5 Steps Construction Companies Can Take to Prevent Ransomware Attacks
When your schedule is based around deadlines, there is no time to worry about what may be lurking. Because of this, the construction industry is more at risk of ransomware attacks that hold your plans, data, and more hostage until you pay up the big bucks. Even then, there is no guarantee that your files will be returned intact or at all. This is why the best course of action is to prevent any chance of this happening from the start.
INI Solutions specializes in securing businesses just like yours from outside threats. Follow along as we give tips and tricks to keep your business running no matter the cyber threat.
Preventing Ransomware in the Construction Industry
With 73% of ransomware attacks proving successful in 2020, it’s important to have foundations in place to prevent them from happening to you. These can include:
1. Identity Management and Verification
Implementing a system where only those within your organization have access to is key. This is more than just making your data private from the open public. It takes it a step further by allowing access to those within your organization that should have access to certain things, such as Mike from Accounting not having access to the IT data. Each team member has their own logins and access to their respective files. When combined with multi-factor authentication, the chance of someone using a login to break in drops considerably.
2. Making IT Security Basics Common Education
Has your boss ever stepped into your work space to ask you to buy $1000 worth of Visa gift cards with your own money with the promise they’ll pay you back? Of course not, so why would they ask you to do it over email?
This is a typical case of a phishing scam and is just one instance of what team members should be educated in for IT security. Scams such as this often lead to ransomware invading your systems after an employee clicks a link they shouldn’t. Once it’s in, it’s hard to get out so preventative training is key.
3. Back Up, Back Up, And Back Up!
Data being held hostage means little when you have the same exact data backed-up from the morning or night before. Sure, you may lose a couple hours of work but when it comes down to the big picture, that’s easy to do again.
Most Cloud Managed Systems include automatic backups that take place every few hours, just in case of emergency situations like this. Hosting this Cloud system with an external party, such as INI, also increases the level of security by distancing the data from attackers while still providing reliable access to your productivity applications, mission-critical business data and other essential software.
4. Lock ‘Em and Toss ‘Em
Unfortunately, even with all of these practices, ransomware may still break through. When this happens, it’s imperative that your organization moves fast to contain the threat before it begins spreading through the system.
Once the threat has been contained, it must be purged from the system through the eradication process. This includes backing up all files and restoring after in a selective process that allows your team to continue working.
5. Hire Experts To Do It For You
We know how important it is to stay on schedule. If this all seems like a lot of work, it is. Preventing ransomware attacks and eradicating them with minimal damage when they do occur can take a lot of time, money, and resources.
Working with an IT team like Intuitive Networks can change that. Our team is constantly on the attack against virtual threats to your business. From preventative measures to getting your system back to the way it was before, we are there to keep your business running.
Are you ready for security?
Contact us to start your personalized IT journey today.
Best Mobile Apps for Construction Management
Have you heard the old saying, “Measure twice, cut once?” When it comes to construction, accuracy is everything. People have gotten pretty good at building over the last few millennia but there is always the chance of human error in every step of the construction process.
This is where construction management apps come in. Software that has previously been limited to desktops is now accessible through mobile applications that can be used anywhere, anytime. Plans can be viewed and paperwork signed in seconds. Budget reports can be made and stored in a Cloud server for easy access. All of this and so much more is the reality of mobile Construction Management.
With so many apps breaking into the market these days, how do you know what’s best? Don’t worry, we’ve gone through them all and we’ve got favorites! Check out the ones that made the top 5:
5. Procore
From bid building to email marketing, Procore is often the entry program to take construction companies into the digital world. It has many user-friendly features that make transitioning from paper to digital a breeze, including:
- Dashboard to create and manage RFIs
- Individual locations for each project that can be updated with cost, photos, and subcontractor information
- Email marketing and tracking
- Bidding and budget creator
- Mobile drawing management
- And more!
These features are a game-changer for on-site work, but with most cloud-based systems, it is susceptible to outages that can leave your team restricted. Because of this, we give Procore an INI Rank of 4 out of 5 stars.
4. Fieldwire
Fieldwire does exactly as it’s named. It connects your team no matter where they are by providing a platform that makes document sharing and collaboration easy. Other great features include:
- Scheduling and performance tracking
- Task and team management
- Role-specific access
- Interactive and editable drawings
- Cloud-based using Amazon Web Services
- And more!
On the other hand, Fieldwire tends to trend on the pricier side with a base price of $39/per user per month. There are also bumps in the road when it comes to being user-friendly, so we give Fieldwire an INI Rank of 4 out of 5 stars.
3. CoConstruct
CoConstruct brings in many features dedicated to making a big world small. With pricing based on the number of open projects rather than users, it allows everyone on a team to join in. Not to mention these great features:
- Client-facing platform for clear communication
- Budget management system with visibility to clients
- Team and task management
- Subcontractor communication and scheduling
- And more!
There are very few glitches with this software and if there are, the CoConstruct team is easy to contact. Because of this, we give CoConstruct an INI Rank of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
2. Aconex
Aconex is an Oracle-powered software that allows businesses to customize their interface to their specific needs. This level of customization brings the benefits of:
- Controlling documents and how they’re shared
- Drawing management with alterations ability
- Project performance visibility and real-time costs
- Team ownership of projects
- And more!
With all this capability, no wonder we give it an INI Rank of 5 out of 5!
1. Plangrid
We saved our favorite for last! The others listed above are all great options for high-level software management but what makes Plangrid stand out is its focus on team collaboration, as well as:
- Mobile RFI creation and management
- Viewable 3D models on-site
- Automatic Cloud backup that’s accessible on any device
- Version control of drawings with editing capabilities
- Status logs for individual projects that can include images, videos, etc.
- And so much more!
The list of benefits is never-ending. That’s why we are happy to give Plangrid an INI Rank of 5 out of 5 stars.
Want to learn more about Plangrid? Read our latest blog HERE.
What it comes down to.
Each construction management app is as unique as your company. Finding the right fit whittles down to what features your team needs the most and the accessibility it offers. Trying any of the above is a great place to start!
However, if you would like to learn more and discuss which software is the best for you, give us a call. We’re your IT partner, invested in your success. We’ll help you find the right path to propel your business forward.