Episode 413: Cybersecurity Unleashed: The AI Revolution in Protecting Infrastructure

As buildings become smarter and more connected, the importance of operational resilience and cybersecurity in building systems cannot be overstated. In this episode of Controltalk Now, Fred Gordy from Michael Baker International discussed the potential dangers of social media platforms, the role of AI in cybersecurity, and the importance of having an incident response plan. On Episode 413 of ControlTalk Now The HVAC and Smart Buildings podcast, we will dive deeper into the insights shared by Fred and discuss the key takeaways from the conversation.

Thank You to Mckenneys for sponsoring this weeks show!

Fred shares his perspective on the need for operational resilience in building systems, emphasizing that security should be a top priority for building owners and integrators.

Fred recommends building owners and integrators ask themselves three key questions: what do they have, how is it connected, and who has access? By answering these questions, building owners can better understand their risk profile and prioritize their cybersecurity efforts. Fred also suggests that building owners and integrators conduct tabletop exercises to prepare for potential cybersecurity incidents, enabling them to identify gaps in their incident response plan and improve their overall resilience.

Fred also touched on the potential dangers of social media platforms, highlighting how cyber criminals can use the information shared on social media to gain access to building systems. He recommends that building owners and integrators implement strict social media policies and educate employees on the importance of protecting sensitive information. Fred also emphasized the role of AI in cybersecurity, explaining how machine learning algorithms can identify and respond to threats in real time, improving the overall security of building systems.

At Michael Baker International, Fred and his team offer consultation services to help building owners and integrators assess their risk profile and prioritize their cybersecurity efforts. By partnering with Michael Baker International, building owners can feel confident in their cybersecurity posture and better protect their assets and tenants. Their expertise in the industry ensures that they can help building owners identify potential vulnerabilities and develop a customized plan to address them.

The sponsor of the podcast episode, Mckenneys, is a mechanical contractor and building automation controls integrator that has been providing first-class solutions for building owners since 1948. Mckenneys offers a range of building automation solutions that help improve building performance, reduce energy costs, and enhance the overall occupant experience. By partnering with Mckenneys, building owners can feel confident in their building automation systems and ensure they are running at optimal performance.

As building systems become more connected and the threat landscape evolves, the importance of operational resilience and cybersecurity cannot be overstated. By partnering with industry experts like Michael Baker International and Mckenneys, building owners can better understand their risk profile, prioritize their cybersecurity efforts, and ensure their building automation systems are running at optimal performance. The key takeaways from the podcast episode are the importance of having an incident response plan, conducting tabletop exercises, implementing strict social media policies, educating employees, and leveraging AI to improve cybersecurity. Building owners and integrators should take these insights to heart and proactively address potential vulnerabilities in their systems.