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In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, powered by First National, hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk are joined by Lachlan MacQuarrie, Industry Fellow at Intelligent Building LLC, to unpack the growing cybersecurity risks hidden inside today’s smart buildings. Recorded live at the Toronto Real Estate Forum, the conversation explores why operational technology (OT) demands a different security mindset than traditional IT systems. Lachlan explains how overlooked devices, HVAC, elevators, and access controls can expose owners to serious financial and reputational damage.
He outlines practical steps, from asset inventory to zero-trust architecture, and shares how institutional landlords are approaching governance through emerging industry frameworks. The key takeaway: cybersecurity is no longer optional overhead. With the right strategy, owners can reduce risk, improve tenant confidence, and even unlock operational savings without major capital outlay.
What you will learn:
- How to distinguish between IT and OT risks
- Why most property owners don’t know what systems they actually own
- The Real Estate Cyber Consortium framework
- How to cost-justify cybersecurity improvements as ROI, not overhead
- Zero-trust architecture and vulnerability scanning as practical first steps
- The emerging AI risk in building operations
Lachlan MacQuarrie is an Industry Fellow at Intelligent Buildings, specializing in the intersection of operational technology, cybersecurity, and institutional real estate management. With a background in engineering, urban planning, and real estate acquisitions, Lachlan brings over two decades of experience across asset management, development, and property operations, including his tenure as Global Head of Platform Services at Oxford Properties and SVP at EPIC Investments.
The post Beyond Locks and Cameras: Cyber Risk in CRE with Lachlan MacQuarrie, Industry Fellow at Intelligent Buildings LLC. appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.
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