Page 178 - Cyber Defense eMagazine RSAC Special Edition 2025

How to Adopt Advanced Edge Cybersecurity to Protect

Smart Buildings

By Fabio Zaniboni, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at BubblyNet

The increasing digitization of smart buildings presents both unprecedented convenience and significant
cybersecurity challenges. With the number of IoT devices globally projected to reach 40 billion by 2030—
up from 16.6 billion in 2023, and interconnected systems managing critical functions such as access
control, HVAC, and lighting, the potential attack surface for cybercriminals continues to expand. A
comprehensive approach to security by leveraging edge computing, hardware-based solutions, air
gapped systems, and secured wireless protocols such as Bluetooth® Mesh technology, is essential to
mitigate these risks and safeguard sensitive data.

Top Biggest Security Flaws in Existing Smart Building Frameworks

Cyberattacks on IoT devices have been increasing rapidly, growing by 400% year- over year (YoY).
Traditional cybersecurity frameworks for smart buildings often rely on centralized cloud-based
architectures, creating several vulnerabilities. One of the most critical flaws lies in the dependency on
internet-connected systems to control building operations. These frameworks inherently introduce risks
such as remote exploitation, unauthorized access, and the potential for widespread system failures in the
event of a Cyberattack.

Additionally, many smart building solutions lack robust encryption standards, leaving transmitted data
susceptible to interception. Weak authentication protocols further exacerbate these risks, enabling
cybercriminals to gain entry to building networks and manipulate critical infrastructure.

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