Today, most of our business and planning takes place online. Technology has advanced to the point where much of our personal and financial information is shared through online platforms. This usually makes buying, selling, and communicating a breeze.
However, there are increasingly bigger and smarter threats to the online business world. The past couple of years has seen a steep incline in internet use due to people working from home or switching to online communication instead of in-person. As online attackers become smarter, it is becoming more and more vital that internet users be informed.
So, what is the importance of cybersecurity in the construction industry?
Cyber Security Risks In Construction
Here at Diversified Interiors, we are well-acquainted with cyberthreats. Any company that conducts business online, whether big or small, is subject to attacks from scammers.
What kinds of cyberattacks do construction companies face on a daily basis?
Online attackers use a variety of schemes to try to steal information and assets. Our team, like most businesses, conducts business and makes online purchases daily and must use vigilance to avoid accessing a fake website. False websites may look very similar to trusted ones like Amazon, Walmart, or even our trusted clients and vendors. These websites may ask to verify financial information in order to obtain customer credit card or banking credentials. This is why cybersecurity plays such an important role in protecting Diversified Interiors and anyone we do business with.
Another threat posed to cyber security in the construction industry takes the form of fake emails. A member of our team or a client of ours may receive an email that appears to be from a trusted company, but is really a scammer. These are commonly referred to as phishing emails. Phishing emails often contain links to dangerous websites, or they may ask for personal information like social security numbers, credit cards, or phone numbers.
What makes these emails especially threatening? If a malicious link is clicked on, the attacker may get access to all of the private information stored on the computer or mobile device.
For many businesses, online infiltration like this means being shut down for months, or even permanently. It can quickly become a big liability for a company if the private information they store is stolen. Cybersecurity in the construction industry means protection for not only the company, but for their trusting clients.
To be a company worthy of trust, it is vital to maintain strict cybersecurity.
Protecting Yourself From Cyber Attacks
How can you protect yourself through cybersecurity in the construction industry?
When communicating with businesses through email, trust your gut. If the email is unexpected or seems suspicious, before you click on any links, take a few moments to ask yourself:
- Does the email address match the address I typically correspond with in this company?
- Is the website URL an exact match to the website I know I can trust?
- Did this email come unexpectedly?
- Am I being asked to provide private information or click on a link?
When reviewing an email that appears to be from Diversified Interiors, always check the domain name and email address. Does the email address match the address from previous correspondence from us? Our website’s URL is https://diversifiedinteriors.com. A scam website may use a very similar looking URL or replace “.com” with “.org” or “.net.” If you are concerned about an email you’ve received that appears to be from Diversified Interiors, you are always welcome to contact us directly through our website and we will be happy to take a look.
Online threats go beyond the world of cybersecurity in the construction industry. When conducting business of any kind online, always check that the website is secure. How can you do this? Carefully inspect the URL and make sure that:
- If you are returning to a familiar website, the URL must be an exact match, including the domain (“.com,” “.org”).
- The beginning of each URL should contain the letters “https.” If the “s” is excluded, you may be on an insecure website. Remember that the “s” in “https” stands for “secure.”
Remember that cyberattackers use a variety of methods to steal information and assets online. That’s why Diversified Interiors takes cybersecurity so seriously. We care about protecting the private information of our clients, and about continuing the excellent work we do with confidence.
How Diversified Interiors Protects Our Clients and Our Work
To protect our work and our clients, Diversified Interiors takes serious measures to keep our online business safe. We have an IT department that has implemented electronic monitoring. This monitoring scans through our incoming and outgoing emails, website traffic, and wi-fi traffic. The computers and mobile devices of our team are included in this monitoring.
To help our team protect against infiltrators, the majority of fake emails and websites are caught in our online “safety net.” A list of fake emails, websites, and phone numbers is kept on an internet platform, automatically blocking us from seeing or interacting with them. The important work of our IT department helps us keep our focus on the real deal — you, our clients.
Cybersecurity is important. It keeps online correspondence safe, and protects valuable assets and information. Our team and online business is kept up-to-date on the latest security measures and technology.