NEW YORK CITY – Commercial realestate stakeholders aren't leaving data privacy and cybersecurityto chance in 2020. Stakeholders across the industry are clampingdown as both become a pressing challenge among connected buildings,Arie Barendrecht, CEO of WiredScore, a CRE tech firm and creator of a digitalconnectivity rating system for the sector, tellsGlobeSt.com.

"In a hyper-connected world, nocompany will stake its success on occupying a building with anun-secure digital infrastructure," he said. "If your property isn'tfortified against cybersecurity threats, you'll risk losing majortenants to landlords who are prepared to meet their tenants'evolving security needs."

Barendrecht expects increased sensitivity to cyber threatsin the sector, which will coincide with the continued emergence andreliance on digital devices and the 'Internet of Things,' he said."It is already transforming our lives at home as devices like Alexaor Google Home become a natural extension, they'll also become anatural fixture in the office," he added. 

With greater reliance ontechnology comes greater security risks. As more of these devicesare integrated into building infrastructure, vulnerabilities andexposure to attacks are expected to increase, according toBarendrecht.  

Landlords, developers andbuilding owners can get proactive in strengthening their defensesby appointing single-source cybersecurity experts to manage theirbuilding's digital infrastructure and safeguards, much the same waythat structural and mechanical engineering is handled today,Barendrecht said. "We expect leases will begin to change toinclude cybersecurity and data privacy clauses given the amount ofinformation that connected and smart buildings will naturallycollect," he said.  "Putting these physical and legalsafeguards around your digital systems is the first and most basicrequirement to a more secure digital infrastructure."

Above all, Barendrecht urges CRE stakeholders totake the time to evaluate wherebuildings currently stand as it relates to the strength of a firm'sdigital infrastructure and what the needs of tenants may be infive, 10, 15 years. "It's not too late to get ahead of the digitalcurve and ensure your building is equipped to accommodate 5G andcontinue to make seamless transitions as buildings become smarterin the years to come," he said.