Report Names U.S. Cities Ready to Become Cybersecurity Vulnerable and Privacy Invasive “Smart Cities” - Is Yours One of Them?

By B.N. Frank

American opposition to “Smart Cities” and all the controversy, costs, problems, risks, and privacy violations associated with them has been ongoing for years (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). Nevertheless, proponents have still been convincing local leaders and legislators to install hackable “smart” technology in their communities. Additionally, legislators have been helping to fund “Smart Cities” with hundreds of millions in federal grants. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been assisting in these efforts too. U.S. Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg has endorsed “Smart Cities” as well. Of course, many communities that aren’t officially “smart” yet have still been approving the installation of expensive, data collecting, hazardous, vulnerable “smart” technologies including 5G, Wi-Fi hotpots, utility “smart” meters (electric, gas, and water), “smart” streetlights, etc. Recently a real estate technology company published a report that lists which U.S. cities are most prepared for a “smarter future”.

From Smart Cities Dive:

10 US cities ready for a ‘smart city future’

“The cities that will thrive in the future will be the ones best adapted to our new and greener ways of living,” one ProptechOS executive said.

Michael Brady Senior Editor

Tomorrow’s smart cities will require tech-centric job markets in addition to technology and green infrastructure, according to a recent report by real estate technology company ProptechOS.

ProptechOS considered 11 indicators to evaluate each location’s smart city technology readiness, including the availability of free WiFi hotspots, broadband download speeds and airports. It also considered the number — total and per 100,000 people — of IoT companies and public-access electric vehicle charging points, as well as the total number of 5G network towers and green-certified buildings. In addition to infrastructure, the report looked at the number of tech jobs available in each area.

“The cities that will thrive in the future will be the ones best adapted to our new and greener ways of living. By looking at a range of factors, including tech infrastructure, sustainability, and the tech-driven job market, we were able to get a better picture of the U.S. and European cities will be leading the way into a smarter future,” said Erik Wallin, founder and chief ecosystem officer at ProptechOS, in an emailed statement.

10 US cities best prepared for a ‘smart city future’

ProptechOS divided all 11 indicators into three categories, weighted equally, and each scored from 0 to 100. It combined all three scores to create a total score from 0 to 100.