Security-Minded approach to Digital Engineering

The increasing use of digital technologies in the built environment is already having a transformative effect. This is leading to:

• increased levels of collaboration, within and across sectors.
• more transparent, open ways of working.
• capture of real-time information about asset use and condition.
• sharing and use of digital data and information.

Digital built assets and environments will need to deliver more demanding fiscal, functional, sustainability and growth objectives. This will promote changes in procurement, delivery and operational processes.

Off-site, factory-based fabrication and on-site automation will be used in the creation of many new built assets. The use of sophisticated cyber-physical systems, combining sensors and actuators to increase energy efficiency and better asset lifecycle management, will become commonplace. This technology is already used in transportation, utilities, infrastructure, buildings, manufacturing, health care and defence.

There is a need to manage vulnerabilities that arise from use of the technologies and processes. The types of mitigation measures used to manage the associated security risks can also be applied to protect against the loss, theft or disclosure of valuable commercial information and intellectual property, as well as personal data

Embedding good security can enhance global positioning and give a competitive advantage to commercial enterprises by building trust with their stakeholders and customers.

BS EN ISO 19650-5

BS EN ISO 19650-5:2020 is a specification for security-minded information management. It provides a framework for organisations to understand key vulnerabilities and the controls needed to manage their security risks. 

The ISO specifies the principles and requirements for security-minded management of sensitive information. It can be applied by any organisation involved in the use of information management and technologies in the creation, design, construction, manufacture, operation, management, modification, improvement, demolition and/or recycling of assets or products within the built environment.

See further information on specific types of digital engineering, technologies, projects, initiatives and specialisms:

• Smart cities
• NCSC guidance on configuring, deploying and using cloud services securely

Additional information for surveyors undertaking utilities surveys, from desktop utility records searches and site reconnaissance to utility detection and verification, has been produced by the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.