Solutions-oriented technology at the core of today’s smart cities
Smart city technology must be solution-driven to solve the infrastructure challenges of our cities, support businesses, and create liveable communities
Sponsored by Cisco
There’s an undeniable cool factor when you think of a smart city. In the 1960s, there were plans for the Minnesota Experimental City. Its design included a massive dome to create a pollution-free city, automated highways, and modular design. In science fiction, authors reimagined how new futures could look, predicting new technologies in the process – from autonomous vehicles to artificial intelligence, and more.
But for a city to truly be smart, there must be substance – a purpose – to the technology being implemented. The cool factor alone doesn’t cut it. The adoption of smart city technology needs to be solution-driven to:
- solve the infrastructure challenges of our cities;
- support businesses; and
- create a liveable community.
Digitalization of Infrastructure
Connecting operational technology (OT) to IT systems is fundamental in gaining visibility into core infrastructure. Take water systems for example. Climate change, population growth, and shifting workforce demographics is taxing ageing water infrastructure in many communities. The cost of maintaining and operating facilities is also on the rise.
As municipalities face additional budget constraints from COVID-19, there is pressure to address these challenges innovatively. Advanced metering infrastructure can mitigate loss and detect leaks, conserving water in the long run. Condition-based monitoring can apply AI/ML for advanced analytics for predictive maintenance. Water quality monitoring can identify emerging problems to protect public health and the environment.
The ability to collect data and extract insights to track key utilities gives communities the gift of foresight:
- knowing which systems require proactive maintenance and when;
- improving risk management; and
- underpinning emergency response in situations where public safety is at risk.
Security at the Core
Unlike a printer that can be disconnected from the network when under attack, shutting down critical infrastructure isn’t as simple.
Staff must consider the impact of stopping operations, and weigh disruption against the consequences of an attack before acting. A robust cybersecurity foundation will protect infrastructure as these utilities continue to modernize.
Cybersecurity shares many similarities with physical security. Gates, walls, and fences line the perimeter of a facility to keep unauthorized people, animals, and vehicles out. In the networking world, this is done by firewalls and an industrial DMZ. A network segment that sits between the IT and Industrial Automation Control System networks, a DMZ prevents devices outside the facility from directly accessing those within.
One-size won’t fit all when it comes to cybersecurity, but organizations can employ well-defined border protections by having a:
- clear and well-defined separation of the OT;
- enterprise network; and
- cloud technology.
Investing for the Future
Most public servants would say that funding and lack of budget is the greatest barrier to digitalization. While digital solutions do require upfront investment, they also offer many benefits, including:
- improved visibility and automation to optimize operations and reduce strain, or
- advanced data analytics to catch issues before they spiral into larger ones.
Municipalities must reconsider their priority investments and understand how digitalization can make a meaningful impact on infrastructure and budgets in the long term.
Find out more at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/country-digital-acceleration.html. MW
✯ Municipal World Insider and Executive Members: You might also be interested in the full version of this article or in Vincenzo Alaimo’s article: Glimmer of hope for future smart cities. Note that you can now access the complete collection of past articles (and more) from your membership dashboard.
Maciej Podoski is a technical solutions architect focused on smart cities and transportation at Cisco Canada.
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