NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 50

Research by Casey Grant

THE FIRE
PROTECTION
RESEARCH
FOUNDATION

Connection Risk
ARE BUILT-IN, INTERCONNECTED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
THE SOFT UNDERBELLY OF THE CYBER SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE?

n November 2013, com-

We are not starting from zero. Most
puter hackers found their
emergency response agencies have already
way into the computer
increased their focus on cyber threats on
systems of a major retailer
their systems, with law enforcement, the
and made off with inforfire service, and EMS all recognizing that
mation on more than 40 million credit
they are direct targets. This general topic
cards and other critical personal data of
isn't entirely new in fire protection, either,
customers. The resulting financial losses
which has historically played an active
for the retailer soared into the millions
role protecting critical elements of our
of dollars, while the lost time and dollars
civilized world. Perhaps most symbolic in
for consumers affected by the breach was
this regard is the disastrous 1959 Pentagon
significant.
fire that wiped out a US Department of
It is noteworthy that the hackers did not
Defense central computer center, and
directly attack the retailer's financial or
which directly led to the creation of NFPA
How well are we
personal data systems. Instead, they broke
75, Standard for the Fire Protection of
watching the many
into the networks of a Pennsylvania-based
Information Technology Equipment.
back doors into these
HVAC contractor with direct links to the
But more is needed before we are
supposedly secure
retailer's system in order to remotely
caught off guard. At this time, research
cyber kingdoms?
monitor and control the retailer's building
projects to address this topic are in their
systems. This is not uncommon in today's
conceptual stage. Later this year, the Fire
age of the Internet of Things (IoT), where
Protection Research Foundation hopes
everything is "smart" and interconnected.
to have a new research project underToday, built-in fire protection systems
way to quantify the magnitude of cyber
are everywhere, including fire alarm systems, sprinkler threat, understand the trends, expose the vulnerabilities, and
systems, special suppression systems, and so on. To improve establish recommendations for designers, installers, users, and
their capabilities, these systems are becoming more and more others responsible for reliable built-in fire protection systems.
interconnected-the ability of these systems to actively commuInterestingly, we are further learning about the importance
nicate with other systems is critical to their functionality and of this issue as we strive to address new concepts like Power
effectiveness. But this interconnectedness also raises a great over the Ethernet, where Ethernet cabling is being viewed as a
concern: Are fire protection systems being exposed as the soft viable alternative to conventional wiring. While Ethernet-savvy
underbelly of the cyber safety infrastructure?
companies are learning essential parameters from fire protecWe go to great lengths to harden today's fire-protection tion and electrical professionals such as system reliability and
systems to make sure they'll always function as intended under physical resiliency, the fire protection community is likewise
any scenario of duress, including the worst natural disasters. learning the critical importance of cybersecurity.
But how well are we watching the many back doors into these
The Internet of Things and the interconnectedness of fire
supposedly secure cyber kingdoms? What's more, is it possi- protection systems are bright lights on tomorrow's horizon and
ble for cyber hackers to incapacitate many or all these systems hold enormous promise. But just as we do for other perceived
remotely? Can false alarms be sent at random times simply to threats and hazards, we must prepare for the worst and make
tax resources? Can multiple systems be activated to serve as a sure our built-in fire protection measures are never intentiondistraction to allow another nefarious act to proceed unchecked? ally compromised.
We need to be doing more to understand and to protect today's
modern fire protection systems from these threats.
Casey Grant is executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation.

50 | NFPA JOURNAL * M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9

MICHAEL HOEWELER

I



NFPA Journal - May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - May/June 2019

Contents
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Cover1
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Cover2
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 1
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 2
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NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 4
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 5
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Contents
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NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - Cover3
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