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The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is offering members resources, training, and tools to mitigate cyber risk in facility operations through a new partnership with Building Cyber Security (BCS), a non-profit organisation enhancing global safety via the development of cybersecurity protections for intelligent buildings and communities.
As buildings become smarter and more connected, the risk grows that a cyberattack to building systems can result in the shutdown of a facility, threatening occupant safety/property damage, and leading to tenant claims for business disruption. To protect against these threats and the increasing liability, FM professionals must have resources and industry best practices available to assess vulnerabilities and protect information (IT) and operations technologies (OT) systems.
Through this partnership, FMs needing to protect their own technologies, as well as client building systems and tenant safety, now have access to leading industry standards and capabilities designed specifically for the protection of tenants and facilities in the commercial real estate ecosystem.
The legacy approach to building safety and security must be updated to account for the sophistication and impact of cyber threats. In today’s interconnected world, physical security and cybersecurity in the built environment are inextricably linked. IFMA’s collaboration with BCS will offer FMs the tools and training to better communicate, coordinate and collaborate with IT and OT cybersecurity professionals for a safer, efficient, and more sustainable built environment.
IFMA President and CEO Don Gilpin said: “Integrating physical and cyber security procedures has risen in criticality. Whether leading or supporting these efforts, facility management professionals are integral to ensuring the safety of people and organisational assets. By partnering with Building Cyber Security, we can provide crucial information and upskilling on cybersecurity technology, processes and BCS’ cyber-physical framework to our members. We look forward to helping members prepare their organisations so their buildings and inhabitants will be safe today and in the future.”
BCS CEO Lucian Niemeyer added: “The wide-spread adoption of smart buildings and PropTech, aimed at enhancing both operating efficiencies and tenant experiences in commercial properties, also raises fresh cybersecurity challenges and hazards for property owners, asset operators and CEOs that can rapidly devalue an asset. Our BCS team has pioneered an easy-to-use performance framework, based on universally accepted industry benchmarks, for facility managers to recognise and evaluate cyber risks in building systems and technology. We also offer facility assessment and certifications to mitigate risk from cyber threats. We are thrilled to partner with IFMA to share our expertise and services with facility managers globally. As the voice of the FM industry, IFMA is an influential partner in advancing cyber-physical security and safety in an increasingly connected world.”
