Final Draft (Revised)- Summary & Reader Response

In the article, "The Expanding Roles of Sensors in Smart HVAC System", Manz (2018) addressed sensors are necessarily installed at most of the buildings to save the energy in various systems, especially the HVAC system of the buildings. The author found that the sensors allow preventive maintenance and provide the conveniences. Besides that, he mentioned that digital sensors could save the cost from the wiring "by communicating data wirelessly" instead of using the analog predecessors. Furthermore, he believed that digital sensors could save important data. So, recalibration is unnecessary. The author said that digital sensors could send the information to the facility managers if there were any deviations of the sensors' implementation which could be tracked by themselves. Lastly, the author said that the sensors would allow "for greater interoperability between hardware from different manufacturers" to make the performance of the smart buildings more simplified. I agree that smart sensors can save energy in the HVAC system and bring conveniences to facility managers. However, I think that the author has failed if he did not talk about the cyber-attack while the sensors are connected to the HVAC system via wireless in a building. The author should share the risk of using the smart sensors, more information should have been included in the article to explain the cyber-attacks and explain the approach to improve the security of the HVAC sensors. 

Firstly, Manz (2018) should share the risk of using the smart sensors -- especially in cyber-attacks -- since they are connected to the HVAC system in the building via wireless. According to Adria Security Submit, it said that there were around 8000 devices under cyberattacks at various buildings. The hacker could steal financial information easily by controlling the HVAC system. The hackers could hack in and steal the information or data from the buildings by using the loopholes of the HVAC systems. While the sensors have brought many conveniences and benefits to the world, most people gradually lack the awareness of preventing the cyber-attacks. In my opinion, the author should have explained that the use of the smart sensor in the HVAC system may cause cyberattack in the article so that the readers could understand about it. 

Secondly, more information should have been included in the article to explain the cyber-attacks. The article has mentioned that "the required information is stored in the sensor itself". It is not safe if storing all the information in a sensor at once. However, the hackers possibly seek the opportunity to steal important information from the sensors. Yang (2019) said that the hackers use their malware which they created to install in the HVAC system after completing the identification of the HVAC system with the location of the connection. Using the malware, the hackers deliver the commands to control the HVAC system. Moreover, it is dangerous once the hackers send commands to the HVAC system because they can launch into the air conditioning and try to switch all of them on, which will "cause a power surge that could disable a city’s power grid". So, the author should explain how the hackers hack into the HVAC system and the consequences to the readers. 

Lastly, Manz (2018) could explain the approach to improve the security of the HVAC sensors and prevent cyber-attack from happening. The users must check to see if their wireless internet is safe before connecting the HVAC sensors. People always have to look out for the cybersecurity, make sure there is daily checking and prepare a backup plan while the hacking case has happened. The readers may not look out for the cybersecurity since the author did not say that people must ensure security at first. Readers would have a clear idea and mind about the situation if the author states it more detail in the article. 

In conclusion, I agree that smart sensors are useful for the HVAC system in the building. But I will dispute their limitations would affect the HVAC system and users. Every coin has two sides. The cyberattack on the HVAC system would cause a potential threat. For example, hackers could also look for software for building automation, which also includes an HVAC component.

 

References

Manz, B. (2018, July 18). The Expanding Role of Sensors in “Smart” HVAC Systems. Electronic Design. https://www.electronicdesign.com/industrial-automation/article/21806809/the-expanding-role-of-sensors-in-smart-hvac-systems

Smart HVAC systems on cybersecurity and connection protocols. (2020, February 5). Adria Security Summit. https://www.adriasecuritysummit.com/smart-hvac-systems-on-cybersecurity-and-connection-protocols/

Yang, E. (2019, May 30). Smart HVAC systems vulnerable to being controlled by hackers through cyber attacks. Asmag Show Post. https://www.asmag.com/showpost/30716.aspx#:~:text=If%20attackers%20take%20over%20controls,private%20data%20would%20be%20stolen.&text=Cybersecurity%20firm%20ForeScout%20Technologies%20have,systems%20are%20vulnerable%20to%20cyberattacks