Your electrical systems play a vital role in securing critical infrastructure.
Key Takeaways:
- Cyberattacks can do significant damage to commercial properties.
- Many systems within a building can face threats.
- Employing some high-end security measures can reduce your risks.
- Your electrical systems play a vital role in organizational cybersecurity.
As technology evolves, commercial buildings and their systems become increasingly interconnected. However, this connectivity makes these properties more vulnerable to cyberattacks because criminals can hit multiple targets simultaneously if they breach the system.
Companies of all sizes must protect their infrastructure, and investing in security systems is a significant part of this process. All these systems use electricity, so a building’s power systems could be the first target a cybercriminal hits.
Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce your company’s risks. Let’s review some common cybersecurity threats your commercial building could face – and how to fight back against cybercrime.
Cyber threats commercial buildings face
Businesses encounter numerous cybersecurity threats. Most modern systems have substantial connectivity, providing multiple areas where attacks can occur.
Data systems are common targets for cyberattacks. Customer, employee, and company data is incredibly valuable to criminals because they can profit by selling it to third parties or using it themselves. A data breach could also cost your company significant money; the average cost of a 2022 data breach in the United States was $9.44M.
It’s also possible for a cyberattack to grant physical access to your commercial property. If hackers can infiltrate your access-control systems, they can enter the building and get away with inventory and equipment before you know of the breach. This issue can also cost you millions of dollars.
Buildings that use smart technology for their heating and cooling, lighting, and energy-management systems could become victims of cybercrime. Hackers could target your commercial building’s network, giving them control over all these devices and creating havoc. This scenario might seem like a simple annoyance, but addressing the breach and restoring employee confidence could be challenging. Your servers could also overheat if an attack targets their cooling systems.
Even your building’s elevators could have a remote connection to your network; they often have access control systems. If a criminal gains access to this system, they could endanger staff and visitors. Therefore, protecting your network and electrical infrastructure is vital.
There could be vulnerabilities throughout your commercial property that you’ll need to address to protect your company and employees – most involve your electrical systems. Fortunately, investing in security measures can put you on the right track.
Important security measures
Investing in the necessary security measures reduces the risks your company faces. These solutions create checkpoints throughout your systems, minimizing the damage a breach can do within a commercial building.
Firewalls are an excellent way to protect your commercial buildings. Installing firewalls between every commercial building system makes it more challenging for cyber criminals to access a building’s infrastructure. For example, if a hacker manages to breach your company servers, a firewall will prevent them from also breaching your energy management or electrical systems.
You can protect company data using encryption technologies when sending and receiving information. Encryption makes this data unreadable without an encryption key, minimizing opportunities for a criminal to use it. Encrypting this information also authenticates the data’s origin and ensures it hasn’t been changed. This reduces the chances of malware infiltrating your company’s computers, servers, and electrical components.
Intrusion-detection systems make it harder for individuals who hack your access-control systems to enter the property. Intrusion detection is separate from these access controls, so you’ll know when someone who shouldn’t be on the property enters a building. Of course, these intrusion-detection systems rely on electricity to keep them running.
Taking as many steps as possible to reduce cybersecurity threats within your commercial buildings can save you significant money and hassle. Because of constant risk, these systems are becoming necessary for companies of all sizes.
How electrical security secures infrastructure
Electrical security is vital to any cybersecurity system because many components run on electricity. If a hacker can infiltrate your electrical system, they can disable other security measures and create problems for the company.
Attacking your electrical systems can also knock out computers, servers, and cooling infrastructure, making it impossible for employees to work in the building. Whether the attacker’s goal is to damage or hijack systems for ransom, the electrical system is a critical cog in the security wheel.
It all starts with having a professional contractor inspect your electrical systems to ensure they’re secure and reliable enough to withstand the unexpected. A secure power system can maintain normal operations despite a contingency event or disruption, such as a cyberattack.
You might also invest in a backup generator or uninterruptible power supply to keep your security systems active if multiple attacks occur simultaneously. Having reliable infrastructure ensures your commercial building is as safe as possible amid potential threats.
Check your electrical system
Hiring a professional contractor to inspect your electrical security systems is highly advisable. Your contractor can ensure your system has the resources to maintain operations in the face of a cyber threat and install the necessary upgrades to keep your commercial buildings safe.
Universal Electrical Services can assist with all your commercial electrical needs in South Florida. Our team can answer your electrical security questions and ensure your infrastructure meets N-1 operational standards. Contact Universal Electrical for more information on cyber threats to your commercial property – and the available solutions to overcome them.
