Security & Risks

6.1 Cybersecurity Architecture

Environmental monitoring systems are increasingly connected to corporate networks and the internet, creating cybersecurity risks that must be systematically addressed. The security architecture follows a defense-in-depth approach, with multiple independent security layers that an attacker must overcome to compromise the system. Each layer provides independent protection, so that the failure of one layer does not immediately expose the system to compromise.

The security perimeter begins at the field device level, where device authentication and encrypted communication prevent unauthorized devices from injecting false data into the system. The edge gateway enforces network segmentation, ensuring that the sensor network is isolated from the corporate IT network. The cloud platform implements role-based access control, audit logging, and anomaly detection to identify and respond to suspicious activity.

6.2 Physical Security

Physical security of field equipment is often overlooked in environmental monitoring system design, but it is a critical component of overall system integrity. Vandalism, theft, and unauthorized access to field equipment can compromise both the physical equipment and the data it produces. Physical security measures must be proportionate to the risk level of the deployment location, with higher-risk locations (boundary fence, public areas) receiving more robust protection than lower-risk locations (indoor equipment rooms).

Tamper detection is a particularly important physical security control for compliance monitoring applications. If a sensor is physically tampered with — for example, by covering the inlet or moving it away from its certified location — the tamper event must be recorded and flagged in the data record. This ensures that any data produced during a tamper event can be identified and excluded from compliance calculations.

6.3 Data Integrity and Evidence Quality

For compliance monitoring applications, data integrity is not merely a technical requirement — it is a legal requirement. Data that cannot be demonstrated to be authentic, unaltered, and complete may be rejected as evidence in regulatory proceedings. The data integrity framework must address the complete chain of custody from sensor measurement to archived record, with cryptographic controls at each step to prevent undetected alteration.

Quality assurance flags are an essential component of data integrity management. Every data point must carry a QA flag indicating its quality status: valid, suspect (sensor health issue), invalid (known fault), or missing. The QA flag must be set automatically by the system based on sensor health monitoring, and must be preserved through all data transformations and archiving steps. Manual override of QA flags must require authentication and create an audit record.

6.4 Risk Register

The risk register identifies the key operational and technical risks for smart campus environmental monitoring systems, assesses their likelihood and impact, and specifies the mitigation controls and residual risk level. The risk register should be reviewed annually and updated whenever significant changes are made to the system or its operating environment.

6.5 Incident Response Procedures

Incident response procedures define the actions to be taken when a security or operational incident is detected. Clear, documented procedures reduce response time, minimize impact, and ensure that evidence is preserved for post-incident analysis. The incident response plan must be tested through regular drills and updated based on lessons learned from actual incidents and drill exercises.