< PreviousGraham Martin Chairman & CEO EnOcean Alliance Future growth of smart buildings will be driven by economic, as well as these human factors. According to McKinsey, human activity monitoring is expected to increase productivity by 5%; human productivity organisational redesign is expected to yield 3-4% productivity, augmented reality is expected to yield 10% productivity gains, whilst energy monitoring should reduce costs by 20%; and IoT should yield a 20-50% reduction in building security costs. Such growth is all the more significant because these are percentages of large numbers. Commercial real estate services company Jones Lang LaSalle observed that, in general real, estate tenants spend roughly $3 per square foot per year for utilities, $30 for rent, and $300 per for payroll. This “3-30-300” rule of thumb makes it clear that the greatest financial benefits can be obtained by making people more productive and efficient. Pivoting toward human productivity optimisation also improves space efficiency, which in turn reduces both real estate footprint and energy costs. Leading the charge Energy efficiency programs initially led the charge to smart spaces because this is one of the specialties of building automation vendors. Moving on to human productivity requires a second pivot towards vendors and applications that can create cognitively aware digital workplaces. IoT can change the way in which machines and humans interact to make people more productive. The necessary frictionless machine-human interchanges must overcome the complexities of computing, security, and communications systems needed to accomplish the task. The industry is nevertheless finding new ways to simplify human interaction with complex machine-based systems. Why is hyper-awareness important? Without context, data alone cannot provide the ability to respond to occupants and their environment. The richer the data and context, the more adaptive the building. So, while smart buildings have limited understanding, hyperaware buildings with full instrumentation are future proof. To make this happen there needs to be a convergence of two worlds that are conventionally apart: data-focussed building automation and control on one hand and IT on the other, where intelligent networks and big data can add the context. The key is to provide an interface between intelligent, structured, secure IT and the untrusted building automation. For example, in an automated room reservation system, identity, presence, calendar, and location are needed to know who is present, when meetings can start, what content to be presented, if social distancing is being met, when a room can be released, the path to the closest exit as well as any other intelligence that will boost productivity or save cost. In this context, the network access point provides a platform with various interfaces for occupancy, distancing, rest-room materials and desk usage sensors as well as actuators, smart lighting systems; personal area network radios for heating, air quality and access control; and other energy-harvesting devices. These gateways extend the reach of monitoring and digital twin applications into legacy infrastructure, yielding deeper visibility and insights without incurring the cost of ripping-and-replacing installed devices. n Smart buildings get hyperaware smart buildings www.networkseuropemagazine.com 40Converging technologies of IoT and building automation are creating smart spaces that make workplaces safer, healthier and happier. Where IoT sensors can be considered as the eyes and ears of a smart building, it has recently been possible to join building data with context. The result is a “hyperaware” smart building - an instrumented structure in which applications are mindful of the contextual status of the environment, occupants, energy requirements, service needs, security and safety. smart buildings www.networkseuropemagazine.com 41Global giants could accelerate zero trust implementation zero trust www.networkseuropemagazine.com 42Global giants could accelerate implementation Verizon - one of the world’s largest telecommunications conglomerates - inaugurated its own Zero Trust architecture in late 2019. By embedding a Software-Defined Perimeter over its private IP networks, Verizon created a Zero Trust architecture for its private IP and ethernet customers. The company’s Vice President of product management and development, Vickie Lonker, said that with this development, “all users are isolated from the corporate network but are still able to directly access their authorised applications. It’s all about protecting corporate data, but also enabling people to do their job.” The announcement signifies a resounding endorsement of Zero Trust, but it was just one among a growing number. Even more recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that it would be pursuing Zero Trust Principles in part to secure the connections between its systems and its satellites. In August 2020, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published its own Zero Trust architecture, which doesn't just endorse but shows enterprises the way towards building their Zero Trust deployment models and use cases. The examples go on. A 2020 Pulse Secure Survey found that 72% of organisations were planning on implementing Zero Trust security in their environments. These trends signal a broader migration to Zero Trust principles, and these endorsements may accelerate it further. While there are multiple potential paths, an enterprise can take towards achieving Zero Trust, there is no one piece of technology or vendor that can bring you there. In short, it is both an architectural model for networks, and a framework for setting security policies. Zero Trust security draws a lot from the Principle of Least Privilege (POLP) a policy in which end-users are given the minimum amount of access they need to carry out their jobs. This helps reduce pathways and exposure to malware, attackers, and the chances of data exfiltration. In IT, we allot privileges based on trust. Hence, Zero Trust is a network that does not automatically grant trust to any entity, user, device, and network. In traditional perimeter networks — the kind that we’ve relied on for years — users authenticate at the perimeter edge and are then commonly granted wide-ranging access to the data and systems inside: “Permit the good and deny the bad” as the saying goes. Yet these networks were built at a time when we could build strong walls and rigorously control and watch who and what came in. With IoT proliferation, increased remote workforce, cloud adoption, and digital transformation, those walls are no longer so solid. When Forrester first published its concept of Zero Trust in 2010 they declared that the architects of the current enterprise network thought about infrastructure and neglected data, “Networking professionals built legacy networks from the outside in.” That is to say, those architects built from the internet- connected network edge inwards and focused on connectivity as opposed to security. That process, they added, “is untenable today. Cyberthreats have increased, while various laws and regulations track security postures more closely than ever. Shifting traffic flows and threats are forcing changes to the way we build and operate networks. We must build tomorrow’s networks securely from inception.” The Zero Trust model promises to overhaul those tired concepts and protect the data at the level of the data while analysing and authenticating connected entities throughout their interaction with the network and the systems within. The global pandemic is also likely to speed along the adoption of Zero Trust security. Covid-19 forced companies the world over to batten down the hatches and send their workforce's home. As a result, many had to enable mass remote workforce capability and functionality directly from their living rooms, kitchens, and home offices for hundreds, sometimes thousands of staff. Zero Trust trusts no entity by default and is constantly authenticating that entity throughout their network sessions so it seems a good fit when dealing with potentially insecure networks, users, and home devices - flung far from the security of the traditional network perimeter. Remote working was on an upward trend before the pandemic and is likely to continue for long after. So will Zero Trust security. Zero Trust implementation is on an upward trajectory - The Zero Trust market in the US is expected to grow to $38.6 billion by 2024 and the wider world is taking notice. The adoption of Zero Trust by bodies like Verizon may yet do much to endorse Zero Trust security in the minds of smaller companies - it's up to them to follow through. n Mike Riemer Global Chief Security Architect Pulse Secure Zero Trust security has recently reached new heights of significance with a series of endorsements from corporate giants and government bodies alike. This move signals further validation in the wide-scale adoption of the Zero Trust model. zero trust www.networkseuropemagazine.com 43Daniel Quelch Sustainability Manager Epson In 2019, the world lost over 11.9 million hectares of tree cover. That’s the equivalent of losing an entire American football pitch of primary forest every six seconds. rethinking recycling www.networkseuropemagazine.com 44 In 2015, a group of scientific researchers from Yale made an interesting discovery. By using new and improved methods of detecting tree density, they calculated that previous estimates of tree numbers on earth were highly inaccurate. Instead of 400 billion trees, or 50 trees for every human being, they calculated that the planet is actually home to over three trillion trees, which is 422 per human head. However, this revised number still leaves the planet with 46% fewer trees than it had before the process of deforestation began around 10,000 years ago. Despite reforestation efforts, there are now fewer trees on earth than at any time in human history. But how do we begin to reverse a decline that began in the Ice Age? As with almost any seemingly insurmountable challenge, it's best to start with small steps. As both individuals and businesses, we are accustomed to making small, incremental changes when making or adopting sustainability policies. For example, at home, we may already be separating our rubbish into different bins or perhaps some are even considering buying a hybrid car. At work we are often encouraged to recycle more and consider whether we need to print the likes of emails. While these are all important steps, the change in behaviour – and the change in thinking – is small. Back in 2015, the Yale researchers estimated that we still face a net loss of around 10 billion trees per annum. In fact, the University of Maryland announced that in 2019, the world lost over 11.9 million hectares of tree cover. That’s the equivalent of losing an entire American football pitch of primary forest every six seconds for the entire year. With paper still in high demand, in both enterprise and home settings, we need to think bigger. Currently, many businesses across the world recycle paper through an extensive process that requires transporting used paper from the office to a papermaking (recycling) facility. This is both laborious and expensive, not to mention a drain on energy and fuel, and worse, a lot of businesses don’t recycle paper at all. While the European Paper Recycling Council estimates that paper recycling in Europe increased from 71.7% in 2018 to 72% in 2019, there’s still a long way to go. So, where do we start and why is it so important? Focusing on sustainability For businesses, incorporating greener measures and better recycling measures has numerous benefits. Aside from the obvious environmental advantages, they would also be future proofing themselves by making their offices smarter and better equipped for a world which is increasingly focused on business sustainability. For those wishing to attract and retain the best talent in the future, ensuring the company has green credentials is of high importance. In fact, our recent research shows that a significant 81% of employees say the environmental and social impact of their employer is important. A further 32% go so far as to say it’s one of the primary things they look for in an employer. When thinking about tech, the statistics also show that 83% of employees believe the use of "green technology" to improve the environmental and social impact of businesses is important. Yet, despite the eco expectations of the workforce, only 24% of employees believe that meeting environmental and social impact targets is a priority for businesses. Bringing recycling in-house One alternative is to bring the recycling process in-house, allowing businesses to future-proof their offices and take control of their paper supplies. This also represents a much more fundamental transition in the way we think about paper waste – shifting away from small, individual actions, towards larger and more transformative, organisational change. Businesses can already make steps towards this goal by investing in an in-office paper-making system, which uses a dry process (no water required) to turn used paper from securely shredded wastepaper into new paper. While this may sound like a cumbersome process, one existing solution operates on-demand, producing a piece of new paper in as little as three minutes. That ladders up to 12 A4 sheets per minute, 720 sheets per hour, or 5,760 sheets per 8-hour working day. An in-house paper recycler also helps organisations cut down CO2 emissions, as paper waste no longer needs to be transported off site. Additionally, traditional recycling uses vast amounts of another precious natural resource – water. However, PaperLab uses virtually no water to produce new paper, only enough to keep the product humid, therefore businesses can securely destroy sensitive information, upcycle it into new paper while making a conscious effort to protect the environment and join the circular economy. This in-house recycling method is an example of closed loop recycling, where little to nothing is wasted. If more organisations adopt similar closed loop recycling methods, reforestation can continue to progress and succeed at a much faster rate. A new approach We need to think differently about how we recycle. Small steps don’t add up to the big change required to reverse the ongoing and devastating effects of deforestation. Technology has the power to make it easier and much more viable for companies to recycle paper waste. One centralised system also takes the pressure off individual employees and puts the responsibility back on the business to take action and securely gain control of paper supplies. nrethinking recycling www.networkseuropemagazine.com 45 Rethinking recycling : How businesses can adopt in-office paper recycling to make real change Didier Willems Project Design & Support Department Manager Nexans Cabling Solutions Smart cabling for new wireless technology smart cabling www.networkseuropemagazine.com 46 Today, more and more people are working remotely, and becoming more reliant on cloud-based applications. As a result, enterprises need to be more flexible when it comes to workplaces and advanced wireless solutions that facilitate collaboration, improve access to information and software, and boost productivity. A recent study by Deloitte shows that networking executives consider advanced wireless technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6 as a multiplier for other innovative technologies, such as AI, IoT, cloud, and edge computing. What’s more, the study shows new wireless technologies are seen as being foundational to transforming enterprises and industries – and not as an evolution of existing technologies. As the number of wireless devices we use increases by double digits, more bandwidth becomes essential. However, the larger the number of devices connected, the more this bandwidth is diluted – to the point of becoming unusable. The 9.6 Gbps theoretical maximum speed of Wi-Fi 6, which can be shared across all devices in a network, is almost three times higher than the 3.5 Gbps offered by Wi-Fi 5. However, the key benefit is the fact that this additional data can be shared across devices on a network. Wi-Fi 6 allows devices to send more data in a single transmission, increasing data throughput by up to 20%. Furthermore, higher order modulation (1024-QAM) provides a further significant boost for network efficiency and data transmission. Wi-Fi 6 works with MU-MIMO (multi-user, multiple input, multiple output) technology, which enables broadcasting to eight devices in parallel, more than twice as many as today. To make the most of the potential benefits Wi-Fi 6 offers, the entire network needs to support higher data, latency, and power requirements –without over specifying and overspending. It is vital to realise that as data rates smart cabling www.networkseuropemagazine.com 47and bandwidth goes up, the reach of the wireless network decreases. Therefore, it is recommended to add significantly more Wireless Access Points and check current cable length limits. Wi-Fi 6 will push Wi-Fi speeds right up to 10 Gbps. Most Wi-Fi 5 Access Points are equipped with 1Gbps interfaces, severely limiting potential bandwidth. A Wi-Fi 5 WAP connected with Cat 5e /or Cat 6 can, at the very most, reach 2.5/5GB using ‘multigigabit’ technologies. Although 2.5Gbps or 5Gbps might initially suffice, to really future-proof your network and make sure you're ready for more demanding applications, 10 Gbps over cat.6A is a smart choice. Increasing the potential bandwidth in the network access also means preparing the backbone of the network for higher throughput. This affects the cabling as well as the active components such as switches, routers and firewalls. Power for next-generation wireless Because Wi-Fi 6 radio transmitters natively run with more spatial streams, they also require more power. Wi-Fi 6 Access Points powered using Power over Ethernet will probably require PoE+ (802.3at) or higher. One way of getting all necessary infrastructure installed, connected and powered in a fast, cost-effective and future-proof way is by introducing a Digital Ceiling concept. The Digital Ceiling is an open, unified platform, allowing building managers and application developers to continuously introduce new functionalities. This approach also offers the possibility to connect further Smart Building applications and introduce power-saving technologies using one IT infrastructure. The Digital Ceiling approach helps achieve maximum IT infrastructure performance and flexibility. Obviously, the ceiling is an ideal place to install wireless access points: they’re out of harm’s way, largely invisible, and can provide far better coverage from an overhead position. The data/ power/control network is connected throughout an entire building via an overhead honeycomb configuration offering a significant number of (powered) connection points. In this way, devices can be linked to building automation. Network switches, sensors, controls, WLAN access points and other distributed building services are simply plugged in and immediately powered and connected to the network. Besides enabling faster, powered Wireless Access Points, the Digital Ceiling approach allows networks to support a wide range of devices and applications, from communications and telephony to facility management systems, security and access control, and IoT devices. It also allows networks to keep up with the demand that is going to keep expanding in the coming years, the introduction of new applications and devices, and the constantly changing use of building spaces. smart cabling www.networkseuropemagazine.com 48 The Digital Ceiling approach helps achieve maximum IT infrastructure performance and flexibility.All over IP More and more building systems, from AV and access control to fire systems and LED lighting, are merging onto IP networks that allow an almost unlimited number of devices to be connected. In this case, the LAN offers a physical communication layer as well as PoE. Connected IP devices use the same protocols ‘end to end’ so all devices work together seamlessly and can directly communicate with cloud applications. Built-in protocols enhance security and systems can be scaled easily to accommodate changing requirements or growth. In the coming years single-pair Ethernet will further expand IP convergence. IoT devices such as sensors can perform adequately using the more limited data rate provided by the new Single Pair Ethernet protocols and may be powered with PoDL (Power over Data Line). Single- pair Ethernet cabling sub-systems will connect these low bandwidth devices to Consolidation Points located in the ceiling. Here groups of up to four of these single-pair Ethernet signals will be combined into the generic four-pair cabling. ISO/IEC 11801 and EN50173 series are currently under revision in order to provide cabling manufacturers, designers and contractors with the foundation of wider converged LAN cabling systems to make smart buildings more intelligent. Building the ‘digital foundation’ With new wireless technologies and a ‘Digital Ceiling’ approach, it becomes possible to provide the services building occupants and managers will need in the near future and for years to come, in a way that enhances the user experience while reducing energy usage. This can only be implemented if a suitable cabled network is in place to provide a ‘digital foundation’ for future development. n smart cabling www.networkseuropemagazine.com 49 With new wireless technologies and a ‘Digital Ceiling’ approach, it becomes possible to provide the services building occupants and managers will need in the near future and for years to come.Next >