________________________________________________________________________________________________ Digital Building
Why the AEC industry needs the ToR
As buildings become smarter, the AEC industry continually evolves to meet the challenges of a digitally connected world. The Technologist of Record is not just a technical consultant. It is a foundational role necessary to protect building owners, operators, and occupants from the growing risks associated with technology proliferation.
Without a ToR, traditional engineering disciplines will continue to design buildings without fully accounting for the cybersecurity risks posed by interconnected systems. This oversight could leave critical vulnerabilities unaddressed, exposing buildings to potential data breaches, service disruptions, or even physical security threats.
In the future, cybersecurity resilience will be as critical as structural stability. The ToR will be essential in building the next generation of secure, resilient, and intelligent spaces.
By formally recognizing the ToR as a core discipline in the building design process, the AEC industry can embrace a proactive approach to technology risk management, safeguarding both physical and digital assets. ■
David Brearley www. hdrinc. com
David Brearley is Controls and Cyber Services Director at HDR. HDR specializes in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. While most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through highperformance buildings and smart infrastructure, HDR provides much more than that. The company creates an unshakable foundation for progress because its multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists. HDR’ s employees, working in more than 200 locations around the world, push open the doors to what’ s possible each and every day.
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