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BACnet Insight


          30 Years of BACnet: From Interoperability to


          Security – and Beyond

          30 Jahre BACnet: Von Interoperabilität zu


          Sicherheit – und darüber hinaus







          BACnet celebrates 30 years of innovation,
          evolving from interoperability to enhanced
          security with BACnet/SC, ensuring
          seamless, secure, and scalable automation
          for buildings and industries.
          BACnet feiert 30 Jahre Innovation und hat
          sich von Interoperabilität hin zu erhöh-
          ter Sicherheit mit BACnet/SC entwickelt,
          um eine nahtlose, sichere und skalierbare                                               © BACnet International
          Automatisierung für Gebäude und Indus-  BACnet Secure Connect: Secure, Reliable, and Encrypted Communication.
          trien zu gewährleisten.           BACnet Secure Connect: Sichere, zuverlässige und verschlüsselte Kommunikation.

          Since its inception, BACnet has represented openness   MS/TP required overcoming strict timing challenges.   Through the integration of  BACnet/SC, manufacturers
          and interoperability. Manufacturers and developers   BACnet/IP with BBMD became the preferred gateway   like MSA Safety are responding to growing IT security
          collaborated to create a protocol seamlessly connecting   variant.   and data protection requirements. At the same time,
          building and industrial automation systems.  BACnet’s                this improves the future viability of the gateways, as
          evolution led to multiple protocol variants:  From BTL Tests to Growing Requirements  IIoT devices and other networked systems with higher
                                                                               security standards can be integrated. A corresponding
          BACnet ARCNET                     The establishment of  BACnet Testing Labs (BTL)   BTL listing and intensive penetration tests are important
          An early variant that worked with shared coaxial cables   expanded testing and certification, ensuring products   quality certifications in this regard.
          and enabled local networks for building and industrial   could  handle rare  exceptions.  De Wet  highlights how
          applications.                     certification rounds drove improvements, necessitating   Adaptation and Flexibility as Keys to Success
          BACnet PTP Point-to-Point         core code rewrites from PIC microcontrollers to ARM9
          Typically used over serial lines like RS-232 when network   processors.  This  reflects  close  collaboration  with  the   The ability to unite different protocol variants and
          access  wasn’t available  or  when  a  direct  connection   BACnet community.  integrate new concepts like BACnet/SC is the secret to
          between computers and modems was necessary.                          success of MSA Safety’s FieldServer gateways. We’ve
          BACnet Ethernet                   Continuous Improvements for Buildings and Industry  always had to keep pace with BACnet – and often think
          Uses Ethernet without the IP layer and was therefore                 a step ahead. Only this way is it possible to offer reliable
          limited to local networks in the past, but is still relevant in   Although older variants like BACnet ARCNET and PTP   integration solutions over decades that are used in
          certain environments.             are rarely used today, they demonstrated  BACnet’s   buildings, factories, and other demanding environments
          BACnet MS/TP (Master-Slave/Token Passing)  early flexibility.  BACnet Ethernet still plays a role in   around the globe.
          Relies on twisted pair wiring, communicating via token   some networks (editor’s note: In Europe,  BACnet/SC
          passing. MS/TP was particularly widespread for controls   is currently the established standard). Modern building   Therefore,  BACnet’s 30th anniversary marks not only
          and sensor-actuator levels.       automation covers HVAC, access control, lighting, and   a milestone in the past but also lays the foundation for
          BACnet/IP                         fire  protection,  while  industry  benefits  from  BACnet’s   future developments. We already see how IoT devices
          The most common variant today, using Ethernet and   clear structures and interoperability. To remain relevant,   are increasingly entering building automation and how
          Internet  Protocol  (IP),  allowing  flexible  integration  into   both the protocol and manufacturers must evolve.  security requirements are rising. A flexible, secure, and
          modern networks.                                                     at the same time scalable protocol like BACnet can meet
                                            BACnet/SC: The Secure Future       all these needs in the long term.
          From Intel 486 to Global Networking
                                            In response to growing cyber threats, BACnet has taken   Summary: Shaping the Future Together
          BACnet’s  adaptability  has  supported  gateway  a major step forward with  BACnet Security Connect
          manufacturers in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)   (BACnet/SC). This addendum specification provides   The history of  BACnet is a story of collaboration and
          era. Bennie de Wet, former CTO and Managing Director   encrypted communication over a secure data link layer.   innovation. As an important part of the automation
          of Sierra Monitor (now MSA Safety), recalls early   Each device is authenticated and authorized, making   industry, the protocol has proven over decades that it
          FieldServer gateways with Intel 486 processors. BACnet   networks significantly more resistant to attacks.  remains adaptable and expandable. For providers like
          Ethernet was implemented smoothly,  whereas  BACnet                  MSA Safety, this means we must continuously engage


          24  BACnet Europe Journal 42 03/25
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