Reasons Behind Cybersecurity Threats to Construction Data

In an age where digital security is literally necessary, the construction industry faces a lot of unique challenges. Especially when it comes to safeguarding some valuable data from cyberattacks and breaches.

It’s not simply about locking up and protecting the construction site, the tools, and the documents when they’re not in use anymore.  Cyber threats now extend beyond securing physical construction sites and construction equipment to protecting personal data, project information, software, and hardware. Understanding the reasons behind these cyber threats is also important.

Why Cyber Threats are So Much More Common in Construction?

Even with multiple layers of security in place, fraudsters are still finding ways to access valuable assets that can do irreparable harm to both organizations and customers. The idea of classified and confidential information being stolen can be frightening. A 2021 Data Breach analysis published by Kroll found that data breaches in the construction industry alone grew by 800% between 2019 and 2020.

Limited Data Security Regulations

The construction industry always shows a resistance to data security and privacy laws. This along with a slower digitization adoption contributes a lot to why it is prone to cyber attacks.

Exposure to Third Parties 

The industry actually relies on lots of different stakeholders and subcontractors.  Of course this also exposes it to some potential cyber threats through different entry points.

The industry’s resistance to regulation in data security and privacy laws, the slower adoption of digitization, the increased exposure to third parties, the shift to remote work environments, and the fact that construction companies of all sizes store desirable data and personal information that such threats find appealing are just a few of the factors that contribute to this.