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are respecting people’s privacy concerns. We have also cre-
ated a mobile visitor entry solution that allows a QR code
to be sent to a visitor. It can be used on mobile devices
for turnstile entry without the need for a mobile app.

The deployment of drone detection technologies at
Hudson Yards is another; we want to know when an
unauthorized drone enters our airspace. We have con-
cerns both from a physical safety perspective and the
cybersecurity perspective around drone intrusions and
we take these incidents very seriously.

Additionally, we deployed a middleware platform
which will eventually connect all principal systems at
Hudson Yards and other Related assets. So many of
our systems require interconnectivity; it didn’t make
sense to build point-to-point integrations between all
the systems because then you end up with this massive
KENNETH FINNEGAN spider web of integrations. The important part is the
architecture around the middleware platform. It provides
CIO, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF a universal messaging Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) so
TECHNOLOGY the applications can publish relevant data across the
HUDSON YARDS bus; then other applications that are listening for relevant
data can consume that data as needed. If we decide to
change, for example, a visitor management system, all
we have to do is decouple the old system and recouple
As CIO and Managing Director of Technology of Hudson the new application to the bus, removing the need to
Yards, Kenneth Finnegan manages the development of rebuild the multiple integrations. We can connect these
technology processes and teams to support the largest disparate systems that previously weren’t necessarily
private real estate development in U.S. history, and in designed to communicate with each other to do just that.
New York City, since Rockefeller Center. The site will
include more than 18 million square feet of commercial We have a large variety of different structures: a pure
and residential space. residential building, a large retail facility, a true mixed-use
(hotel, retail, residential, commercial) and pure commercial
Tell us about your role within your organization. buildings. Each of these buildings was designed by differ-
I work to develop and operate technology solutions to ent architects, with different specifications for technology
improve the daily experiences of our commercial, retail and systems. The technology team came in after a lot of those
residential tenants. I work closely with our leadership team decisions were made, but this is where the concept of the
to ensure that we are leveraging technology to deliver the universal Enterprise Service Bus comes in, allowing funda-
best possible experiences to our customers on a daily basis. mentally different systems to communicate.
Our team is responsible for the software platforms, applica-
tions, and building systems across all of Hudson Yards. What are your highest priority technology initiatives in
2019 and what are the drivers behind them?
What were the major technology projects you The continued tuning of our wireless infrastructure,
started or completed last year? and preparations for the arrival of 5G. 5G is enhancing
One is the use of biometric entry into commercial office the opportunity for commercial tenants to reduce their
spaces. This tenant entry solution allows secure entry into CAPEX and OPEX expenditures on traditional wired
building turnstiles. One of the advantages is that it’s touch- networks by reducing the need for physical connections.
less; you just wave your hand—it’s a contact-less solution Once you remove things like wall jacks and switches
that stores the biometric information as a mathematical in the network closet, then you’ve reduced the need for
hash. We’re extremely focused on ensuring our solutions large scale physical infrastructure devices. It’s going to

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