Partnering with other organisations keeps the construction sector thriving, as diverse expertise comes together to deliver the best project outcomes. However, there are drawbacks to introducing too many influences into a single blueprint, especially when quality control and permissions are more challenging to execute across businesses.

With critical infrastructure and construction becoming more vulnerable to virtual threats and breaches, oversight is crucial for success. These are six cybersecurity risks construction professionals should keep at the front of their minds when dealing with third-party vendors.

1. Compromised Management Software

Many construction firms have relied on centralised program dashboards since digital transformation became the expectation. Native and cloud platforms are susceptible to compromises if the providing company fails to maintain the software’s security or issue patches. Numerous programs contain the bulk of business-critical information, including bids and proprietary designs. Scheduling, communications and payment platforms could also fail from a single attack.

The chokehold project management software has over a firm is what makes them enticing to cybercriminals. Market analyses suggested an estimated 45% of global organisations would endure an attack on their software supply chain in 2025 — this is three times the amount from 2021. Requiring robust security vetting when investing in software is essential before committing. This could include proof of incident response plans, servicing time frames and cybersecurity questionnaires.

2. Ransomware From Subcontractors

Reports suggest it takes 178 days on average to identify a breach — this does not include the effort required to isolate and recover from the threat. When attacks can come from insider threats, such as contractors and subcontractors, the threats become even more challenging to identify.

Construction firms work with numerous individuals from diverse disciplines and histories, making it impractical to affirm trust in each one, especially given labor shortages. Someone with access to the electrical or HVAC system could introduce ransomware into the system, in addition to in-house architects. In 2025, industrial sectors, including construction, saw ransomware attacks skyrocket 46%, signaling a need for more evolved cybersecurity.

Training employees to be the first line of defense is essential for developing a proactive strategy. Additionally, contractors can undergo required education and thorough background checks before participating in projects. This can establish greater quality control and reduce related problems, like social engineering and insider compromises.

3. Intellectual Property (IP) Theft From Designers

Attackers invest their resources in stealing unique assets from construction firms. This could include novel designs from engineers or builders within building information modeling systems or simulation software. If hackers can extricate these from organisations, they have valuable leverage. Alternatively, they could sell them to competing companies, which would threaten market leadership and reputation, as well as revenue losses.

Limiting access controls can prevent some IP theft. Analysts and IT teams will locate the source of the breach more easily because they have fewer entry points to scrub. Least-privilege permissions, combined with multifactor authentication, require extensive validation before letting anyone access IPs. Teams can regularly review who does and does not have access, including temporary employees, to ensure only relevant construction experts have access.

4. Insecure Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

The IoT has developed a reputation for inadequate cybersecurity, as it is recognised as one of the biggest barriers to the installation of smart buildings. Many of these tools, like drones, cameras and environmental sensors, come from third-party suppliers and manufacturers. They use default credentials that fail to prompt for changes or receive minimal service updates from the maker. Several backdoors make them a straightforward entry point for hackers.

Construction firms can still gain the benefits of the IoT if they segment devices away from critical networks. Isolating vital assets should be common practice. Additionally, using the IoT on the edge can also place professionals closer to the resources, making them simpler to oversee and maintain if a threat looms.

5. Supplier Impersonation and Financial Fraud

Builders and other segments of the workforce could receive an email from a seemingly reputable supplier, but it may actually be a social engineering attack. A brick or lumber vendor could forward false invoices or suspicious links, stealing credentials and navigating through backdoors in the process.

Firms can institute strong contractual obligations with vendors. This could involve demanding specific certifications or audits from organisations such as ISO or adopting NIST standards. The terms may also establish protocol for notifying the company’s stakeholders of potential breaches and assuming liability.

6. Human Resources and Payroll Data Breaches

Fewer departments rely on third-party vendors more than HR and accounting. They leverage outside programs and communicate with external parties constantly, including contracting firms and procurement partners.

Benefits and payroll information contain so much personally identifiable information that is priceless to hackers. Market findings revealed that 35.5% of breaches were caused by third-party vendor compromises, necessitating the development of thorough incident response plans. They should include the following details, including:

• To whom to report if a vendor poses a threat.
• Who is responsible for the different aspects of incident response, such as isolation and remediation.
• What systems need to be separated from primary operations to prevent spread.
• How construction companies will afford and execute recovery.

Building a Stronger Digital Foundation for Supply Chains

Anticipating breaches instead of assuming they can be prevented is the most productive mindset to have when implementing safer third-party management. The number of verticals that are vulnerable continues to increase because hackers and threat actors continually innovate. Novel threats will emerge annually, particularly as the construction sector continues to digitise and implement virtual workflows. Incorporating these strategies is vital for business security in the years to come, demanding urgency from stakeholders.