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Smart Building & IoT Integration

Building automation, access control, and cameras converged with your network and security infrastructure.

A smart building isn't a building with smart gadgets bolted on — it's a facility where every connected system shares a common network backbone, a unified security posture, and a single management interface. Forged integrates building automation, access control, surveillance, IoT sensors, and lighting controls into your IT and cybersecurity infrastructure so you get operational intelligence without creating a sprawling, unmanageable attack surface.

What's Covered

Scope of Assessment

Building Automation Systems (BAS)

Central control of HVAC, lighting, and mechanical systems through a unified management platform. Scheduling, setpoints, alarm management, and energy optimization from a single dashboard.

Access Control & Identity

Card readers, biometric scanners, mobile credentials, and visitor management integrated with your directory services. Zone-based access policies enforced at every door.

Video Surveillance & Analytics

IP camera systems with retention policies, motion analytics, license plate recognition, and remote viewing. Network-designed for bandwidth demands without choking your business traffic.

IoT Sensors & Environmental Monitoring

Temperature, humidity, water leak, air quality, occupancy, and power monitoring sensors deployed on purpose-built network segments with proper security controls.

Lighting Controls & Energy Management

Occupancy-based lighting, daylight harvesting, scheduling, and scene control. Integrated with BAS for coordinated energy management and tenant comfort.

Intercom, Paging & Audio/Visual

IP-based intercom systems, emergency paging, digital signage, and conference room AV — all running on structured network infrastructure with QoS policies to guarantee performance.

Our Process

How It Works

01

Connected Systems Audit

We inventory every connected device and system in your facility — or define what needs to be deployed in a new build. Each system is mapped to the network infrastructure that will support it.

  • Device inventory — every camera, sensor, controller, reader, and panel cataloged
  • Network dependency mapping — bandwidth, latency, and availability requirements per system
  • Security posture assessment — default credentials, unpatched firmware, flat network segments
  • Integration capability review — protocols, APIs, and interoperability between systems
02

Convergence Architecture Design

We design a network architecture where building systems and IT systems coexist securely. Dedicated VLANs, firewall rules, and access policies ensure IoT devices can't become a backdoor into your business network.

  • Segmented network design — building systems isolated from corporate traffic
  • Firewall rules and access control lists between IoT and business VLANs
  • Bandwidth allocation and QoS policies for video, voice, and sensor traffic
  • Redundancy and failover planning for life-safety systems (access control, fire, emergency paging)
  • Cloud vs. on-premise decision framework for each management platform
03

Deployment & Commissioning

Every device installed, configured, and tested against the design specification. Firmware updated, default credentials eliminated, and monitoring agents deployed before the system goes live.

  • Device provisioning — firmware updates, credential hardening, certificate enrollment
  • Integration testing between systems (e.g., access event triggers camera recording)
  • Management platform configuration — dashboards, alerts, user permissions, reporting
  • Performance validation — bandwidth utilization, latency measurements, failover testing
  • Staff training on day-to-day operations and alarm response procedures
04

Ongoing Monitoring & Lifecycle Management

Smart building systems don't maintain themselves. Forged provides ongoing monitoring, firmware management, and lifecycle planning so your connected infrastructure stays secure and operational.

  • 24/7 device health monitoring with automated alerting
  • Quarterly firmware and security patch cycles
  • Annual system review and capacity planning
  • Vendor coordination for warranty claims and equipment replacement
  • Technology roadmap updates as new capabilities become available
Deliverables

What You Receive

Convergence Architecture Document

Network topology showing how every building system connects — VLANs, firewall zones, switch port assignments, and wireless segments. The blueprint for your connected facility.

Device Inventory & Configuration Baseline

Every connected device cataloged with IP address, firmware version, credentials (stored securely), and configuration backup. Your single source of truth for all building technology.

Integration Playbook

Documentation of every cross-system integration — what triggers what, which APIs are in use, and how to troubleshoot when integrations fail. Eliminates the 'nobody knows how this works' problem.

Security Hardening Report

Every IoT device assessed against security best practices — default credentials changed, unnecessary services disabled, firmware current, and network segmentation verified.

Operations Runbook

Step-by-step procedures for your team — how to add a user to access control, review camera footage, acknowledge BAS alarms, and respond to sensor alerts. Written for operators, not engineers.

Lifecycle & Budget Forecast

Replacement schedules, warranty expirations, and projected costs for every connected device. Plan your capital budget years in advance instead of reacting to failures.

Who It's For

Is This Right for You?

New Construction Smart-Ready Builds

Designing smart building infrastructure from the ground up — structured cabling, network backbone, and system architecture planned before drywall goes up.

Legacy Building Modernization

Upgrading older facilities with IP-based access control, modern surveillance, and building automation without ripping out everything and starting over.

Multi-Tenant Properties

Shared building systems (access, cameras, HVAC) managed centrally while maintaining tenant isolation, independent billing, and per-tenant access policies.

Industrial & Manufacturing

Environmental monitoring, equipment sensors, and safety systems integrated with plant networks. OT/IT convergence done securely with proper segmentation.

Healthcare Facilities

Patient tracking, nurse call integration, environmental monitoring for pharmacy and lab areas, and HIPAA-compliant access control across the facility.

Education & Campus Environments

Multi-building campuses with centralized access control, video surveillance, emergency notification systems, and classroom AV — all managed from a single operations center.

Common Questions

FAQ

How do you prevent IoT devices from becoming security vulnerabilities?

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Network segmentation is the foundation. Every building system operates on its own VLAN with firewall rules controlling what traffic can cross into your business network. Beyond that, we harden every device — change default credentials, disable unnecessary services, update firmware, and monitor for anomalous behavior. IoT devices are convenient attack vectors precisely because most organizations put them on flat networks with no oversight. We don't.

Can you integrate with systems we already have installed?

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In most cases, yes. We assess your existing building systems for integration capability — protocol support (BACnet, Modbus, ONVIF, OSDP), API availability, and network readiness. Some older systems may need gateway devices or middleware to participate in a converged architecture, and some are genuinely end-of-life. We'll tell you what can stay, what needs an adapter, and what needs replacement.

What's the difference between 'smart building' and just having cameras and card readers?

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Integration and intelligence. A building with cameras and card readers has surveillance and access control. A smart building has systems that talk to each other — an access event triggers camera recording, an occupancy sensor adjusts HVAC and lighting, a water leak sensor shuts off a valve and alerts maintenance. The difference is between a collection of systems and a connected facility that responds to conditions automatically.

Do we need to upgrade our network before adding smart building systems?

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Often, yes — and we'll tell you upfront. Video surveillance alone can consume significant bandwidth. Add IoT sensors, access control, and building automation and you need a network designed for it. We assess your current infrastructure first and include any necessary upgrades in the project scope so there are no surprises during deployment.

Who manages the smart building systems after deployment?

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Your choice. We can hand off to your internal team with full training and documentation, provide ongoing managed services, or a hybrid model where your team handles day-to-day operations and Forged manages firmware updates, security patching, and quarterly system reviews. Most clients start with managed services and transition to internal management over 12–18 months.

Case Study
750-Staff Nonprofit Health Organization
Consolidated IT operations and improved quality without business interruption.
Read Case Study

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