Towards Safe-Bim Curricula Based on the Integration of Cybersecurity and Blockchains Features

Abstract

During the last decade, Qatar started an industry diversification strategy based on a knowledge-based economy for the next years. The ambition is to become a global "hub" in some key fields such as new technologies, finance, culture and sporting events. Such a diversification strategy requires massive investments, not only in physical and technical infrastructures, but also in the field of education. For instance, big projects based on the use of advanced new technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) are currently under development in new economic cluster areas in the country, such as QEZ (Qatar Economic Zones), Lusail Smart City, Stadiums for FIFA world cup 2022, etc. This raises a need for new BIM competences, and helps local education institutions such Qatar University to adopt a BIM education strategy in collaboration with these sectors and AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry in general. Such effort intends to cover the lack of skills and equips graduates with specific BIM competency. Globally, BIM education in the country remains soft and partial compared to the current evolution of the AEC industry but also to the risks that are inherent to the BIM adoption. This paper deals with the integration of new information technology patterns such as Cybersecurity and its Blockchains feature in a typical university BIM curricula. Addressing this feature during the BIM collaborative processes, such as the sharing information models developed and maintained across the lifecycle of the building/infrastructure, is becoming tremendous. Such curricula are becoming multidisciplinary by nature, and require the collaboration between not only the different education departments (Architecture, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering...), but also the local concerned industry. An integrated proposal will be made in this paper, focusing on the specific needs of the Qatari context.

Blockchain supported BIM data provenance for construction projects

“…In addition, data security is becoming more and more complex due to the differences between individuals interacting within a construction project and the development of the supply chain. The use of Blockchain technology can improve a project's Common Data Environment (CDE) with more secure management of activities resulting in full transparency of the project (Hammi and Bouras, 2018).…”

Blockchain Technology and the Future of Construction Industry in the Arab region :Applications, Challenges, and Future Opportunities

“…In current usage, BIM uses a common data environment (CDE), which collects project information in a single repository to collect, manage, and distribute data for multidisciplinary teams [52]. All project members must therefore understand and comply with the cyber security rules [53].…”

Cybersecurity in Construction: Where Do We Stand and How Do We Get Better Prepared

“…Mutis and Paramashivam (2019) proposed the use of Cloud-BIM (building information model) to overcome the limitations and security vulnerabilities of the standalone BIM models, especially data breaches. Similarly, Hammi and Bouras (2018) identified the significance of cybersecurity implications of BIM and proposed the integration of BIM and blockchain in the university curriculum. Boyes (2015), on the other hand, examined the cyber-resilience issues of global supply chains considering the cybersecurity threat and vulnerability attributes.…”