“That Would Never Happen to Us”
At Johnson & Sons Construction, cybersecurity wasn’t a priority. Their focus? Getting the job done, on time and on budget. Then one morning, everything stopped working.
- Project management software? Locked.
- Payroll system? Frozen.
- Site access? Denied.
And then, a chilling message appeared: “We have locked your files. Pay $500,000 in Bitcoin, or you lose everything.” At first, the team couldn’t believe it. Why would hackers target a construction company? But that’s the problem—most firms assume cyberattacks only happen to banks, hospitals, or tech companies. In reality, ransomware attacks in the construction industry increased by 41% between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. While many industries handle high-value data, construction’s unique combination of financials, blueprints, and contractual details makes it especially attractive.
Why Construction Companies Are Especially Vulnerable?
1.”We’ve Never Been Hacked Before” Is a False Sense of Security
Many construction firms assume they’re too small or too niche to be targeted. Most ransomware isn’t targeted, it’s opportunistic. Hackers deploy malicious tools broadly, waiting for anyone with weak defenses to get caught. Whether your firm has 2 or 2000 people it doesn’t matter. What matters is how easily they can get in. If your company lacks strong cybersecurity, you’re exactly who they want to attack.
2.Construction Firms Handle High-Value Data
Blueprints, financial data, contract bids—this is information worth stealing. In fact, the industrial sector, which includes construction, experienced the costliest increase of any industry, rising by an average of $830,000 per breach over the previous year.
3.Outdated Tech & Weak Security Make Breaches Easy
- Unsecured Wi-Fi at job sites
- Shared passwords between teams
- Older project management software that lacks security updates
Hackers know these weaknesses make it easy to break in. Additionally, phishing, particularly spearphishing, has been identified as the most common initial access technique, accounting for 19% of incidents in the construction industry during the same period.
4.The Supply Chain Creates Cyber Risks
Most construction firms work with hundreds of vendors—material suppliers, architects, subcontractors. One weak link in that chain can open the door for hackers. Cybercriminals are now leveraging third-party breaches to infiltrate entire supply chains, making vendor security just as critical as internal protections.
The Top Cyber Threats Facing Construction Firms
1.Ransomware Attacks
Just like in our Johnson & Sons scenario, ransomware locks company files and demands a ransom to restore access. Reality Check: Between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, 481 construction organizations were listed on data-leak websites, marking a 34% increase from the previous year.
2.Phishing Scams & Fake Invoices
Hackers send emails pretending to be vendors or partners, tricking companies into wiring payments to fraudulent accounts. Reality Check: Phishing continues to be a significant problem for builders, with 481 construction organizations listed on data-leaking websites used by ransomware attackers in 2024, a 41% increase year over year.
3.Data Breaches & Stolen Credentials
Hackers aren’t just locking files—they’re stealing sensitive information and selling it on the dark web. Reality Check: Credential exposure incidents have surged by 83% from the previous year, now constituting 75% of all digital risk protection alerts for the construction sector.
How Construction Firms Can Strengthen Cybersecurity
1.Train Employees to Recognize Cyber Threats
A company’s best defense isn’t software—it’s an informed team. Teach employees to spot phishing emails, fake invoices, and suspicious links before they cause damage.
2.Secure Your Networks & Devices
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all logins
- Lock down job site Wi-Fi with encrypted networks
- Install security software on all company devices
3.Back Up Your Data—Before It’s Too Late
Did you know? Even cloud services like Microsoft and Google often only retain deleted files for 30 days. If a ransomware attack stealthily encrypts files that haven’t been touched in that time, they could be permanently lost—unless you’ve backed them up elsewhere.
- Schedule automatic backups of all project files
- Store copies in secure, offsite locations
4.Partner with a Managed IT Provider (MSP)
When a cyber incident hits, timing is everything. You don’t want to wait until 8 AM the next day for help. An MSP provides 24/7/365 support—so threats are addressed immediately, not when it’s convenient.
- Monitor your systems 24/7
- Ensure compliance with security best practices
- Respond quickly if a threat is detected
Cybersecurity in Construction is Just as Important as Job Site Safety
Hackers don’t care how hard you’ve worked to build your business. They only care how easy it is to break in. The good news? A strong cybersecurity plan can stop them. Want a free cybersecurity risk assessment? Schedule one today. Let’s build a safer, stronger construction industry—together.
Schedule a Free Security Review
References
- ReliaQuest, Report Shows Ransomware Has Grown 41% for Construction Industry: https://www.reliaquest.com/blog/report-shows-ransomware-has-grown-41-for-construction-industry/
- SecurityHQ, Construction Threat Landscape Report 2024: https://www.securityhq.com/reports/construction-threat-landscape-report-2024/
- Construction Dive, Data leaks, phishing will continue to threaten builders in 2025: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/data-leak-phishing-construction-cyber-threat/734588/