Cybersecurity is often disregarded by most industries because they think it’s not that vital to make their business function. That it’s not really a requirement if they don’t use computers that much since most of them are out in the field. But this isn’t the case nowadays. Whether you’re in the tech industry or in companies that don’t require technical skills that much, cybersecurity is a serious matter. 

 

Technology is a wonderful thing that gets better as years pass. Businesses are taking every advantage they can get from it. However, constant innovation also brings more risks and more worries for firms trying to safeguard their data privacy assets. In general, the construction industry is unprepared to defend against cyberattacks and is particularly susceptible to them. The structure of construction projects, which frequently involve multiple parties collaborating to achieve a single goal, necessitates the continuous and extensive sharing of sensitive information, making it a tempting target for a hacker looking to launch a ransomware scheme and earn quick cash. 

 

Did you know? 39% of construction companies have experienced cyberattacks in 2022. And it keeps rising! 1 in 5 of these firms have experienced more sophisticated attacks.

 

 

Why do hackers see the construction industry as an easy target?

 

Due to a lack of regulation compared to other sectors of the economy, the construction industry frequently falls behind other industries in implementing cyber and data privacy measures. Many in the construction business have not given putting cybersecurity controls into their business models a high priority. 

 

Electronic communications and data are frequently used by contractors to coordinate projects and track supply chain delivery. Confidential information, including financial data and bank account details, are frequently exchanged during interactions between the many participants in a construction project. Additionally, a multitude of vendors are involved in construction projects, increasing the number of victims that can be easily targeted by hackers in a single crime. The rising use of robotics and artificial intelligence in the construction industry is also more vulnerable to attack, demanding more security measures and privacy risk analyses.

 

 

What are the most common cyber attacks in the construction industry?

 

Ransomware

Ransomware is a virus that sort of kidnaps your data by encrypting it and you have to pay a ransom to have it decrypted. When a machine on your network contracts virus, a ransomware attack begins. Hackers can infect your computer using a number of techniques, including spam links, email attachments, and even sophisticated social engineering tactics. After being downloaded onto an endpoint, the malicious file spreads throughout the network, encrypting any file it can access. You will be required to pay a price if you want to break through its encryption.

 

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC, also known as business email compromise, is less well-known than ransomware. This is a hacker strategy where they spoof emails to appear to be from vendors or in command personnel at your company. These hackers will attempt to charge payments as soon as they have access to your company email, and because these communications appear to be extremely official, you will likely be tricked. However, this scam has evolved, and it no longer even involves money. Instead, the same technique is used to obtain personal data about employees, including their tax and payroll records.

Supply Chain Attacks

Complex projects in the construction industry are especially vulnerable to cyber-attack because you frequently include several entities such as suppliers, contractors, and partners. These entities, if compromised by an attacker, can then be used as a platform or conduit to launch attacks against your company’s systems and employees.

 

Fraudulent Wire Transfers

Any bank fraud involving electronic communication, as well as collecting bank account information or gaining access to other people’s bank accounts through fraudulent tactics, are considered fraudulent wire transfers. Because significant amounts of money are frequently exchanged between parties participating in a project, this kind of cybercrime poses a particularly high risk to the construction industry. 

 

Intellectual Property Theft

Construction projects frequently involve blueprints or other plans that the parties involved may not want made public. Theft of these materials and a cyberattack have the potential to ruin reputations and finances.

 

 

How can the construction industry stay protected from cyber attacks?

 

By creating and putting into action a plan for preventing cybersecurity interference in your operations, construction professionals like you have the opportunity to greatly minimize your risk against these attacks. An incident response strategy should include the following:

 

  • Decide who will be in charge of the internal and external defense strategies. Make sure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities.

 

  • Establish safety standards to safeguard systems that might be in danger as a result of a cybersecurity breach, and determine contingency plans to preserve essential site work.

 

  • Obtain cybersecurity insurance and demand that vendors and other project participants do likewise.

 

  • Secure your server rooms, mandate frequent password changes from staff, use multiple-factor authentication, and train your employees to protect your assets.

 

  • Discuss legal and contractual obligations as well as coverage issues with the legal counsel and insurers to decide the next course of action.

 

  • Make a plan for notifying anyone who may be affected if there is a data breach. If a breach occurs, vendors, subcontractors, and everyone else participating in the building project must be promptly informed.

 

  • To guarantee compliance with all legal requirements, work with the federal, state, and local regulatory authorities.

 

Spreading awareness within your organization is another form of cyber attack prevention. This needs no argument, your employees are the best asset your business has. And in spite of all these, your people could also be your another line of defense against any threats. Having employees who know what to do when your company is in trouble is a great asset for your business. Imagine if a cyber attack takes place and your employees are quick to respond in order to stop the threat from spreading. We are certain you’d want your employees to be educated when it comes to securing your company’s data from any forms of breach. 

 

 

Cybersecurity Tips for Construction Industry Professionals

 

  • Together with internal and external response teams, develop a cyber breach response strategy.

 

  • Obtain business interruption and cybersecurity insurance.

 

  • Retain a legal team with experience managing all issues related to data privacy breaches, such as insurance coverage, legal and regulatory obligations, breach damage mitigation, and public relations tactics.

 

  • Keep informed of changes in cyberthreats and trends in data privacy regulation.

 

 

  • Similar to how you would prepare for any other emergency, simulate data breaches.

 

  • Use multiple-factor approvals and verifications when transferring money or sensitive data.

 

  • In the event of a breach, react as soon as you can.

 

 

We know, not everyone knows that much about cybersecurity, especially for small businesses or companies that are not familiar with the tech industry. While some businesses already have planning and protection when it comes to a cyber crisis, a lot of companies still don’t have any. 

 

The construction industry has been the target of hackers recently and you should not take this lightly. A cyberattack could not just delay operations but some sophisticated attacks have proven to shut down businesses. It is high time for you to invest in cybersecurity. Imagine having the assurance that your company’s critical data is always secure and that you won’t be a victim of a cyberattack. 

 

Here at Intelecis, we will make sure to protect your business as if it is our own. Ready to have hackers scratching their heads because they just can’t infiltrate you? Feel free to contact us today!