As the engineering industry develops and grows with increasingly advanced tech, cybercriminals target these engineering firms with more complex and aggressive tactics.
Smart devices, client information stored on mobile devices, and building information and project management software are all technological points of entry that cybercriminals can easily pinpoint. While this kind of tech is crucial to improving engineering firms’ daily operations, it also increases their chances of suffering a data breach.
If you work in the engineering industry, two main ways to protect yourself and your company are to educate yourself and be aware of what’s at risk.
In this blog, we’ll address some of the sensitive data that engineering firms handle, as well as the main ways hackers target the engineering industry.
[Related: 5 Tips To Protect Personal Information and Business Data]
Critical Information That Engineering Firms Handle
So, what’s at risk?
Besides costly downtime and interruptions in daily operations, a cyberattack can cause devastating confidential data loss. Engineering firms handle a ton of sensitive data that can be very lucrative for hackers:
- Proprietary information and assets
- Architectural mock-ups
- Corporate banking accounts
- Employee and client personal information
- Intellectual property
And these are just a few examples of the types of information engineering firms handle daily.
Main Ways That Hackers Target Engineering Firms
Because engineering companies rely on complex software and large amounts of data while handling client and staff personal information, they have a big target on their backs in terms of cybercrime.
Hackers target engineering firms in three main ways: ransomware, email fraud and phishing scams.
Ransomware
When you think of engineering firms, cybersecurity might not be one of the first issues that come to mind. Compared to banks, legal firms and other tech-focused industries, engineering firms may not be as focused on cybersecurity and software protection — which can make them extra vulnerable.
Ransomware attacks can halt operations and cost engineering firms a lot of money through disrupting essential software and initializing financial extortion. This is why it’s so important to thoroughly train all staff on basic cybersecurity best practices, such as not clicking suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
Luckily, hiring a managed IT services provider like CMIT Solutions of Bothell can help your engineering firm become much more secure by protecting your data and software.
[Related: IT Support To Benefit Your Business]
Email Fraud
Email fraud is another huge threat to engineering firms. After all, engineering firms participate in online communication practically constantly, and that creates significant vulnerability when it comes to email security.
With email fraud, cybercriminals may impersonate third-party vendors and contractors to deceive recipients and access private information. They might send emails disguised as legitimate requests for confidential data, invoices or wire transfers.
Phishing
One common form of email fraud is a phishing attack.
Cybercriminals use phishing to access account information and other personal data through not only email but also letters, text messages and even phone calls. Hackers misrepresent these messages as legitimate queries. They ask victims to click links, download attachments or confirm private information, which gives them fraudulent access.
Hiring a managed IT services provider and holding regular staff cybersecurity training can help you prevent cyberattacks like phishing in the engineering industry.
[Related: Comprehensive Cybersecurity for Every Business]
Partner With CMIT Solutions of Bothell
Don’t stress about cybersecurity or IT troubles when you could instead focus on the more important tasks that come with running an engineering firm. Grow your business and keep your clients coming back by partnering with a managed IT services provider.
CMIT Solutions of Bothell provides IT services for a variety of industries, including engineering firms. We’ll help you stay on top of your tech needs and make sure all your information — and your clients’ information — stays secure.
Contact us today to get started.
Featured image via Pexels
