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Is Your Data Secure?

Cybersecurity deserves year-round attention

The construction industry faces a growing range of cybersecurity threats. Here are the most important concerns, along with a few actionable tips.

People in construction are extremely busy – as you go about your day shuffling between meetings and knocking out tasks, it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees. That’s exactly why Cybersecurity Month is so important as a chance to pause, create good technical strategy to combat various threats, and figure out what you can do better to protect your users and the organization.

Why Cybersecurity?

People in construction are extremely busy – as you go about your day shuffling between meetings and knocking out tasks, it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees. That’s exactly why Cybersecurity Month is so important as a chance to pause, create good technical strategy to combat various threats, and figure out what you can do better to protect your users and the organization.

BUSY?

Not a legitimate excuse

Failing to establish proper cybersecurity measures will only result in having LESS time available. When falling victim to a cyber attack, resolution could require all-hands on deck.

Common cyber-attacks that impact construction

Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a type of phishing cybercrime where attackers use deceptive tactics to manipulate individuals into transferring money or sensitive information, typically by impersonating a high-level executive or trusted partner via email. The scam involves creating a fake email account that closely resembles that of a legitimate person in the organization, often a CEO or finance officer.

When these “bad actors” are on the prowl, they research the target company to enhance credibility. Then, they send emails requesting emergency transfers of funds or sensitive information, creating a sense of urgency. If the target complies, the funds are transferred to the attacker’s account, or sensitive information is leaked.

$10.5 TRILLION USD

is the estimated cost of cybercrime damage that will accrue in 2025. If that amount was a country, it would be the third largest economy besides the U.S. and China. This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that cybercrime is real, and we have to protect ourselves.

Even scarier is the fact that for every innovation developed in the industry to keep us safer, the bad actors have dark web agencies that provide customer service and enterprise level support for countering that new solution. To protect against BEC and the constant threat of bad actors, businesses should implement security measures such as employee training on recognizing phishing attempts and verifying requests through secondary channels. It’s equally important to simulate these attacks via internal phishing campaigns so employees and senior leadership know what to do should a real attack happen.

1 CLICK

That's all the bad actors need to gain access, even in an organization of 5,000 employees.

It’s important to remember that the bad actors out there don’t need to win every time. They hope you had a rough night or morning and aren’t paying close attention so they can get through just one time. If you look at an organization that has 5,000 employees, and let’s say all 5,000 receive the same phishing message, the scammers just need one gullible, untrained employee to click. That one click will compromise your entire organization.

Another threatening issue is that every person now holds a cell phone in their hands – which make no mistake, is a full-fledged computer. Bad actors regularly sent out texts, impersonating prominent employees. Most people probably don’t have an antivirus or web filter on their phone, therefore the mobile device remains a viable attack surface. A bad link, a malicious app, or an ad offering remote support to fix your slow phone is all that needs to pop up on the phone.

THINK BEFORE SCANNING

QR codes have emerged as a prominent risk factor as well. Scammers are already posting fake QR codes on signs and other places, which can result in cyberattacks directly on your personal device.

Malicious computer software is another serious concern within construction organizations as well. It’s all too easy for an unsuspecting employee to download the wrong software masquerading as an effective tool. Think about that convenient weather app, the coupon app, and more. These apps don’t belong on company equipment and you should think twice about loading them on your personal computer.

4 actionable steps the construction industry can take to mitigate cyber risk

Here are a few ways you can improve your organization’s security posture.

1. Give focus to Cybersecurity Awareness Month:

Go ahead and annually emphasize how crucial this month is, along with various awareness programs. Observance of the month provides an opportunity for ongoing education and engagement around cybersecurity best practices. Companies should use this time to enhance awareness and training, making it certain that employees understand their responsibility in protecting sensitive information. Lead campaigns that teach employees how to be cyber safe at home and at work.

2. Transform IT departments into strategic partners:

To tackle cybersecurity challenges effectively, IT departments should be viewed as business partners, not a hindrance or hurdle to sidestep. By integrating IT professionals into business discussions, business leaders can benefit from valuable insights and proactive solutions that align with their goals, fostering a culture of security awareness throughout the company.

3. Keep data secure:

Data security must be a top priority all 12 months out of the year. Companies should implement strong measures to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. Start by documenting your processes and focus on creating repeatable processes that are followed by everyone. Follow a maturity model and adopt a security framework. This can include organizational decisions like maintaining NIST, ISO 270001, SOC 2 compliance (more on this below) and other relevant certifications that help in safeguarding data.

4. Manage new programs effectively:

As new technologies are adopted, IT departments need to play a key role in their review and management. This includes ensuring that systems are secure, integrated, and aligned with security policies. Continuous monitoring is essential to address vulnerabilities and enhance overall security.

HCSS prioritizes cybersecurity

Amidst all of the risks involved in today’s world, it’s important to note that cyber threats are not slowing down anytime soon.

As a long-established and rapidly growing technology company, HCSS has gone above and beyond to stay ahead of the curve and implement industry-leading security programs that protect customer data, mitigate risk, and help businesses meet compliance goals. HCSS also understands that security works best when it does not interfere with day-to-day operations.

One unwavering credential for HCSS is never failing to maintain SOC 1 (Type 2) and SOC 2 (Type 2) compliance. As an independent evaluation that verifies a service organization, a SOC (System and Organization Controls) compliance report adheres to the standards set by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) for all services delivered. This ensures confidentiality, integrity, and that customer systems are readily available at all times.

Stay secure and rely on HCSS

Keeping an organization safe from digital threats is not a set-it-and-forget-it initiative. The bad actors constantly evolve their methods to compromise systems and steal information. Cybersecurity awareness is for all businesses and industries, but particularly for the construction industry because it is the core of the nation’s infrastructure. With the right vision and systems, we have a better chance at protecting our users and the organization at large.