{"id":588,"date":"2023-09-28T18:41:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T23:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/?p=588"},"modified":"2024-12-26T09:16:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-26T15:16:00","slug":"construction-companies-avoid-these-top-cybersecurity-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/blog\/construction-companies-avoid-these-top-cybersecurity-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"Cybersecurity in Construction: Common Threats and How to Prevent Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cybersecurity in construction is becoming a critical concern as the industry rapidly adopts new technologies. While you\u2019re accustomed to navigating regulations, compliance guidelines, and schedule hiccups, the growing reliance on digital tools brings new cyberthreats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Construction companies are particularly vulnerable to hackers due to the sensitive data they handle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0and that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.openspace.ai\/blog\/technology-adoption-is-growing-on-construction-sites\/#:~:text=Tech%20adoption%20is%20in%20full%20force%2C%20especially%20in%20the%20field&amp;text=According%20to%20our%20survey%2C%2044,in%20construction%20technology%20in%202021.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">greater reliance on technology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, what are the top cybersecurity concerns for construction companies? We\u2019ll go through the most prominent risks so you can stay vigilant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-662 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/pexels-pixabay-60504-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/pexels-pixabay-60504-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/pexels-pixabay-60504-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/pexels-pixabay-60504-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/pexels-pixabay-60504-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/pexels-pixabay-60504-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/pexels-pixabay-60504-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/blog\/it-procurement-for-franchises-where-to-start\/\"><b>IT Procurement for Franchises: Where To Start<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unsecure Mobile Devices<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cybersecurity in construction is heavily impacted by unsecure mobile devices. From checking tasks on a tablet to scanning your email, you and your employees have mobile devices on- and off-site. As a result, you see a host of potential cybersecurity risks:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unauthorized user access<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unencrypted data<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lost or stolen devices<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That\u2019s only the beginning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, you can keep your mobile devices less risk-prone with measures like employee education and activity monitoring. Still, the measures you take may not be enough. Particularly if you have dozens of employees and even more mobile devices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enlisting a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/why-cmit\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">trusted IT services company<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is your strongest defense. Why? Most \u2014 if not all \u2014 top cybersecurity concerns for construction companies stem from company-connected mobile devices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/blog\/mobile-device-security-checklist-for-construction-companies\/\"><b>Mobile Device Security Checklist for Construction Companies<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ransomware Attacks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the most dire outcomes related to cybersecurity in construction is falling prey to ransomware attacks. A form of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/articles\/how-recognize-remove-avoid-malware\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">malware<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, ransomware infects your devices and encrypts crucial data.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How does your company suffer a ransomware attack? You guessed it! An employee clicks a malicious link or attachment on a company-connected device. Although ransomware links usually appear in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/security.berkeley.edu\/faq\/ransomware\/how-does-computer-become-infected-ransomware#:~:text=Ransomware%20is%20often%20spread%20through,installed%20without%20the%20user's%20knowledge.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">phishing emails<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, they can lurk on websites, in apps and in text messages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The hackers then block your access to that data until you shell out money. It\u2019s a way of holding your sensitive data hostage \u2014 and even if you pay, you may never get the data back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ransomware payouts can cost your business <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlantafed.org\/blogs\/take-on-payments\/2023\/03\/20\/ransomware-battleground-in-2022#:~:text=While%20initial%20ransomware%20attacks%20were,in%202022%20was%20%244.7%20million\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">millions of dollars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Besides the very real financial blow, you suffer reputational damage and devastating downtime. In turn, neither your clients nor your schedule is happy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/blog\/phishing-vs-spoofing-similarities-differences-and-how-to-prevent-them\/\"><b>Phishing vs. Spoofing: Similarities, Differences and How To Prevent Them<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data Breaches<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the realm of cybersecurity in construction, a data breach is one of the most damaging threats. Cybercriminals access your information and use it for financial gain. With a data breach, cybercriminals access your information and then use it for financial gain. Your construction company\u2019s devices hold a potential goldmine \u2014 a data breach costs you nearly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/273575\/us-average-cost-incurred-by-a-data-breach\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">$9.5 million<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Additionally, data breaches go far beyond personal information. Hackers can exploit all manner of data:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Client information (including Social Security numbers)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vendor information<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Intellectual property<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Banking, billing and accounting information<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blueprints<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Design and feasibility studies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Budgets and timelines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Permits and applications<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Clearly, robust cybersecurity measures are vital to locking down and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/it-services\/data-backup\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">backing up your company\u2019s data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data breaches can happen for many reasons, but the primary causes are stolen credentials (like compromised passwords) and unprotected software. Once again, they deal a major blow to your company\u2019s reputation and throw a wrench in time-sensitive operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/blog\/why-data-backup-is-essential-in-accounting\/\"><b>Why Data Backup Is Essential in Accounting<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wire Transfer Fraud<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"flex-shrink-0 flex flex-col relative items-end\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"pt-0\">\n<div class=\"gizmo-bot-avatar flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center overflow-hidden rounded-full\">\n<div class=\"relative p-1 rounded-sm flex items-center justify-center bg-token-main-surface-primary text-token-text-primary h-8 w-8\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"64018952-6cf6-464b-825e-bf601b0538ec\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\">\n<p>In the context of cybersecurity in construction<strong>, <\/strong>virtual banking is a cornerstone of modern construction, and it makes running your business simpler. However, moving funds among an array of clients, contractors and vendors opens multiple doors for savvy cybercriminals. Wire transfers are particularly lucrative avenues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During a fraudulent wire transfer, a cybercriminal poses as a legitimate person or entity and intercepts a financial transaction. You may think you\u2019re paying a vendor, bank representative or contractor, but a scammer is on the other end.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Three factors make wire transfer fraud in the construction industry so appealing to hackers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wire transfers are fast (nearly instantaneous).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They involve large sums of money.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you\u2019ve sent money, it\u2019s practically impossible to get back.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hackers can pull off wire transfer fraud in several ways. You generally see it as a phishing email, and its quality can run from clearly bogus to seemingly trustworthy. An especially devious route is malware, where cybercriminals gain access to real email correspondence at your company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/how-we-can-help-you\/safety-resources\/scams-and-safety\/common-scams-and-crimes\/business-email-compromise\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Business email compromise (BEC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> scams are common fraudulent wire transfer tactics in the construction industry. With a BEC scam, hackers impersonate figures with authority (like CEOs) and use urgent wording to pressure you to pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Educate employees, carefully inspect messages and bolster your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/it-services\/cybersecurity\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">antivirus\/antimalware software<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to avoid fraudulent wire transfers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/blog\/the-importance-of-cybersecurity-for-engineering-firms\/\"><b>The Importance of Cybersecurity for Engineering Firms<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Get 24\/7 Protection With CMIT Solutions of Bellevue<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cybercriminals are relentless. They know how much sensitive data your construction company handles. And they\u2019re more than happy to exploit any digital vulnerabilities to steal it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Plus, keeping up with the avalanche of new devices, software and systems can be a headache. Meanwhile, serious cybersecurity pitfalls are waiting in the wings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CMIT Solutions of Bellevue<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is ready to keep your construction company in the clear. We use cutting-edge technologies alongside individualized services to ensure your data stays safe. Our extensive experience in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/industries\/construction\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">construction industry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers you a solid line of defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-kirkland-redmond\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to learn about our comprehensive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/it-services\/managed-services\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">managed IT services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/it-services\/cybersecurity\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">cybersecurity services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Together, we can help protect your business!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Featured image via <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/get.pxhere.com\/photo\/adult-architect-architectural-architecture-blank-blue-blueprint-building-business-businessman-caucasian-civil-communication-computer-connection-construction-consulting-contractor-copyspace-cropped-design-designer-desk-diagram-drawing-engineer-experts-hand-hispanic-horizontal-indoors-internet-job-laptop-male-meeting-men-occupation-office-one-people-person-plan-print-profession-professional-technology-wireless-working-young-1575627.jpg\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PxHere<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Construction companies have definite cybersecurity concerns in the modern workplace, on-site and off. Learn what your company should watch out for.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-it"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bellevue-wa-1140\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}