When Construction IT Breaks, the Whole Job Site Pays
Look, we get it. When you’re juggling subs, RFIs, and Gantt charts across five active projects, the last thing you want to think about is cybersecurity. But if you’re skipping the basics, you’re leaving the back door wide open for disaster.
According to IBM’s 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report, 82% of data breaches involved cloud-stored data—the same kind you use to run Procore, BIM platforms, financial systems, and compliance records. And here’s the kicker: most of those breaches were 100% preventable with foundational cyber hygiene.
Whether you’re managing IT in-house or partnering with a network services provider in Salt Lake City, these four basics are non-negotiable.
1. Lock Down Your Network Perimeter
It doesn’t matter if you’re operating from a trailer off I-15 or a tower crane in Sugar House—your network needs to be locked down tight.
That means encrypting data in transit, enforcing strong firewall policies, and using hidden SSIDs on your WiFi networks. Passwords should be unique and hardened, and remote access must be routed through a VPN. If your field crews or PMs are working from tablets and laptops, endpoint protection is a must.
Qual IT offers IT support for Salt Lake City construction companies that includes custom router configurations, secure remote access setups, and endpoint monitoring.
2. Train Your Team To Be Your First Line of Defense
If your foreman can’t spot a phishing email, your entire job could be at risk. One wrong click, and ransomware could bring down your ERP, your plan sets, and your project schedules.
We recommend company-wide security policies that are tailored to the construction field, like:
- MFA (multi-factor authentication) on all accounts
- Password managers instead of sticky notes in the job trailer
- Regular phishing simulations and live awareness training
- A clear process for reporting suspicious activity
Our IT services include training tailored for construction teams—not just tech jargon. We speak your language and teach your crews how to stay safe.
3. Back Up Everything You Can’t Afford to Lose
If ransomware hits and you don’t have backups of your contracts, specs, and RFIs, you’re not just behind schedule—you’re out of luck.
Backups should be automatic, encrypted, and stored in multiple places. That means:
- Daily offsite backups of project folders
- Cloud-based backups for accounting and HR
- Versioned backups so you can restore clean data after an attack
We help Salt Lake construction firms implement rock-solid backup systems and disaster recovery plans that can withstand even the nastiest malware.
4. Give Access Only Where It’s Earned
Not every assistant PM or subcontractor needs access to the company’s full shared drive. Limiting access rights is a key part of cyber hygiene.
- Only give access to the files and systems employees need
- Regularly audit permissions as roles change
- Revoke access immediately when someone leaves the company
- Restrict admin privileges to trusted IT personnel only
When you minimize access, you minimize exposure—even if something slips through the cracks.
Invest Now or Pay Later
We know it feels like a hassle. But bolting on cyber hygiene is a lot less painful than losing bids, breaching contracts, or watching a breach delay the ribbon-cutting on your biggest project of the year.
Ready To Know Where You Stand?
If you’re a Salt Lake City construction firm unsure whether your current IT systems are leaving you exposed, we’ll show you where the gaps are. Our Free Cybersecurity Network Assessment includes a full risk audit, cloud security review, and practical steps to lock things down.
