Sapien, Honeywell to provide cybersecurity for infrastructure

Sapien Cyber and Honeywell Building Technologies have partnered to create cybersecurity solutions to support buildings and critical infrastructure sites. Sapien’s cybersecurity monitoring solution, paired with Honeywell’s expertise in buildings and cybersecurity services for operational technology (OT) will help customers address escalating threats and governance requirements.

The collaboration integrates Sapien’s OT Cybersecurity Threat Management System with Honeywell’s building and digital video management systems. Glenn Murray, CEO of Sapien Cyber, said the collaboration with Honeywell will provide a single solution unique to the Honeywell–Sapien partnership that will address clients’ end-to-end cybersecurity requirements.

“The Australian Government’s recent Security Legislation (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 underscores the increasing cyber threat and the responsibilities placed upon businesses, their respective boards and management team[s] responsible for managing critical infrastructure,” said Murray.

Brodie Raffaele, Global Director of Operations at Honeywell Building Technologies, said the collaboration with Sapien will expand and enhance its cybersecurity portfolio, providing cost-effective and practical solutions to reduce cyber risk for asset owners and operators.

“Buildings and critical infrastructure face unique OT challenges and the likelihood and impact of a cyber attack cannot be overlooked or underestimated. Honeywell is committed to helping its customers transform their buildings and critical infrastructure sites, whilst doing it in a safe and secure way,” said Raffaele.

Sapien and Honeywell are working together on several pilot projects in Australia, including a hospital and correctional facility. The companies will use learnings from these pilots to refine and expand their relationship globally. This will combine Honeywell’s industrial practitioner experience with Sapien’s technology platform and Australian-based Security Operations Centre (SOC), purpose-built to security zone level three certification.

Buildings and critical infrastructure sites are becoming smarter and highly connected to deliver improved occupant outcomes, performance insights and operational efficiencies. Buildings can contain multiple OT systems including HVAC, security, fire, CCTV, energy metering, power management and lighting, often installed or maintained by different vendors.

Therefore, it is important for asset owners to take a holistic view of the entire OT environment, looking at people, process and technology, as well as having a monitoring platform that understands these OT systems.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/adam121