As universities, colleges, and schools embrace digital transformation, the modern campus is becoming a network of interconnected systems, from lighting and HVAC to CCTV, access control, and energy management. This shift has created smarter, more efficient estates, but it has also introduced a new kind of vulnerability: cyber risk at the building level. Cybersecurity is no longer just the responsibility of IT teams. For estates and facilities leaders, it’s now a core part of operational resilience and compliance…
The Expanding Attack Surface
Smart building systems were once stand-alone, managed by on-site engineers. Today, they’re increasingly cloud-connected and integrated through Building Management Systems (BMS) and IoT platforms. Each connected sensor, gateway, and control panel represents a potential entry point for cyber attackers.
According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), attacks on operational technology (OT), including facilities and building systems, have risen sharply as threat actors exploit unpatched devices or unsecured network connections. For education estates managing vast infrastructure and multiple access points, the risks are multiplied.
Where Cyber Meets FM
The challenge for estates managers is that cybersecurity responsibilities often sit between departments. IT oversees data networks, while FM manages the systems physically connected to them. This divide can create blind spots, particularly where legacy systems or contractor-managed platforms are concerned.
Forward-thinking institutions are closing that gap through cross-functional security governance, ensuring FM, IT, and procurement collaborate on system design, access control, and supplier management.
For example, a contractor installing a new HVAC unit or CCTV system should follow the same cybersecurity protocols as the institution’s IT team, including device hardening, password control, and encrypted communications.
Building Cyber-Resilient Estates
Key best practices include:
- Network segmentation: Isolating building systems from academic and administrative networks.
- Access management: Limiting user credentials and ensuring strong authentication for all connected systems.
- Regular patching and monitoring: Applying software updates promptly and continuously monitoring for abnormal network behaviour.
- Supplier assurance: Requiring vendors to meet standards such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001.
- Incident planning: Integrating OT and FM systems into broader cyber incident response frameworks.
The New Role of the FM Professional
As education estates grow more digital, the line between physical and cyber security is disappearing. Facilities leaders are now custodians not just of buildings, but of the data and systems that make them work.
By embedding cybersecurity into every procurement, maintenance, and operational decision, they can ensure the smart campuses of the future are not only efficient, but secure by design.
Top 5 Cybersecurity Priorities for Smart Campus FM Leaders
- Map Every Connected System
Audit all IoT and smart building devices across your estate, from HVAC and lighting to CCTV and access control, to understand where vulnerabilities may exist. - Segment Operational Networks
Keep building management and IoT systems on isolated networks separate from administrative and academic IT environments to limit lateral cyber movement. - Strengthen Supplier Security
Ensure all contractors and vendors meet cybersecurity requirements such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001, and include these standards in procurement contracts. - Maintain and Patch Regularly
Treat firmware and software updates as a safety-critical activity, unpatched systems are one of the most common entry points for attackers. - Build a Unified Response Plan
Coordinate incident response across estates, IT, and security teams to ensure cyber and physical threats are managed together under one framework.
Are you researching Cybersecurity Solutions for your education institution? The Education Forum can help!
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