IT researchers hack Google`s Australian office building

Sydney: Google`s Wharf 7 office in Sydney has stated that their building control system, which monitors the building`s mechanical and electrical equipment, has been hacked by two IT security researchers.

The building management system is a computer-based system used to control ventilation, air conditioning, lighting and fire systems, and is said to be easily accessible via the internet, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. According to the report, American researchers from Cyber security firm Cylance, Billy Rios and Terry McCorkle have found that the building control system for Google`s Wharf 7 office is susceptible as it can be traced on the popular hacker search engine Shodan that is known for mapping internet devices. Researchers have been able to obtain the default password (anyonesguess) for the Pyrmont office, where they could access Google`s screen access panels showing alarm and alarm console keys along with the buttons for the Building Management System. The system works on Tridium Niagara AX platform that has certain security flaws which make the system easy to reach. ANI