Most people don’t give cybersecurity and construction project management a second thought until they become the victim of a cybercrime.
Perhaps you fall for a phishing scam and inadvertently share your credit card information with someone. Or maybe you’re a victim of a ransomware scheme, losing access to critical files, or someone just takes over your social media account. There are numerous cybercrimes occurring today, costing the global economy billions of dollars annually.
The point is that we’re all at risk all the time, and the best time to think about cybersecurity and protecting your data is before you become a victim. Here’s what you need to know.
Most Cyber Criminals Don't Break In
The first thing you need to know about data security and cybercrime is that, in most cases, criminals don’t have to break into your system. Instead, in cybercrime cases, they’re let in by human error.
This could be because they followed a fake link and entered account information, it could be because they opened the wrong email attachment, or it could just be because they left an unsecured device in a publicly accessible area.
Because human error is a significant factor in global cybercrime, the first step any organization should take to protect itself from becoming a statistic is to implement an electronic security policy and provide employee data security training.
If You're Online, You're at Risk
When we think of hackers, most of us think of shadowy figures in hoodies, plugging their laptops into a mainframe to launch an attack.
However, the reality is a lot less Hollywood than that.
Most hackers are likelier to work in an office building or at an oceanside café. They could even sit in the booth right next to you while you’re sipping your coffee, with no hoodies or mainframes in sight.
That’s because, these days, hackers can attack anyone from anywhere on the planet. If you’re connected to the internet, you’re a potential target. And don’t think that your business or organization is too small or unimportant to be targeted. Nearly.
The Cloud Is a Game Changer
These days, most of us use the cloud in a personal capacity. We share files on OneDrive, store photos in Google Drive, and stream music and movies directly from Spotify or Netflix. Still, you might not realize that by doing that, you’re also making yourself a more difficult target for would-be hackers.
When we use cloud-based services and software, we’re not relying on our own network’s security protocols, and unless you work for a major corporation, that’s probably a good thing.
Most personal, small business, and organizational networks don’t receive the security attention they should, which makes them vulnerable to attacks and breaches.
It could be something as simple as reusing a password or forgetting to back up that leads to a significant cybersecurity breach, and it happens a lot more often than you think. Even companies with a network technician or service provider can fall behind, and that’s all it takes to leave the digital door open.
Companies that provide cloud-based services and software typically have dedicated teams focused on security. They think about it day and night, upgrade systems as needed, and usually have automatic backups. That means your information will remain safe and retrievable even if something goes wrong.
They should also utilize advanced security measures, such as one-time passwords and multi-factor authentication. If all else fails, even if your account is compromised, they can usually help you regain access when you contact tech support.
It’s like having the best possible cybersecurity team working for you 24 hours a day, and that’s great news for anyone.
Communication Is a Target
The construction industry has historically been a slower adopter of technology than most other industries. While that is changing, the industry is still perceived as a soft target for those seeking to infiltrate networks, steal data, or launch a ransomware attack.
Companies and organizations of all sizes, including large construction material manufacturers, are victims of massive cyberattacks, which can be costly, disrupt various systems and processes, and bring work to a halt.
You don’t have to be in the construction industry to be at increased risk, either. Since many cyberattacks are designed to spread via emails or traditional software systems, you could be swallowed up by this kind of event if you work with construction companies, professionals, or anyone attached to the industry.
Security Needs to Be on Your Software Must-Have List
The simple fact is that millions of cyberattacks occur every year, and every single one of us is at risk.
Suppose you’re still using outdated anti-virus software or older desktop software that no longer gets security patches. In that case, you’re putting yourself at more risk, and it’s only a matter of time before someone takes advantage of that.
These days, when you’re making any decision about software or digital systems, security should be proper at the top of your must-have list.
Start your search for new software and systems by asking what kind of security measures are built into the program and what kind of backups and fail-safes are employed by the company you’re considering before you ask any other questions. If there’s no security plan in place, nothing else on the feature list is worth the risk.
Ask software developers and service providers about their security teams and their credentials, and learn more about the security of their servers.
Look for companies that are obsessed with protecting your data and that spend a big chunk of their time keeping everything up to date, and don’t be afraid to ask if they’ve ever had any security issues in the past.
Your data is priceless, and you want to work with companies that understand that and take every necessary precaution to keep it safe.
Owner Insite Is Committed to Data Security
When we built Owner Insite, a significant part of our motivation was to ensure that construction project owners had a better, safer, and more reliable method of storing, accessing, and utilizing critical construction data from their projects, and nothing has changed.
Cybercrime has become more common these days, but we’ve just become more relentless in our mission to keep your project data safe, and that’s never going to change.
So, if you’re thinking of finding a safer, more secure place to keep your construction document records, reach out to the team, and we’d be more than happy to tell you how we can help. Call us at 888-336-3393 or email us at sales@owner-insite.com to learn more.
