As buildings become increasingly integrated with advanced control technologies, cybersecurity concerns have risen significantly. This is particularly true for networked lighting systems, as cybersecurity has become more important due to their growing integration with IP networks and other building IT and operational technology (OT) systems. Historically, electricians have focused on physical and electrical installations, occasionally handling system commissioning. However, the advent of networked control systems in modern buildings requires electricians to acquire a new skill set. These systems, often deployed with default configurations, can be vulnerable to unauthorized access and cyberattacks, posing significant security risks to the entire building.
In response to these emerging challenges, the UC Davis California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) developed the Western Electrical Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Training (WECAT) Program with support from a U.S. Department of Labor workforce development grant that aims to expand and create apprenticeships that impart critical skills in emerging fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing—industries that are rapidly transforming the workforce. The WECAT program is designed to equip apprentice electricians in California and Nevada with the skills necessary to secure networked lighting and other building systems against cyber threats.
Learn more about WECAT in the November 2024 LD+A Research Matters article, co-authored by Andrew Harper and Professor Jae Yong Suk.