TIA and UL jointly launched the SPIRE 2.0 Smart Building Program recently to enhance assessment capabilities in cybersecurity, connectivity, and sustainability.
Created in a partnership between the two organisations in 2020, the SPIRE program consists of a holistic framework across six major criteria: power and energy, health and well-being, life and property safety, connectivity, cybersecurity, and sustainability. This update to the program’s connectivity, cybersecurity and sustainability assessments helps address advanced connectivity technologies, increased cyber-threats and heightened environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements.
Enhancements include:
- Cybersecurity assessment – Provides an improved building-centric approach that addresses requirements and performance related to expanding operational technology (OT) exposure and the vulnerabilities of OT/IT convergence. The updated criteria also address growing cybersecurity governance from a global perspective.
- Connectivity assessment – Addresses emerging technologies such as single-pair ethernet and fault-managed power while improving global recognition of standards impacting networks and their designs.
- Sustainability assessment – Adds new governance requirements to complement the environmental sustainability of a building in alignment with increasing ESG initiatives. It also expands coverage in critical areas, including water management, waste management, indoor environmental quality, building lifecycle and operational management, and building management systems.
The SPIRE Smart Buildings program results from significant collaboration through a working group of more than 60 commercial real estate, real estate investment trust, asset management, technology and telecommunications industry leaders.