When companies think about cybersecurity threats, they often consider how threats can negatively impact their employees, networks, and servers.
One source says there are 2,200 cyberattacks daily, with such an assault occuring an average of every 39 seconds. Meanwhile, a data breach in the U.S. sets companies back an average of $9.44 million per incident, and the cost of cybercrime last year was projected to come in at $8 trillion. Yes, that’s “trillion” with a “t.” So, it’s a big problem.
The same source notes that cybercrime cost the worldwide community $9.5 trillion this year. Bad actors and organized crime work tirelessly to gain unauthorized access to information, assets, and resources belonging to companies and individuals.
But while your company safeguards against cyberattacks, don’t make the mistake of taking too narrow a focus. For example, you must look at equipment like your HVAC.
HVAC units offer companies many benefits. They improve interior air quality, increase worker productivity, and even keep bugs away since pests like mosquitoes prefer humid and dry spaces over dry and cool spaces. One thing to consider, however, is you must do more to maintain your HVAC than service it annually since it could be the means through which bad actors launch cyberattacks against your business.
That’s not to lessen the importance of maintaining your HVAC equipment. If maintenance and repairs aren’t prioritized, catastrophic failure could result. That means it could fail you at the worst time and make the office uncomfortable for staff members.
So, you must find a reputable supplier if you need HVAC parts, like custom coil solutions, and book routine maintenance and service calls.
If your business’ HVAC equipment lacks IoT integration, you won’t have to worry about it from a cybersecurity perspective. But if it is connected to the internet, your IT department must be vigilant and safeguard the HVAC equipment from cyberattacks. Any device connected to the internet faces risks of ransomware, malware, denial of service, and phishing attacks. And, yes, that includes an HVAC with smart technology.
Keep reading to learn why even something as seemingly innocent as your company’s HVAC unit can present a major cybersecurity threat and how to deal with it effectively.
Connected Products Still at an Early Stage
According to the Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, corporations can lose millions of dollars due to cybersecurity risks to HVAC products. This is especially true if they lack plans to confront the risks.
It adds that connected products are still at an early stage and that few were constructed with cybersecurity considerations in mind.
Cybersecurity standards built with connected products in mind are few and far between. Meanwhile, the ones that do exist inspire little confidence since they tend to focus on the devices independent of the connectedness factor.
The Threat Is Real
HVAC equipment today isn’t like it was in yesteryear. While they now come with high-tech features and services like smart thermostats, remote monitoring, and connecting heating and cooling systems, this connectedness opens businesses up to cybersecurity risks. That’s especially true if the IoT-enabled HVAC is connected to corporate systems and networks containing proprietary information.
Since businesses might not recognize the potential threats their connected equipment pose, cybercriminals can more easily obtain unauthorized access to data.
Things Businesses Can Do To Mitigate the Risks
Businesses need to adopt more comprehensive cybersecurity plans. These strategies must cover any network, system, equipment, or device that connects to the internet. It’s also essential that IT departments focus on the human factor. Companies explain the online threats to employees and management, train them to avoid cybersecurity attacks, and communicate the penalties for violating corporate cybersecurity policies.
The right cybersecurity strategy will help safeguard businesses from risks. It simply has to be comprehensive and include possibly even the company’s HVAC equipment.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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