While we’re developing processes to protect workers from each other during a pandemic, we may be lowering our defenses against other viruses. Cyberattacks are becoming more cause for concern in the construction business, but we’re taking fewer steps to mitigate cybersecurity.
Construction Companies and Cyberattacks
“Hackers are increasingly going after construction companies,” said Zachary Phillips of Construction Dive. And construction companies are often underprepared for an attack. “The disconnect between the field and the office can create lapses that hackers can exploit, and there are more chances employees can make mistakes.”
How They Hack
Hackers will pose as subcontractors. They’ll message construction business A/R (accounts receivables) or accountants and claim to have a new routing number.
Another hack is to email an employee at 4:00 p.m. on a Friday, just as things are wrapping up for the weekend. The hacker will ask for vital information and hope the employee is too distracted to see the red flags.
5 Clues You’re Being Hacked
“Odd-sounding” wording and spelling mistakes are often clues to a potential hack. Other indicators your construction business may be the victim of a cyberattack can include:
- Action pop-ups – One of the more successful pop-ups says, “You’ve won! Click here to claim your prize!” A more deadly pop-up is “Your files have been encrypted. Send $1,000 by noon tomorrow or we’ll delete the key.” It’s called “ransomware.” Even if you send the money, you may not get the key.
- Crashes – Uploaded malware can cause crashes or slow-running equipment.
- Mass emails – Employees not known for sending mass emails about anything suddenly send one to the entire organization.
- Network performance – Your construction business router or network slows substantially. A hacker is downloading large amounts of information or connecting to your network.
- Unusual activity – You see activity at vacant workstations. Working employees may notice their cursors move or programs and files open “by themselves.”
Construction Business Intelligence for Our Industry
Your construction business has technology options to maximize efficiency, including cybersecurity software. Make one of your new year resolutions to explore cybersecurity options for your company. You may think you’re “not big enough” to be a target, but you’re wrong.
Construction Monitor uses business intelligence data to help your organization work smarter and more competitively. Contact us today.