From our homes to our workplaces, the deployment of smart technology is becoming increasingly prevalent. The Wall Street Journal notes that smart-building-related companies raised $2.88 billion in venture capital in 2021. In previous posts, we’ve discussed the increased use of smart technology in commercial real estate, the importance of a thorough and rigorous research and evaluation process, and various factors to consider in contracts for smart technology. These evaluation and contract processes are vital for developing security guardrails to which smart technology suppliers must adhere. A rigorous, security-centric approach to smart home technology can help protect real estate companies from catastrophic PR and financial fallout from a security incident such as the Mirai malware attack in 2016 that targeted insecure Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The average cost of data breach incidents increases with each year and, in 2021, the average cost of a data breach incident was $4.24 million. More than ever, companies must not only be aware of the cybersecurity risks of these technologies but take the necessary steps to address their vulnerabilities.
