Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1081695
March/April 2019 I 29 DATA, DATA, DATA The proliferation of IoT devices throughout the physical world has grown and amassed over the past decade. This, coupled with the ever-increasing amount of data that these IoT devices generate and the adoption of big data systems morphing into full machine learning based software packages, has started an interesting path — the path to the edge. Building automation systems (BAS), as they incorporate ever more digital networks, have begun walking down this path as well. The modern intelligent building produces an astounding amount of data and the impact of what can be done with it is immense. Currently, a lot of that data is wasted. Even though some of it gets collected, rolled up and sent to some server in the cloud to produce reports, the value of this data decreases proportionally with time. There is a lot of value if an IT manager or analyst were able to tap into this data in real time and utilize it, but how does one connect the dots? It is easy to point at things, like showing real time parking spot capacity, but what about optimizing HVAC systems? What about optimizing boilers and fan speeds? All of these work together in one massive system — the intelligent building. From acting on real time air quality measurements to lighting, BAS are inching closer and closer to the edge. Smart grids, smart cities, smart homes, smart factories, smart buildings. The list goes on and on. Smart technology advancements, driven by the internet of things (IoT) and machine learning, are being introduced at a furious pace. What is largely ignored, however, is how dumb security is when it comes to making these so-called smart things work. By understanding the current IoT, machine learning, and emerging technology landscape, as well as popular applications, ICT designers and installers can better evaluate whether the unikernel security infrastructure is a viable solution for their enterprise customers. This discussion presumes that physical security per ANSI/BICSI 005-2016, Electronic Safety and Security (ESS) System Design and Implementation Best Practices is followed, with the underlying knowledge that the rise in intelligent buildings and digital smart applications makes even the most stringent physical security measures still an easy target for hackers and system attackers.