Control Store’s offerings of network and IoT solutions are appropriate for even segmented architectures in order to aid system integrators in integrating secure, well-organized commercial HVAC networks that meet today's IT security standards.
VPN Gateways for Secure Remote Access
Remote connectivity is critical for maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimizing performance, especially in large commercial fleets or multi-site businesses. But connecting HVAC systems to the internet also creates serious security risks.
VPN gateways offer a more secure solution because they encrypt information and allow only authorized users to access the system. VPNs enable service technicians and facility administrators to make a remote connection without risking controllers or other devices to outside attack.
Control Store is a provider of VPN gateways targeting specifically building automation, requiring secure, remote access with controlled user access, authentication, and encryption.
Using Secure Communication Protocols
HVAC system security depends on communication protocols. A large number of older protocols were not designed with security features such as encryption or authentication, and are therefore at risk when used over an IP network.
Contemporary secure protocols guarantee data integrity and do not allow unauthorized commands to control the device. Wherever older systems are still being used, protocol converters can provide a solution –adapters guarantee that older equipment is able to communicate securely with new IP-based systems.
Control Store’s gateway virtualizes interface equipment, allowing commercial premises to upgrade HVAC networks with existing plant, adding years to capital asset utilization whilst increasing cybersecurity.
Securing IoT Devices at the Edge
The sensors and devices we see deployed widely within a commercial HVAC network are those at the edge, on IoT. These systems should be defended with secure configuration settings, restricted access permissions, and limited network exposure.
That's your low-hanging fruit right there, per the best practices: Disable unused services, require strong authentication, and keep firmware updated. Risk is further mitigated when edge devices operate behind firewalls and secure gateways.
Their Network-IoT products are designed with industrial-grade robustness and security for use in challenging commercial building automation environments.
Balancing Cloud Connectivity and Security
The problem is that - while cloud platforms do in fact come with powerful analytics, fault detection, and optimization tools - it is imperative for those to be integrated in a secure manner.
A strong architecture leverages encrypted tunnels, role-based access control, and continuous monitoring to secure data travel between on-premises systems and the cloud. When delivering these capabilities in a secure cloud model, sources of both cost and complexity can be erased. With the appropriate infrastructure network, all sizes of commercial buildings can tap into cloud intelligence without sacrificing security policy requirements.
Operate Networks You Can Trust with Control Store, the Future-Proof HVAC Network Solution
It doesn't have to be higher risk to move your commercial HVAC systems into connected cloud environments. With best practices, like network segmentation, VPN-based remote access solutions, secure communication protocols, and secured IoT devices applied by facility managers, connections can be achieved without trading off security.
Control Store’s VPN gateways, Network-IoT solutions, and protocol converters form the foundation blocks of secure and scalable HVAC networks that can meet the needs of both today’s commercial buildings and tomorrow’s intelligent infrastructure.