Why Hackers Love Smart Buildings

Buildings are getting smarter, and that opens them up to a host of new cybersecurity risks.

In recent years, building managers increasingly have relied on internet connections and computer networks to manage pretty much any part of a building you can think of—including elevators and escalators; ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems; office machines like printers and conference-room audiovisual equipment; security and fire-safety systems; and appliances like refrigerators and coffee makers.

These smart technologies can make buildings more efficient and monitor maintenance and repair needs, allowing building operators to address problems proactively, rather than fixing malfunctions as they occur. During the pandemic, they have made it easier to monitor airflow and people’s movements within buildings.

Smart buildings “satisfy a lot of things that we’re trying to do in real estate,” says Jason Lund, a managing director at commercial real-estate services company Jones Lang LaSalle. He says, among other things, it allows building managers to create more-sustainable and greener buildings, deal with Covid risks more effectively, and maximize space more efficiently.

“All of those things being managed technologically is a good thing,” Mr. Lund says. “The backside of it is that all of them become hackable.”

The problem isn’t just that hackers can gain access to any one building-management system. The real danger is if they are able to gain access to a single system—say, lighting—and then find their way from there into many or all of the building’s other systems, whether those systems are linked to a common network or not.

“They can control lights, they can control air flow, they can control the elevators—anything that you can think that a building does can be exposed,” says Fred Gordy, director of cybersecurity at Intelligent Buildings, a smart-building consulting and advisory firm. “We had a particular case where it was a hospital group” whose systems were attacked for a ransom, he says, “and they were unable to do anything with the systems, so they had to cancel surgeries [and] send people away.”

Mr. Gordy says the number of ransomware attacks on the firm’s clients grew 600% in 2020. In 2019, he says, “our customers that were attacked represented 100 million square feet in commercial real estate. In 2020, our customers that were attacked represented 1.8 billion square feet of commercial real estate.”

What’s more, hackers who infiltrate building-management systems might also be able to work their way into a company’s corporate communications and databases, where they can loot the company’s proprietary information or hold it for ransom.

Getting in and around

So how does all this happen? One way hackers commonly gain initial access is to steal the login credentials—or obtain the stolen credentials from a third party—that a vendor uses to upload invoices to the building manager’s billing system, says Mr. Lund.

Once they’ve gained access to a billing system, or gotten into the building manager’s computer system through any other internet-connected point, hackers have many ways of broadening their access. One of the most common is to use whatever information they have found to create convincing phishing emails that prompt employees or other vendors to reveal login and password information for other systems.

One way to cut down on that risk is to link all the various building services to a single network that can be monitored and controlled by cybersecurity experts, says Adam Stark, senior technology consultant for smart buildings and smart workplaces at JLL.. But that network—and everything on it—remains vulnerable if it isn’t sufficiently protected.

Hackers can move around a network like this by taking advantage of weak safeguards in place for the various systems and devices connected to the network, says Ron Cirillo, vice president of cybersecurity and service excellence at Oxford Properties Group.

“There’s a lot of very lazy work that went into designing authentication methods and identity-management methods” at many buildings, he says, citing weak passwords as one example, particularly for what might be considered relatively unimportant devices whose vulnerability to hackers might be overlooked.

“It has been my experience that operators do not tend to think of these smart devices—your coffee maker, for example—in the same way that they would think of a server or desktop computer,” Mr. Cirillo says. “As such, they will often neglect to change a factory default password, or if they do change it, they will often assign poor passwords and/or assign all devices the same password to keep it simple.”

Systems that are clearly essential also often aren’t well protected, he says, and so are easy prey for a hacker who has broken into a network. For instance, a hacker using the guest Wi-Fi in a shopping mall could find a building-management system on the same network, and “if that building-management system is using a factory default password, you could Google the password and you could sit in a mall food court and take over the air conditioning or the lighting,” he says.

Setting up barriers

Cybersecurity experts cite what they call network segmentation as crucial to keeping hackers from running amok once they’ve gained access to a computer network. Segmentation simply means building barriers into a network so that someone who has access to one system can’t easily gain access to other systems on the network.

“We logically segment every system, so in other words that if you are the air-conditioning vendor you can log into the air conditioner using our privileged access-management system, but you’re not able to route to, say, the lighting system, or the overall building-management system,” says Mr. Cirillo.

“The challenge is that putting that kind of network segmentation in place requires hiring skilled network engineers, and it requires time and effort,” he says.

Requiring multifactor authentication for anyone to access any part of the network is another basic step that goes a long way toward thwarting attacks and keeping them from spreading, the experts say.

But, of course, even with the most conscientious controls in place, no system is invulnerable. A breach is always possible “because the human-being side of it is one of the hardest to monitor,” says Mr. Lund, pointing to the risks from phishing emails, stolen user credentials and uncancelled login access for departed employees.

The 1950s spawned society’s view of kitchens as the heart of the home, a hub for gathering, cooking, eating and socializing. Thus, it makes perfect sense that the same decade could inspire today’s luxury kitchens.

“The deliberate playfulness and genius of the era’s designers have enabled the mid-century style to remain a classic design and one that still sparks joy,” said James Yarosh, an interior designer and gallerist in New Jersey.

That playful style spotlights details like coloured cabinets, checkerboard and mosaic tile patterns, vintage lighting, and SMEG appliances—all of which are a conspicuous rejection of the sterile, monochrome kitchens that have defined luxury home design for years. One of the hottest brands to incorporate into retro-style kitchens, SMEG is turning up more these days. But the question is: How do you infuse a colourful refrigerator and other elements from this nostalgic era without creating a kitschy room?

“The key to a modern, fresh look in your kitchen is to reference, not imitate, signature looks of the 1950s,” said New York-based designer Andrew Suvalsky, who often laces retro style throughout the rooms he designs. He said using the period as inspiration will steer you away from imagining a garish space.

“When it comes to incorporating that retro-esque look, it’s a fine dance between looking beautiful and looking kitschy,” added Lisa Gilmore, a designer in Tampa, Florida. Gilmore suggested balancing contemporary pieces with vintage touches. That balance forges a functional yet attractive design that’s easy to live with while evoking a homey atmosphere––and ultimately, a room everyone wants to be in.

Colour Reigns Supreme

Suvalsky said one way to avoid a kitschy appearance is to mingle woods and colours, such as lacquered base cabinets and walnut wall cabinets, as he did in his Montclair, New Jersey, kitchen.

“Mixing colours into your kitchen is most effective when it’s done by colour-blocking––using a single colour across large areas of a space––in this case, zones of cabinetry,” he explained. He tends to lean toward “Easter egg colours,” such as baby chick yellow and pale tangerine. These soft pastels can suggest a starting point for the design while lending that retro vibe. But other hues can spark a vintage feel as well.

A mid-century-inspired kitchen by Blythe Interiors.
Natalia Robert

“Shades of green and blue are a timeless base foundation that work for a 1950s vintage look,” said designer Jennifer Verruto of Blythe Interiors in San Diego. But wood isn’t off the table for her, either. “To embrace the character of a mid-century home, we like a Kodiak stain to enhance the gorgeous walnut grain,” she said. “This mid-tone wood is perfect for contrasting other lighter finishes in the kitchen for a Mid-Century Modern feel.”

Since colour is subjective, a kitchen lined with white cabinetry can assume a retro aesthetic through accoutrements and other materials, emanating that ’50s vibe.

“The fun of retro designs is that you can embrace colour and create something that feels individual to the house and its homeowner, reflecting their tastes and personality,” Yaosh said. He recommended wallpaper as an option to transform a kitchen but suggested marrying the pattern with the bones of the house. “Wallpaper can create a mid-century or retro look with colours and hand-blocked craftsmanship,” he said. “Mauny wallpapers at Zuber are a particular favourite of mine.”

Suvalsky suggested Scalamandre wallpapers, for their 1950s patterns, and grass cloth, a textile that was often used during that decade. He also likes House of Hackney, a brand that “does a great job reinventing vintage prints in luscious colours,” he noted. “Many of their colourways invert the typical relationship between light and dark, with botanical prints in dark jewel tones set over light, more playful colours.”

Materials Matter

Beyond wall covering, flooring, countertops and backsplashes can all contribute to the 1950s theme. Manufactured laminate countertops, specifically Formica, were all the rage during the decade. But today’s high-end kitchens call for more luxurious materials and finishes.

“That’s a situation where going the quartz route is appropriate,” Gilmore said. “There are quartzes that are a through-body colour and simple if someone is doing colorued cabinetry. A simplified white without veining will go a long way.” She also recommended Pompei quartz Sunny Pearl, which has a speckled appearance.

A kitchen designed by James Yarosh that incorporates pops of yellow.
Patricia Burke

But for those who welcome vibrant colour schemes, countertops can make a bold statement in a vintage kitchen. Gilmore said solid surface materials from the era were often a colour, and quartz can replicate the look.

“Some brands have coloured quartz, like red,” she said. But keeping countertops neutral allows you to get creative with the backsplash. “I‘d pull in a terrazzo backsplash or a bold colour like a subway tile in a beautiful shade of green or blush,” Gilmore said. “Make the backsplash a piece of art.”

Suvalsky also leans toward bright and daring––such as checkerboards––for the backsplash. But depending on the kitchen’s design, he’ll go quieter with a double white herringbone [tile] pattern. “Either version works, but it must complement other choices, bold or simple, in the design,” he explained.

Neutral countertops with a bold backsplash, designed by Lisa Gilmore.
Native House Photography

Likewise, his flooring choice almost always draws attention. “My tendency is more toward very bold, such as a heavily veined marble or a pattern with highly contrasting tones,” he noted. Yarosh suggested slate and terrazzo as flooring, as these materials can make an excellent backdrop for layering.

Forge a Statement With Vintage Appliances

As consequential as a kitchen’s foundation is, so are the appliances and accoutrements. While stainless steel complements contemporary kitchens, homeowners can push the design envelope with companies like SMEG when making appliance selections for a retro-style kitchen. Although Suvalsky has yet to specify a SMEG fridge, he is looking forward to the project when he can.

“I think they work best when the selected colour is referenced in other parts of the kitchen, which helps to integrate these otherwise ‘look at me’ pieces into the broader design,” he noted. “They are like sculptures unto themselves.”

“For our mid-century-inspired projects, we’ve opted for Big Chill and the GE Cafe Series to bring a vintage look,” Verruto added. Similar to SMEG, Big Chill and GE offer a vintage vibe in a wide selection of colours and finishes, alongside 21st-century performance.

Can’t commit to a full-size appliance? Sometimes, a splash is enough. Gilmore tends to dust her retro kitchens with a coloured kettle or toaster since her clients are likelier to add a tinge with a countertop appliance or two. “Mint green accessories make it pop, and if in five years they are over it, it’s not a commitment,” she said. “It’s a great way to infuse fun and colour without taking a major risk.”

Deck out the Breakfast Nook

Kitchen dining areas present the opportunity to introduce retro lighting, furniture, and accessories to complete the look. Flea markets and antique markets are excellent places to hunt for accompaniments.

“Dome pendants and Sputnik chandeliers are iconic styles that will infuse vintage charm into your kitchen while also easily complementing a variety of other styles,” Verruto said.

A retro breakfast nook desinged by Andrew Suvalsky.
DLux Editions

Suspend a vintage light fixture over the classic Saarinen table, and you can’t go wrong.

“Saarinen Tulip Tables are almost always guaranteed to deliver a home run in nearly any interior, especially a 1950s-themed kitchen,” Suvalsky said. “The simplicity of its form, especially in white, makes it nearly impossible to clash with.”

To really channel the vibe of this era, Verruto suggested local vintage stores and brands such as Drexel Heritage and Lexington. Dressing the windows counts, too. “Cafe curtains in a chintz pattern will make for a fabulous finishing touch,” she said.

Meanwhile, Yarosh delights in selecting tabletop items, including novelty stemware and other trappings ubiquitous in the 1950s. “Mid-century kitchens also need to have pedestal cake plates and maybe a cloche to keep a cake,” he mused. “I love the opportunity to curate these details down to the correct fork and serving pieces.”

Why Hackers Love Smart Buildings

When all of a building’s systems are online, the cybersecurity risks become much greater.

Getting in and around

Setting up barriers

Playful 1950s style spotlights details like coloured cabinets, checkerboard and mosaic tile patterns, vintage lighting, and SMEG appliances