Building energy modeling is a simulation method used to estimate how a building will consume electricity, gas, or other energy under different design or operating conditions. Models usually combine weather, occupancy, equipment efficiency, HVAC controls, insulation, and schedules to predict expected loads and operating costs.
In cyber security, building energy models matter because modern buildings rely on networked sensors, meters, and building management systems. Defenders use the model as a baseline: if real consumption or equipment behavior diverges from the predicted pattern, it can signal faulty sensors, misconfigurations, tampering, or compromise of an IoT or OT controller. Attackers who reach HVAC or control networks may change setpoints, suppress alarms, or create waste and disruption. A reliable model helps operators spot those changes faster and verify whether control data is trustworthy.