AI is changing the way we build—from automating BIM workflows to streamlining procurement and even predicting project delays. But while it’s helping Salt Lake City construction firms work smarter, it’s also giving cybercriminals a new set of power tools.
And here’s the part no one wants to admit: They’re using AI just as fast as we are.
That’s why having specialized, construction-focused managed IT services in Salt Lake City isn’t optional anymore. It’s critical.
Here are three AI-driven cyber threats that every IT director, ops manager, and project lead in construction should have on their radar.
Doppelgängers in the Trailer: Deepfakes in Jobsite Communications
AI-powered deepfakes aren’t just a threat to politics or celebrity scandals—they’re showing up in project meetings, vendor calls, and yes, even internal video check-ins.
One real-world example involved a construction firm receiving a video call that looked and sounded like their CFO. The fake CFO requested immediate access to procurement files and convinced a junior PM to share login credentials.
Here in Salt Lake City, where construction firms are coordinating across dispersed sites and remote offices, the risk is amplified. Watch for:
- Facial movements that don’t sync with speech
- Strange lighting or flickering video artifacts
- Unusual requests from familiar faces
A trusted IT provider in construction will help your team verify communications and implement secure protocols for financial data access—no matter what face is asking for it.
Creepy Crawlies in Your Inbox: AI-Powered Phishing Targeting Project Data
We’ve all warned our teams about phishing, but here’s what’s new: AI now writes emails so convincing, even seasoned estimators and supers are falling for them.
AI-driven phishing campaigns are:
- Free of typos and awkward grammar
- Customized with project names and roles scraped from LinkedIn or Procore
- Translated into perfect English (or Spanish, depending on your crew)
You need more than firewalls and spam filters. Salt Lake City construction companies need:
- Multi-factor authentication across all project management and ERP tools
- Regular field-to-office training on spotting suspicious emails
- Secure file-sharing protocols so documents never go to the wrong inbox
Cybersecurity in construction doesn’t start with a server. It starts with your people.
Skeleton Software: AI Tools Masquerading as Construction Tech
Not every AI tool claiming to speed up takeoffs or crunch job cost data is what it seems. Cybercriminals are packaging malware inside what look like legitimate AI plug-ins, cracked software, and even browser extensions tied to construction workflows.
One example? A fake AI plug-in advertised as a scheduling optimizer for Primavera. Once installed, it logged keystrokes and uploaded project credentials.
Don’t install tools without vetting them first. Your IT support provider should:
- Approve and sandbox new tools before use
- Monitor endpoints for malicious behavior
- Keep a centralized list of trusted construction tech integrations
When it comes to AI, what you don’t know can hurt you—especially if it’s hiding in the tools your crew relies on.
Don’t Let the AI Boogeyman Haunt Your Jobsites
AI isn’t going away. And honestly, it’s not the enemy. The real threat is using AI without the right security strategy in place.
Salt Lake City construction companies are being targeted more than ever—because attackers know the value of project data, site schedules, and financial records.
With the right managed IT services tailored to construction, you can use AI to your advantage without exposing your company to risk.
Ready to Kick the AI Ghosts Off Your Jobsite?
Let’s talk. Our Salt Lake City-based team at Qual IT specializes in IT support for construction companies that don’t have time for tech headaches.
