Smart Building security and the critical role of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE)

By Dieter Studer / R&M USA 

The smart building market is expanding at a breakneck pace. North America alone accounted for over 35% of the global smart building market—valued at $108 billion in 2023—and is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 26 % through 2030. Global forecasts anticipate that integrated building management systems will rise from $12 billion in 2024 to more than $40 billion by 2033.

As smart buildings become more deeply integrated into America’s urban and industrial fabric, the convergence of security systems, automation, and digital infrastructure is fundamentally reshaping how modern facilities are designed, operated, and secured. This transformation is being driven by increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks, growing cybersecurity threats, and the practical need to optimize operational efficiency.

U.S. regulations such as HIPAA, FISMA, and NFPA codes demand real-time visibility, reliable audit trails, and advanced security responses—especially in critical sectors like healthcare, government, and energy. At the same time, organizations are under pressure to reduce capital and operational expenditures while enhancing the safety and intelligence of their buildings.

IP-based networks shift

To meet these demands, facility operators are increasingly adopting IP-based integration. This brings a unified approach to managing physical security, environmental systems, and digital infrastructure. Integrating security with building management systems (BMS) over IP creates a more resilient and cost-effective ecosystem. Operators can remotely and securely manage HVAC, lighting, fire alarms, access control, CCTV, and intrusion detection through a single interface, regardless of physical location. An essential point when it comes to faster connections to devices is the ability to update firmware from a remote location. Current field bus systems do not have the bandwidth to do so; however, with Single Pair Ethernet, this is possible.

This consolidation significantly improves incident response times. For example, if a breach occurs at a secure entrance, an integrated system can automatically trigger lockdowns, activate surveillance recording, alert on-site personnel, and notify emergency responders—all without human intervention. Such systems are also more scalable and adaptable; new components like biometric readers, AI-enabled cameras, or environmental sensors can be easily added without major infrastructure overhauls.

The shift to IP also brings significant savings and simplification. Traditional siloed systems often require separate cabling, power supplies, hardware for each function, and the availability of expert support. In contrast, shared IP infrastructure reduces installation complexity, minimizes hardware redundancy, and simplifies maintenance. Long-term operational expenses are lowered through easier training, remote diagnostics, and streamlined vendor support. Furthermore, adherence to open standards such as BACnet and ONVIF ensures interoperability across different devices and manufacturers, future-proofing systems against obsolescence.

Cybersecurity is another crucial advantage of IP-based building systems. These platforms can incorporate firewalls, encryption, access controls, and real-time threat detection mechanisms. They also support network segmentation, enabling administrators to isolate devices or sections of the network if a breach occurs. Importantly, IP systems generate logs and audit trails that are critical for meeting federal and state-level cybersecurity mandates and for conducting forensic analysis after an incident.

The growing adoption of IoT further enhances the capabilities of smart buildings. Devices distributed throughout a facility can now generate real-time data for occupancy tracking, environmental monitoring, and energy optimization. When integrated into centralized IP networks, these devices feed data into analytics platforms that support machine learning, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection. This transforms the building from a passive infrastructure into an active, intelligent participant in its own security and operational performance.

Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) to the rescue

One of the most important enablers of this new paradigm is Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). Unlike traditional Ethernet, which requires four twisted pairs of wires, SPE delivers both power and data through a single pair. This simplification has profound implications for smart building deployment, particularly in retrofits or constrained environments such as existing conduits, walls, and ceilings. SPE makes it more cost-effective and practical to connect large numbers of low-power devices throughout a building. 

SPE is ideally suited for supporting IoT and security endpoints such as access controls, badge readers, air quality sensors, IP cameras, and motion detectors. These devices, when SPE-enabled, can communicate directly over IP networks, bringing them fully into the building’s management and cybersecurity framework. This not only allows for tighter integration and centralized control but also enhances data collection and real-time responsiveness. Moreover, SPE supports secure network segmentation, enabling each device to be monitored and isolated as needed, which is essential for cyber-resilience.

A significant advantage of SPE is its ability to support transmission distances far beyond the 100-meter limitation of traditional Ethernet. Depending on the application, SPE can operate over distances of up to 1000 meters. This makes it a powerful option for large or distributed facilities where perimeter devices or remote sensors may be far from the nearest network switch. Reducing the number of switches, repeaters, and power supplies needed for long cable runs helps cut both capital costs and long-term maintenance overhead.

SPE is also driving the convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). Historically, building automation systems and enterprise IT have operated in silos. SPE bridges this gap by allowing devices traditionally part of the OT environment to speak the same IP-based language as IT systems. This convergence unlocks new possibilities for unified analytics, stronger cybersecurity postures, and holistic building intelligence.

A future-proof choice

With standardization underway through IEEE initiatives like 802.3cg and 802.3bu, SPE is quickly gaining momentum across industries. Its simplicity, scalability, and adaptability make it a future-proof choice for smart building infrastructure—not just for new construction but also for the much larger market of existing buildings in need of digital modernization. With IEC 63171-1, we now have a defined connectivity and interfacing solution for the building automation industry, and what’s more, a complete cabling infrastructure for this is available.

Ultimately, the integration of security systems into IP-based building management platforms—and the enabling power of Single Pair Ethernet—marks a pivotal shift in how buildings are secured and operated. This convergence supports regulatory compliance, reduces cost, improves responsiveness, and lays the foundation for truly intelligent, adaptive infrastructure.