"With the increasing digitalization in the construction sector, securing sensitive data is absolutely essential for the successful functioning of companies. Cybersecurity does not only consist of high-quality technologies, but above all in prevention, education and creating the right security habits among your own employees. Without these measures, even a small human error can cause serious disruption to projects and loss of client trust," explains Adam Heres Vostárek, PlanRadar's regional manager for the Czech Republic.
Alarming increase in cyberattacks
Cyberattacks such as phishing, ransomware or attacks on backup files are currently becoming increasingly common. According to an international analysis in 20241, which took place in 14 countries around the world, the vast majority of construction companies (a whopping 96%) experienced cyberattacks that included an attempt to damage backup data, with 61% of these attempts being successful. These attacks have far-reaching consequences - from financial losses to disruption of operations to damage to the company's reputation. The situation thus points to the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurity across the industry.
How to prevent attacks?
In order for companies to effectively defend themselves against these threats, several key measures need to be implemented. One of them is multi-factor authentication, which adds an additional layer of protection beyond regular passwords. Another important step is to limit access rights. This means that specific employees should only have access to the information that is necessary to perform their job, and not to data for the entire company. Modern software platforms such as PlanRadar allow these processes to be managed effectively, and in addition offer the possibility of monitoring user activities or encrypting data.
Equally important is regular data backups and creating a recovery plan in case the company faces an attack. The combination of local and cloud storage increases the level of protection and allows for faster recovery from potential incidents. Emphasis should also be placed on regular software updates that provide protection against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
The human factor as a key security element
In addition to consistent backups, employee behavior plays a significant role. Another global survey in 20242 shows that approximately one quarter of organizations (25.7%) do not provide their employees with regular IT security training. This fundamental lack of training poses a critical security problem, especially for smaller companies. In the construction industry, where one human error can mean unauthorized access to a wide range of data and information from a number of cooperating entities, training your own employees in cybersecurity is essential. Regular training that leads to threat recognition and proper data handling is therefore absolutely essential in reducing the risk of cyber attacks.
Data protection is a necessity of the modern age
“Cybersecurity in the construction industry requires a comprehensive approach that combines modern technologies with prevention and employee education. By properly setting security measures, construction companies can not only minimize the risk of sensitive information leakage, but also better cope with the growing demands of digitalization,” comments Adam Heres Vostárek. This approach allows companies to optimize their operations, maintain the trust of their partners and clients, and at the same time prepare for future challenges in this dynamically developing industry. Data protection is no longer just a matter of prevention, but a crucial step towards ensuring long-term stability and competitiveness.
