By Austin McDonald | Qual IT
A principal at a local Salt Lake City architecture firm recently asked me, “What are the most common mistakes you see when it comes to IT and cybersecurity in our industry?”
Let’s just say—I had a list ready.
After years of working with design-driven firms, I can tell you the number one mistake is this: treating IT and cybersecurity like an afterthought.
Even in 2025, with ransomware stories in the news weekly, too many architectural firms still treat IT as something you only fix when it breaks. But when you're juggling multimillion-dollar builds, BIM collaboration, and sensitive client data, waiting until "after something goes wrong" is the most expensive approach you can take.
Mistake #1: DIY or "Good Enough" IT Solutions
Free antivirus. Consumer-grade routers. One-size-fits-all cloud storage.
I see it all the time—firms trying to cut corners with tech that was never built for 3D modeling, secure design file sharing, or multi-office collaboration.
Look, I get it. Budget pressures are real. But those so-called savings disappear the second a ransomware attack hits or your team loses access to a critical BIM model during a deadline sprint.
You wouldn't trust a free sketching app for a client presentation. Why trust your security to one?
Mistake #2: Underestimating Downtime
When your Revit files won’t load or your network goes down mid-meeting, that’s not just frustrating—it’s revenue lost.
Every minute your team spends troubleshooting software issues or waiting for systems to reboot is time stolen from billable hours.
If you're not investing in high-performance systems and reliable IT support, you’re leaking productivity every single day—and possibly losing projects.
Mistake #3: No Long-Term Cybersecurity Strategy
Architecture firms hold a massive amount of sensitive data—client details, building specs, proprietary models.
But too many firms treat cybersecurity as a one-and-done setup. You install a firewall once, train the team once, and move on.
Meanwhile, threats evolve.
Hackers now target firms specifically because they assume you’re too focused on design to worry about security. They know your clients include high-profile developers, municipalities, and institutions.
A static security posture in a dynamic threat environment is a disaster waiting to happen.
So What’s the Fix?
Here’s the straight answer:
- Stop cutting corners. Invest in professional-grade tools tailored to architecture workflows.
- Think long-term. Security isn’t a checkbox—it’s an ongoing strategy.
- Get help from people who understand your industry.
At Qual IT, we specialize in IT services for architecture firms in Salt Lake City. We know how to support complex design software, enable fast remote collaboration, and protect your firm from today’s evolving threats.
Want to know where your vulnerabilities are?
[Click here to schedule a free 10-minute Cybersecurity Assessment.]
