The threat of cyber security in the construction industry
Cyber security breaches are a threat to all industries, sectors and organisations of all sizes. The construction industry, which makes up 7% of the UK’s GDP, is particularly at risk from cyber threats. Construction firms are undergoing immense challenges in cyber security – the industry has been notoriously slow at implementing technology into their practices, let alone addressing cyber risk vulnerabilities. The drive towards innovative technology across the industry, including project management systems, which will make huge advancements in efficiency, sustainability and value for money will also mean greater exposure to potential data breaches.
The security risks to the construction industry
Contractors, both large and small, hold vast amounts of information that cyber criminals will be interested in. Although construction firms will hardly ever hold sensitive credit card information, they are responsible for confidential files containing employee data, tenders, property proposals, plans, drawings and client data. If accessed and exploited by cyber attackers, the firms will suffer great financial loss, which can be especially detrimental to small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up a large proportion of the construction industry. You can see the concern here.
Protect your organisation against cyber attacks
No one is immune to the cyber security threat – that’s why taking considered steps to improve your cyber security is crucial to the longevity of your business. A cyber security breach can happen anywhere across the entire supply chain of your business and it is a risk that needs to be continually managed and regulated. A great first step to do this is by using Cyber Essentials.
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed scheme which protects your organisation from 80% of the most common cyber-attacks. You can become protected in just two business days.
See how Cyber Essentials and our various packages can help you.