New tools mean new threats

When you walk onto most construction job sites in 2023, you’ll likely come across advanced technical equipment, such as site sensors that check for harmful noise levels and dust particles. You may also see personnel wearing smart tech and smart clothes that can send a signal if they’re hurt on the job. 

These are all great innovations, but you must understand the risks of having so much digital equipment in one place. Hackers can use any tech as an entry point to get into your servers and wreak havoc with the confidential information held within. From there, the impact could be catastrophic. The data cybercriminals steal could include business plans and acquisition strategies, which could be sold to competing companies. Employee information could be stolen and sold on the black market. It could also be used for phishing and other scams.

There’s also the growing risk of a ransomware scam, where the hackers can take your systems under their control and freeze them so they can’t be used. Then, they don’t relinquish control until your company pays their ransom, and even that’s not guaranteed. On top of the financial implications, many machines on a job site can be dangerous if misused, so there’s no telling what negative outcomes could arise if a hacker has control. 

Make cybersecurity a priority from the start

As a safety professional, it’s your responsibility to ensure that everyone on the construction crew understands the threat of cybercrime and how to thwart its potential impact on their work. A digital literacy training program should be implemented during all new employee orientations that explains the basics, including what cybersecurity is, the common threats, and how to identify threats if they see them.

It’s possible that your team may be anxious to get out on the site, and they may be less than thrilled to go through cybersecurity training. Several strategies can make training your employees on cybersecurity more effective, including hosting smaller training sessions including games and interactive content. Also, ensure that your materials are current and applicable to your existing technology so you don’t have to bring your teams together in a few months to retrain. Also, provide your teams with a way to communicate and report when they do see a cyberthreat.

Next, making certain cybersecurity protocols a priority upfront for new employees is essential. The first is to implement a zero-trust security model, which means that you’re verifying every employee every time, while preventing any unauthorized personnel from gaining access to your systems. Work with the HR teams to give each employee access to only the systems they need. When an employee leaves the project, eliminate their access so they can’t return later and cause a disruption. 

You’ll also need to address the talent shortages that can be a factor for many construction companies. You may not have a dedicated IT team, but you can cross-train the folks who work with tech on your site about the proper cybersecurity protocols so they can be part of the solution.

Create plans and put them into action

Making certain cybersecurity protocols a priority upfront for new employees is essential. By implementing a zero-trust security model, which means that you’re verifying every employee every time while preventing any unauthorized personnel from gaining access to your systems. Work with the HR teams to give each employee access to only the systems they need. When an employee leaves the project, eliminate their access so they can’t return later and cause a disruption. 

In addition, your company needs to put the proper precautions in place to avoid the potential for cybercrime and mitigate the damage if an issue does occur. Since there are so many new threats associated with the construction industry, it’s wise to invest in cyberliability insurance, which can be instrumental in the case of a data breach. Many insurance companies will help cover the expenses and damage control associated with breaches, the cost of negotiating with a criminal in the case of ransomware, and help to cover some of the lost income that can result during a breach.

Then, put together several policies that dictate to the employees how specific devices should be used and the signs they can be aware of to spot a scam. Have all of the staff sign off on the paperwork so they can be held accountable if they are negligent. Since it’s common for various professionals to come and go during a project, ensure that they all sign off on these policies before they begin work.

Of course, it’s also important to remember the basics of cybersecurity on the job site. All applications and devices must require complex passwords that should be changed regularly. Also, your tech team should install malware and antivirus software on all computers and update it regularly to mediate threats before they can cause issues.

If you run a construction crew, it’s time to start turning your attention to cybercrime and putting the proper precautions in place today. Stop a threat before it can start, and you’ll protect your clients and customers.