Construction

An industry involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure.

Threats & Risks

Natural disasters

Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires can cause significant damage to construction sites, machinery, and equipment, which can lead to project delays and cost overruns.

Fire

Fires can occur due to electrical faults, welding, or other construction-related activities. They can cause damage to property and equipment and also result in injuries and fatalities.

Equipment theft and vandalism

Construction sites are often left unguarded, making them a target for thieves and vandals. Stolen equipment and materials can cause project delays and financial losses.

Power outages

Power outages can occur due to severe weather conditions or other factors, causing work stoppages and project delays.

Water damage

Water damage can occur due to flooding, pipe bursts, or leaks. It can cause damage to property, machinery, and equipment, and also result in project delays.

Environmental hazards

Construction sites may be exposed to hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, or other toxic chemicals that can pose health risks to workers and the environment.

Structural failures

Structural failures due to design flaws, construction defects, or natural disasters can cause injuries and fatalities, as well as project delays and financial losses.

Phishing attacks

Like any other industry, construction companies may fall victim to phishing attacks, where cybercriminals send emails with malicious links or attachments to trick employees into giving up sensitive information.

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware attacks are a growing concern for the construction industry. Hackers can infect a company's computer systems with malware, encrypt important data, and demand a ransom to unlock it.

Supply chain attacks

Construction companies work with a wide variety of suppliers and contractors, and if any of those partners fall victim to a cyber attack, the construction company could be impacted as well.

Intellectual property theft

Construction companies rely heavily on designs, blueprints, and other intellectual property. Cyber criminals could target construction firms to steal these documents and sell them to competitors or use them for other malicious purposes.

Third-party data breaches

Construction companies often share sensitive data with third-party contractors and vendors, increasing the risk of data breaches through these connections.

Insider threats

Employees and contractors with access to sensitive data may accidentally or intentionally misuse it, resulting in data breaches.

Weak passwords

Weak and easily guessable passwords can put sensitive data at risk of being accessed by unauthorized individuals.

Unsecured networks

Construction sites often use wireless networks that may not be adequately secured, creating vulnerabilities for cybercriminals to exploit.

Hardware failures

Hardware failures, such as server crashes, can lead to a loss of critical data and disrupt IT services.

Power outages

Power outages can cause disruptions to IT services, leading to project delays and financial losses.

Natural disasters

Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes can cause significant damage to IT infrastructure, leading to prolonged disruptions in IT services.

Human error

Human error, such as accidental deletion of critical data or misconfiguration of IT systems, can lead to disruptions in IT services and project delays.

Supply chain disruptions

The construction industry relies heavily on supply chains for materials and equipment. Any disruptions to the supply chain, whether due to transportation issues, production delays, or other factors, can cause project delays and cost overruns.

Labor Shortages

The construction industry is highly reliant on skilled labor, and shortages of skilled workers can cause delays and increased costs for projects.

Equipment Failures

Construction equipment can break down unexpectedly, causing delays and safety hazards on the job site. Maintenance and repair issues can also lead to equipment downtime.

Regulatory Compliance

The construction industry is subject to a range of regulations and standards, including environmental regulations, building codes, and safety standards. Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to fines, legal liabilities, and project delays.

Project Management Issues

Poor project management can lead to delays, budget overruns, and quality issues. Construction companies need to have effective project management systems in place to minimize these risks.

Standards Compliance Requirement

Standards	Requirement	Clauses
ISO 45001	Occupational Health & Safety management system	6.1.2.1 – Hazard identification 8.2 Emergency Preparedness and Response
ISO 14001	Environmental Management Standard	8.2 Emergency Preparedness and Response
ISO 50001	Energy Management Standard	2.6.1 Monitoring, Measurement and Analysis