Florida-based BubblyNet is using edge computing to enhance security and protect smart buildings.

The company is using edge computing, air gapped systems and encryption to address rising cyber threats. The privacy-focused technology ensures little data processing while safeguarding sensitive user information with no cloud dependencies or backdoors.

Cyber attacks are on the rise, with three out of four companies in the USA at risk of a material breach. In 2024, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 m, while breaches in the USA were even more costly, averaging $9.36m per incident. The smart building market – valued at $117.42bn last year – is not immune to these challenges.

“As connected systems become more complex, they face significant cyber-security risks, especially since these systems manage sensitive information such as user data, access credentials and operational metrics,” said Fabio Zaniboni, CEO of BubblyNet. “This calls for a comprehensive response. As cyber attacks evolve, so must the systems designed to prevent them.”

One of the biggest trends in the smart building sector for 2025 is edge computing, with adoption accelerating as 33% of companies have already implemented it. This technology is emerging as crucial for real-time threat detection and mitigation. By processing data closer to the source, edge computing reduces latency, enhances security and reduces bandwidth overload. As more smart buildings integrate AI-driven automation, edge computing will become key to strengthening cyber-security defences.

Traditional smart building systems rely on cloud-based controls for operations such as lighting, ventilation and security. However, this reliance on cloud communication creates a gateway for cyber attacks.

“When you open that channel, someone can exploit it to breach the system or disrupt critical operations,” Zaniboni said.

That’s why, in response to growing cyber-security threats, BubblyNet has designed air-gapped products that operate in isolation, eliminating external access points and reducing the likelihood of breaches.

“The more data we extract and use at the edge, the less they move to the cloud, and the less accessible they become to malicious attacks,” said Zaniboni.

As data become increasingly decentralised – Gartner estimates that by 2025, 75% of all data will be generated outside traditional data centres and cloud environments – the need for secure, edge-based options is more critical than ever.

BubblyNet’s system addresses this with a 256bit encryption key, the same standard recommended by the US government for securing highly sensitive data.

“With no cloud dependencies and advanced encryption, there is no back door for a hacker to exploit,” said Zaniboni.

One factor that makes data managed by smart buildings so sensitive is its connection to people’s actions and behaviour. To automate functions such as HVAC, lighting and security, these systems must collect information related to occupants’ activities. BubblyNet addresses this at the source, deploying devices that ensure only the necessary data are processed and shared, safeguarding user privacy from the beginning.

For example, instead of recording and transmitting full audio streams, BubblyNet’s technology employs microphones that act as decibel sensors rather than traditional recording devices.

“Let’s say we are working for a big hotel in Las Vegas, and our client asks us to implement gunshot detection,” said Zaniboni. “The technology we’d use in that case would be hardware encoded to detect only specific sound patterns. It would analyse a sound wave with a decibel spike, triggering a simple yes or no signal, without recording conversations or compromising the privacy of guests.”

This same principle applies to BubblyNet’s people counting technology, which leverages thermal motion sensors to differentiate between objects and human presence without capturing identity features.

“By using low-resolution infra-red sensors, we can only detect whether there’s a person or another infra-red source,” said Zaniboni. “Video cameras were discarded for this application because of the data volume and the privacy and security challenges video and face recognition pose. We always tailor the hardware to ensure no data unnecessary for the application is captured.”

As a third safety net against cyber attacks, BubblyNet leverages Bluetooth Mesh technology to safeguard all client information. This enhances encryption and authentication at multiple levels, preventing unauthorised access while operating under secure protocols.

These three layers of protection ensure that personal or sensitive information remains private, even in environments such as hotels or offices.

“At BubblyNet, we don’t just protect systems, we protect people’s trust,” said Zaniboni. “By maximising security and privacy, we ensure peace of mind for our clients and their users.”

BubblyNet (bubblynet.com) is a software company making buildings sustainable and human-centric. It is based in Clearwater, Florida, and specialises in smart building automation using Bluetooth ️Mesh technology to create scalable, decentralised wireless networks.