Cutting-edge security technology for smart heating and ventilation

By OEM Update Editorial July 8, 2019 4:54 pm IST

An overview on the smart and automated in heating and ventilation, invite potential security breach and life-threatening scenarios and its precautionary actions for a ‘safe’ and smart system.

Every connection to a network carries the risk of a potential security breach. While new advances and guidelines are quelling the risks somewhat, the increasing adoptions of IoT networks, as well as the number of devices connected to them, carry a rapidly-growing risk.

Smart and automated in heating and ventilation invite potential security
Anything that involves technology is two-sided sword. Any technology, being implemented, has to comply with certain level of responsibilities. It is as good as saying that I want everything to be smart so that it is available at every given point of time and if I need it to be available to me at all time, then there arises a concern whether you are compromising security in ensuring it is availability? Aditya Prabhu, Group CEO, Secutech Automation raises concerns by saying “We come across multiple movies where people are hacking cities. This makes me wonder whether the next biggest threat or a biggest concern won’t be terrorism, but will come from someone who is killing the power grid of a city, or someone infusing gas into an air-conditioning system remotely.”

These possibilities will do exist because we are creating a communication system where any human can communicate with the equipment. Like, when we ask, are driverless cars risky, can they exist? Yes! They can exist, and are risky equally.

As the time goes by, technology will be more matured, where safety and security will play a key role, but adapting these technologies at an early stage has its own risks, will definitely be risky, but they can reap benefits in the long run. Prabhu says, “Conclusively, if technology is implemented with responsibility, then issue of cybersecurity or any life threatening risks can easily be avoided.”

Smart HVAC is a system that is equipped with sensors so that the system does not operate in the spaces which are unoccupied in the building. According to Ashish Gupta, Sales Head, B2B, SHARP Commercial Air Purifier, “This would save energy and optimise the usage of the system. It can be connected to the BMS, so that there can be a control on the quality of air inside the building, in terms of temperature, humidity, indoor pollution levels and corrective actions can be taken, whenever any of the parameters go off limits.”

Mihir Sanghvi, President – ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter says, “There won’t be much of a threat. In fact, it will be more secured and will be better. The safety parameters are enhanced further. It actually utilises your machine to its optimum level rather than over using it.” Any machine when utilised appropriately, considering its capacity, can never get heated, there will hardly be any possibility for life threat or any system threat.

Precautionary actions for a ‘safe’ and smart heating and ventilation system
Today, average consumers, in terms of HVAC requirements, energy efficiency, are consciously taking the decision depending on the consumable energy required. Every manufacturer today, has an onus to publish the level of energy consumption and efficiency level of the equipment. However, Prabhu says, “A transparent system is evolving amidst the consumers and the manufactures regarding the energy efficiency. But, here, most of the consumers find it difficult to believe these criteria to be true. So, here the smart systems, and the IoT, play a key part in ensuring the manufacturer and the end user, on safety of their systems.”

Installation of in-built, smart HVAC system equipped with sensors for the spaces which are unoccupied in any premises and are non-operational helps in saving energy and optimises the usage of the system. Gupta concludes, “For the safety features, various sensors or meters are interconnected to the BMS (Building Management System) which in turn leads to real-time management of the indoor air quality and any deviations from the set standards can be observed and rectified.”

Sanghvi informs, “There are a lot of technological advancements coming in for safety of the users. Like, EC fans are coming into the market, which would boost the machine when it gets over heated due to over use. Moreover, there are few sensors that are attached to it, indicates if there’s an issue in working of these systems. Again, I would like to say that, any machine when over used, can’t be enough safe.”

If technology is implemented with responsibility, then issue of cybersecurity or any life threatening risks can easily be avoided
Aditya Prabhu, Group CEO, Secutech Automation

Meters are interconnected to the BMS which in turn leads to real-time management of the indoor air quality
Ashish Gupta, Sales Head, B2B, SHARP Commercial Air Purifier

I would like to say that, any machine when over used, can’t be enough safe
Mihir Sanghvi, President – ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter Mumbai Chapter