If you’re in construction here in Salt Lake City, compliance might not be the first thing on your mind. But in 2025, it better be close to the top.
For too many construction companies—from general contractors to civil firms—compliance feels like a problem for "big corporations." But the truth is, enforcement is tightening up, and construction companies are right in the crosshairs. Data protection, financial controls, subcontractor management—these aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore. They're compliance requirements.
And overlooking them could cost you six figures or more.
Why Compliance Is No Longer Optional In Construction
Regulatory agencies like OSHA, the FTC, PCI SSC, and yes—even the Department of Health and Human Services (if you’re doing any healthcare work)—are now enforcing stricter IT and cybersecurity protocols. And when your subs are emailing project files from Gmail accounts, or you’re storing sensitive bid data on an unencrypted server, you're exposed.
Noncompliance is no longer a slap on the wrist. It’s project delays, legal liability, and lost RFPs.
Compliance Regulations That Now Apply To Construction
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)
If you bid on any federal or DoD-adjacent work (think infrastructure, defense, or VA hospitals), CMMC applies. Requirements include:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Controlled access to jobsite and project files
- Continuous monitoring and incident response plans
- Annual cybersecurity audits
Failing to comply? That’s an automatic RFP disqualification—and possibly a breach of contract.
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
Do you accept credit cards at your supply yards or customer service desk? Then PCI DSS applies:
- Secure storage of cardholder data
- Encryption across endpoints
- Routine vulnerability scans
Noncompliance fines can run up to $100,000 per month. That’s a lot of concrete.
FTC Safeguards Rule
If your company handles consumer financial data or employee benefits info, the FTC expects you to:
- Maintain a written security policy
- Assign a compliance manager
- Enforce endpoint protection and access control
You don’t need to be a financial firm to be held accountable. One contractor we worked with got fined when a payroll document was leaked by a third-party vendor they never vetted.
The Real Cost Of Noncompliance In Construction
We helped a mid-sized GC in Salt Lake City clean up after a phishing attack on their email system exposed subcontractor tax IDs. They were fined $75,000, lost a $4M contract, and had to rebuild trust with their subcontractor network.
It wasn’t that they didn’t care about compliance. They just assumed their MSP had it covered.
How To Keep Your Firm Compliant (Without Losing Your Mind)
Run Regular Risk Assessments: You wouldn’t pour concrete without checking soil compaction—so why run your network without checking vulnerabilities?
Harden Your Defenses: MFA, secure cloud-based project platforms, endpoint protection, and yes—encrypted backups. These aren’t luxuries. They’re minimum requirements.
Train Your Team: Most breaches start with human error. Make sure your PMs, AEs, and office admins know the compliance playbook.
Develop An Incident Response Plan: When—not if—something goes wrong, you need a protocol.
Work With A Partner Who Knows Construction: Don’t hire a generalist MSP. Get a provider like Qual IT that understands BIM software, field-to-office integrations, and regulatory compliance for construction.
Don't Wait For A Fine To Wake You Up
Most Salt Lake City construction leaders don’t realize they’re out of compliance until it’s too late. A ransomware breach. A missed RFP. A fine you didn’t see coming.
Don’t let that be you.
Let us give your network and compliance protocols a no-BS review. We’ll tell you exactly where you stand and how to fix it.
Click here to book your FREE Network Assessment with Qual IT.
