Cyber-attacks and privacy issues have become a high-profile concern for all industries, frequently dominating the news. Cyber criminals and hackers are a threat to every organisation. Cyber hazards to the construction industry in the United Kingdom include ransomware, phishing, hacking, computer viruses, and more.

Construction companies are constantly gathering data and using cloud applications to handle projects, such as keeping track of their customer base and current, past, and prospective projects, including addresses and payment information. Though storing data in the cloud can be convenient, it can also be difficult, especially when there are questions about who is responsible for security.

The continual war against cyber criminals is one of the most significant difficulties facing the construction industry. There is always a new cyber threat, and cyber thieves are seeking vulnerabilities and loopholes to exploit. Security and operations personnel at British construction companies are under a lot of strain to multitask between managing the company's infrastructure and identifying and preventing cyber assaults.

Furthermore, small and medium-sized organisations (SMEs) are frequently targeted by thieves and hackers because of the data collections held by these businesses, which may be more vulnerable. Cyber criminals will always be chasing sensitive and personal data, regardless of how big or small a company is, making the construction industry an easy target.

The UK Government’s new National Cyber Strategy builds on the growth of the cyber security sector and aims to solidify the UK’s position as a global cyber power. Construction firms must recognise that they are just as vulnerable as businesses in any other industry, as the industry contributes significantly to the UK's gross domestic product (GDP), making it a highly valued target. As a result, the construction industry must adhere to data security regulations. This information must be stored in a systematic manner and kept safe against theft and misuse.

This event will address how decision-makers need to carefully understand and manage their online eco-system to ensure that it consistently has adequate defences in place to protect against varying cyber threats. It will also explore how education, as well as governance on cyber security for employees, can play an essential role in protecting critical functions from being targeted/compromised.

The hazards associated with data and information gathering, acquisition, processing, and storage will rapidly grow as the usage of, and dependence on, information and communication technology accelerates. Platforms, encompassing devices, and supporting software must be secure by default in order to provide full functionality without jeopardising security. This event will explore how the sector can move forward in an ever-increasing digitised world.

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Unable to make the date? All sessions will be recorded and available to watch on demand for 30 days after the event date.