According to a recent study done by NordLocker, construction is the number 1 industry attacked by ransomware.  Research showed out of 35 identified industries who experienced ransomware attacks during 2020 and 2021, over half were in the construction industry.

Most of these companies were in industries ranging from commercial construction engineering and small and local family-owned businesses.  So, what’s the reasoning for this?  Why are they targeting the construction industry more so than any other sector?

Why are They Getting Targeted?

Both small and commercial businesses are no different when it comes to cyber-attacks.  The experts at NordLocker theorized the reasoning behind the target on construction to being many different factors.  First, because of the common software that the industry relies on heavily, hackers may see it as an opportunity to receive quick payouts.  The industry is built on prompt delivery service and if any delays occur due to ransomware, businesses may be more inclined to pay the fee in order to get back up and running without delays.

Another reason could be because of the common outdated business practices most of the industry implements.  These outdated practices have yet to begin using advanced cybersecurity solutions, which puts a big target on their backs for hackers.

‍What to Do…

Cyber attacks are a constant battle and ever-changing so it can be hard to come up with solutions when attacked.  That’s why it’s crucial you have preventative measures in place in order to avoid the entire situation.  Cybersecurity expert, Oliver Noble, provides a few steps to take in order to decrease the chances of getting targeted.  

1.     Use strong passwords or implement multi-factor security authentication

2.     Train your employees to identify signs of ransomware, especially when emails contain attachments and/or links

3.     Enforce periodic data backups

4.     Begin a zero-trust network access

‍