Cybersecurity in construction

Cyber Threats on the Jobsite: Why Construction Firms Need AI + Security Now!

July 10, 2025
5 min read

The jobsite is no longer just a physical space. With drones surveying land, tablets managing RFIs, cloud-based platforms handling payroll, and AI optimizing schedules, construction is going completely digital too fast. But as industry embraces this digital transformation, it has also exposed itself to a growing and an often overlooked threat.  

Cyberattacks are becoming very common these days.  

Cybersecurity that was a back-office IT concern, is now a critical issue for project managers and construction leaders. Because it’s not just about the jobsite safety issue. These risks often come with a financial blow, and a reputational time bomb. For construction firms, especially those managing critical project data, subcontractor records, or bidding documents, the time to act shrinks, and it becomes critical.  

The Reality: Construction is now a top target for cybercriminals

  • Construction companies saw cyberattacks double between 2023 and 2024, phishing rose by 83% and ransomware by 41% during that period.  
  • According to a 2024 report by Check Point Research, the construction sector experienced a 20% year-over-year increase in weekly cyberattacks, with firms facing an average of 1,200 attacks per week.  

These threats aren’t happening out of the blue. They’re happening more often, right in front of us. The unsecured network, vulnerable digital field tech, and the growing value of data of construction projects is what driving them.

But why is construction being hit so hard?

  • Decentralized teams and shared file access
  • Legacy systems and outdated tech stacks
  • Multiple third-party vendors with inconsistent security protocols
  • Lack of dedicated cybersecurity personnel

These factors combine to make construction firms both vulnerable and valuable to attackers.

What are the most common cyber threats on the jobsite?

Understanding the threats is step one. Here’s what construction firms face:

  1. Ransomware attacks that halt projects: Cybercriminals lock your files like blueprints, schedules, or contracts and demand a ransom. With everything frozen, construction firms often pay just to get back to work.

  1. Phishing scams that trick your team: Fake emails or calls impersonating contractors, vendors, or clients to steal passwords or financial info. These attacks often target accounting or project managers.

  1. Supply chain breaches through trusted partners: Hackers exploit weaker vendors or subcontractors to infiltrate your systems. The more partners involved, the more entry points for attackers.

  1. Smart equipment that opens backdoors: Drones, wearables, and connected machines boost productivity but if unsecured, they give hackers access to your jobsite network.

  1. Data breaches that expose sensitive info: Leaked financials, blueprints, or employee records can cost millions and erode trust. Breaches often come from weak passwords or outdated software.

  1. Man-in-the-middle (mitm) attacks on unsecured networks: Hackers intercept data sent over public or unprotected wi-fi, quietly tampering with files, emails, or even payment details without detection.

The cyber security threat and the loss associated with it for construction firms

Losing data is bad. But in construction, the consequences go far beyond that:

  • Project Delays: Cyber incidents often halt access to schedules, files, and communications.
  • Financial Damage: Between ransoms, legal fees, and recovery costs, attacks can easily exceed six or seven figures.
  • Reputational Harm: Clients and partners may reconsider working with a firm that can’t secure its systems.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Many public projects now require proof of cybersecurity practices and risk assessments.

The role of AI: More than just a productivity tool

Artificial intelligence is often talked about in terms of automation for faster estimates, smarter scheduling, and predictive maintenance. But in the cybersecurity space, AI is your early warning system.

Here’s how:

  • Anomaly detection: AI can spot unusual logins, file access patterns, or system behavior in real time.
  • Automated threat response: AI-driven systems can isolate threats instantly, reducing damage.
  • Behavioral monitoring: Tracks user behavior over time to identify potential insider threats.
  • Continuous learning: AI evolves with new threat patterns, unlike static rule-based systems.

How to future-proof your jobsite: 6 steps to secure construction operations

  1. Choose SOC 2 Type 2 Compliant Platforms
    Select construction project management software that are SOC 2 Type 2 independently audited for how they secure data over time, not just on paper.
  1. Encrypt Everything
    From timecards to site plans, ensure data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
  1. Educate Your Team
    Run regular phishing simulations and make cybersecurity training part of onboarding.
  1. Limit Access, Monitor Behavior
    Use role-based permissions and AI-driven monitoring to detect anomalies.
  1. Vet Your Vendors
    Ensure your subcontractors and third-party tech providers follow strong security protocols.
  1. Enable Real-Time Alerts
    Cloudflare, Azure Defender, or built-in tools, ensure that you have a platform that can flag and respond to threats instantly.

Read more: Data safety in construction  

Why AI + Security matter now more than ever

For today’s CFOs and construction executives, cybersecurity is no longer a technical add-on; it’s a core part of financial risk strategy. From estimating and procurement to billing and closeout, every touchpoint on a jobsite now runs on data. As construction becomes increasingly digitized, the stakes rise. Cybercriminals know this, and they're targeting firms that delay investing in secure infrastructure.

AI delivers unmatched speed and cost-saving automation, but without the right security framework, it can also amplify exposure. That’s why now, more than ever, construction firms need platforms that combine advanced intelligence with airtight safeguards. With data constantly flowing between field teams, office systems, and third-party tools, the jobsite is more connected and more exposed than ever before.

AI brings speed, automation, and insight, but without the right guardrails, it also opens the door to advanced threats. That’s why investing in AI and security is a strategic necessity.

How KYRO help prevent threats like this?

At KYRO, we treat cybersecurity as a core pillar of our construction management software. Our platform is SOC 2 Type 2 certified with zero exceptions, a level of compliance that ensures rigorous, ongoing protection of client data.

We run on Microsoft Azure infrastructure, use end-to-end encryption, and actively monitor threats in real time. It's the commitment to safety and a system for proactive defense and automation that helps our clients build smarter and safer. Because for us, protecting your project data isn’t just technical, it’s financial, legal, and reputational.

Waiting invites risk. Acting now means choosing a platform that helps you work faster without compromising what matters most.

Final Word: Speed and security go hand in hand

Construction leaders are under pressure to deliver faster and more efficiently than ever before. But the firms that rise to the top will be the ones that pair digital agility with rock-solid protection.

Platforms like KYRO bring both AI-driven speed and enterprise-grade cybersecurity, helping you focus on building the future while not defending the past.

Want to see how KYRO protects your jobsite from cyber threats while accelerating your projects?


Book a free demo today.

Last updated on
July 10, 2025