Ensuring cybersecurity until a few years ago was exclusive to all companies operating the most technology-driven industries, dealing with corporate networks, incoming and outgoing data flow.
The construction industry has only recently raised its cyber security watchdog levels.
In fact, threats from outside are growing and today spare no sector. This is mainly because digitization is affecting everyone even all organizations that until a few years ago had no connection with the IT world.
In addition, it must be considered that cybersecurity today is something that small and medium-sized enterprises must also take an interest in.
As we learn from numerous research studies, attacks on computer systems are frequent and increasing. These increasingly target small and medium-sized enterprises, which have not yet implemented cybersecurity services. The attacks spare no sector.
Table of Contents
Information security in the construction industry. 1
Cyber risks in the construction industry. 1
The importance of developing a cybersecurity strategy. 1
Construction industry: most common attacks 2
Cyber risks in the construction industry
As anticipated, technological progress is strongly affecting the construction industry. More and more information is being exchanged via the cloud. There are more and more devices that are always connected to the network, from Panel PCs to industrial tablets.
Security today is not only about ensuring that thieves or malicious intruders can get close to construction sites or offices. Thefts of machinery and materials are definitely a problem, but today companies also have to deal with illicit actions from the Internet.
These in particular consist of thefts of: personal data, documents, graphics processing, and blueprints.
Suffering a computer systems breach can cause extensive damage to the company operating in the construction industry.
The damage directly transmits into a loss of revenue, impairs productivity, and brand value also suffers. Corporate reputation will be compromised and viewed negatively by operators and customers.
Hardware Solutions is supports construction companies in the industry and uses all the skills of its team in order toprovide efficient solutions that can ensure total security of all data on the network.
The importance of developing a cybersecurity strategy
It is important for all companies, even the smallest ones, operating in the construction industry to take action as soon as possible in outlining a proper strategy aimed at ensuring computer network security. There is no single strategy; this depends on many aspects.
To date, there are important internationally recognized certifications that allow for a careful analysis of the cybersecurity present in the company.
For example, the ISO 27001 – ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 – SOC 2 certifications ensure that the company correctly handles the personal data received in order to guarantee the privacy of the stakeholders.
However, it is not enough to achieve certain certifications to feel safe from possible cyber attacks. First, the business networks used should be carefully evaluated, updated, and possibly vetted by one or more subject matter experts.
It should also be considered that it is not enough to ensure security within the company but this should also be ensured by all companies with which one interfaces.
In fact, most cyber attacks occur only after careful study and generally target the weakest company in the entire chain.
Therefore, the advice is for a shared cybersecurity strategy with all partners thus ensuring that everyone takes the issue seriously.
Construction industry: most common attacks
Companies in the construction industry can suffer many different cyber attacks. As anticipated, it is important to devise an appropriate defense plan, mainly preventing both personal and sensitive data and company projects from being seized from the outside.
Ransomware
The most common cyber attack is called a ransomware attack. This mode of attack consists of stealing data on corporate hard drives.
The data are encrypted and become inaccessible to their owners. At this point it may be necessary to pay a ransom to regain possession of the data.
Denial-of-service (DoS)
Another classic attack is called Denial of Service. In this case, computer systems are targeted and to simplify, they are overloaded with data.
Machines are found to be infected with this data and can no longer handle all operations . As a result, systems experience severe slowdowns and sometimes can no longer connect to networks.
This attack generally serves to disrupt the services provided by the construction company and benefits a potential competitor.
Botnet
Similarly, there are numerous attacks all aimed at slowing down computer systems and thus creating a disruption. Of these, botnet is one of the most common and involves attacking computer systems by filling up data transmission bands and thus rendering them unusable.
Consequences
Suffering a cyber attack is not pleasant and can be safely equated with a classic type of theft.
Hardware Solutions for more than 15 years has been implementing solutions that are always in step with the times in order to guarantee companies operating on the Italian territory, and not only, maximum IT security.
The damage from a possible attack is easily detected.
Reduced productivity
The company that is not adequately covered in cybersecurity finds itself forced to shut down its production even for extended periods of time.
This could lead to missed deadlines, financial problems, and of course you suffer a lot of image damage.
Expenses
It is much easier to prevent cyber attacks i than to intervene afterwards. The expense of recovering the data and securing all the systems could be substantial, putting the company’s viability at serious risk.
Reputation
Finally, even once the problem is solved, the reputation of the construction company or any other industry suffers. Damaged reputation can lead to problems in finding new clients and new projects.
The consequences are innumerable and are aggravated especially if the company is publicly traded which suffers a loss of share value and significant media exposure.
