Cyber Protection For Real Estate Requires New Strategies: Hunt. Isolate. Protect.

RYCOM and Blackpoint Team Up To Make Smart Tech Safer for Commercial Real Estate

TORONTO and BALTIMORE, June 7, 2018 /CNW/ - RYCOM Corporation and Blackpoint Cyber (Blackpoint) announced today that they have signed an exclusive partnership agreement to ensure commercial real estate is both Smart and cyber-secure. At the center of the partnership is a cyber defence platform which will assist in protecting the networks and technologies needed to make commercial buildings Smart, convenient and physically secure.

Commercial building networks have become one of the most diverse and complex technology landscapes in the world with applications such as HVAC, physical security, parking, public Wi-Fi and lighting all running over common IP-based networks. Adding to the challenge is the fact that these networks must be open to provide maximum benefits to both owners and tenants. The emergence and deployment of IoT, data analytics, digital transformation strategies, AI, and CRE-Tech all create material benefits to the real estate industry and the communities they serve. However, this rapid influx of new capabilities and technologies is also creating vulnerabilities.

The new demands of cyber protection require new strategies that hunt, isolate, and protect against malicious behavior proactively. In answer to this, RYCOM and Blackpoint have combined their unique capabilities and experiences in real-estate, end-user needs and cybersecurity to launch an innovative platform under the brand: "RYCOM HIVE-Defence, powered by Blackpoint". RYCOM HIVE-Defence delivers comprehensive cyber protection 24/7.

"As critical infrastructure - buildings, utilities, and municipal services - increase their reliance on Smart  and internet-connected devices for efficient operations, this increases exposure to cyber-attacks. Blackpoint and RYCOM offer a solution to greatly reduce this risk and provide visibility that is desperately needed in this growing space", said Chris Inglis, a former Deputy Director of the U.S. National Security Agency.

Cheryl Gray, Co-Chair of BOMA Canada's Cyber Security Committee and EVP of Enterprise Innovations at QuadReal Property Group said, "For the real estate industry, implementation of Smart  technology, AI, and PropTech into our everyday property operations is expanding at a rapid pace. These Smart  tech deployments will stress our existing cyber strategies and therefore, enhancing cyber precautions is essential."

Risk management is critical to both operations and investment strategies across all asset classes. "The commercial real estate industry is currently seeing an increased interest in PropTech and AI across all sectors. Investors, owners and the industry leaders who comprise REALPAC's membership need to understand the potential cyber threats that can impact assets and operations from a risk standpoint," said Michael Brooks, CEO of REALPAC.

 "The new reality of our industry - using diverse Smart tech to drive benefits - requires us to integrate advanced cyber and physical security capabilities", said Casey Witkowicz, President and CEO of RYCOM.

"We need to keep up with the evolution of the various types of cyber crimes as we move closer and closer to a fully connected society. Attacks on Smart  buildings will surge in the coming decade; Smart  buildings are an excellent target because cyber attackers are able to maximize damage and profit with minimal effort", said Jon Murchison, Founder and CEO of Blackpoint.

"At the Cushman Wakefield One Queen St. East property, we have deployed the RYCOM HIVE platform extensively and are achieving material Smart building results and benefits in our day to day operations. Cyber has always been part of our Smart strategy. The addition of Blackpoint's Cyber solution to the RYCOM HIVE platform provides us the needed cyber defence for our Smart  building operation," said Stephen Adams, General Manager, Toronto Urban Portfolio, for Cushman Wakefield Asset Services.

About RYCOM:

RYCOM develops innovative, integrated Smart technology solutions that are tailored to increase the value of, and enable business success for, its clients. Founded in 1997, RYCOM is proud to be a trusted advisor to and long-term partner of leading organizations across North America in diverse sectors ? real-estate (all categories and classes), government, media and retail, to name a few. By staying at the forefront of technology solutions, utilizing best-in class support models, focusing on precision, protection and performance, and delivering quality services with the highest level of care and support, RYCOM simplifies technology for clients so they can focus on their core business while achieving operational and measurable results. For more information about RYCOM, please visit www.rycom.com

About BLACKPOINT:

Blackpoint Cyber is a cyber security company delivering Next Generation Hunt and Response Software while reducing the security stack. Founded by former DoD cyber operations experts, it's their passion and mission to provide the fastest, easiest-to-use, and most cost-effective cyber security products to IT and Security professionals of all levels of experience. Backed by Adelphi Capital, Telcom Ventures and Orbis Operations, Blackpoint has built substantial IP including patented approaches to their live network map and immediate lateral movement detection. For more information about Blackpoint, please visit http://www.blackpointcyber.com

SOURCE RYCOM Inc.