Feature
Markus Spiske | Unsplash
Ransom cyber attacks are the most common security risks today for businesses .
Criminal syndicates generally target ‘ big fish ’ to secure sizeable ransom payments . In South Africa , this includes large , listed companies and state-owned enterprises . Listed companies tend to be professionally managed , with risk committees routinely addressing cyber-security risks . These committees regularly adopt best of breed mitigation measures such as a special focus on managed services , vulnerability assessments , and contingency plans should an incident occur .
BUILDING MANAGEMENT VS BUILDING AUTOMATION VS SMART BUILDINGS When a system is specified , the consultant or engineer needs to understand what the client ’ s outcome requirement is because this affects how a system should be built to respond accordingly – are they simply looking at monitoring and reporting or are they looking for automatic action to be implemented . Will the client be looking at protection or loss management , monitoring or management of energy consumption , guidance in terms of carbon footprint , access and tracking of building occupants or automatic climate or zone control , and so on .
Building automation is associated with controlling of the various plants or systems connected to a building and managing this in a cohesive way to provide the necessary outcome , for example energy reduction . This could be illustrated by knowing that someone has booked a boardroom and then automatically switching on the lights and communication devices while measuring and monitoring various temperature inputs to pre-prepare the room to be slightly warmer or cooler depending on the weather . Then switching everything off when occupants leave .
The BMS is the link between all these separate systems and enables the improvement of user experience , overall efficiency , and the view of the assets performance , and then from all the data and statistics gathered , to introduce improvements over time .
The idea of a smart building links directly to the vast amount of data that now exists in the world . Existing ( and accurate data ) creates an environment where predictive actions can be applied . Being armed with information , you ' re able to take actions that will provide better outcomes . This means that rather than responding to a temperature change when the event occurs , you can respond long before and prepare the building for a temperature shock , as an example . Predictive capabilities come about by using artificial intelligence ( AI ) to be able to manipulate data that is available to produce a suitable outcome .
One very common misunderstanding of clients is the difference between monitoring and control . It has been seen that
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I November 2021 27