Engineering companies now find themselves in the role of custodians of a colossal amount of sensitive personal and financial data in addition to blueprints and drawings. From employee records to contracts to project data, the footprint of an engineering company is large and growing. Undoubtedly, that makes them an attractive target for cyber criminals.
Sensitive Data in Engineering Firms
Confidential information handled by engineering firms can take many forms. Employee records can include Social Security numbers, payroll information, and personal contact information. Client files can include everything from proprietary designs and financial agreements to sensitive business information. Even project related data like site layouts, structural drawings, and logistical schedules can be valuable if misappropriated.
The consequences of a data breach may not only be financial in nature. Unauthorized access to this level of data can erode client trust, negatively impact the schedule on critical projects, and even create legal exposures. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important for firms with operations in construction, surveying, and environmental engineering to protect their internal data or client data.
The Rising Cyber Threat
Cybercrimes against engineering and consulting businesses are on the rise and growing increasingly sophisticated in nature. Phishing tactics, ransomware infiltration, and unauthorized access to systems are commonplace ways of gaining access to sensitive information, however, these attacks often rely on human vulnerabilities (employees falling for phishing emails) or gaps in technical defenses to gain access.
Incidents like the Horner & Shifrin, Inc. data breach serve to illustrate the real-world consequences of insufficient data security protection, which resulted in unauthorized individuals gaining access to sensitive employee personal information, including social security numbers. There is no reported loss of client-related data, but the incident illuminates the vulnerabilities of smaller to medium-sized engineering firms' data to targeted attacks.
Why Small and Mid-Sized Firms Are at Risk
Many smaller engineering firms have an inaccurate assumption that cybercriminals are more likely to target larger companies, which is one of the most dangerous assumptions they can have. Smaller firms, by nature, do not possess the many layers of extensive cybersecurity products and infrastructure that large organizations have in place, making them easier targets. Smaller firms also contract to perform work for bigger companies, meaning they could easily be compromised while handling even the most simple and sensitive data that is valuable to the attacker.
The effects of even a small breach can be exponential: loss of employee trust, regulatory investigation, delays with project timelines and completion, and damage to client relations. A breach could even shut down your company if your networks and systems are compromised or encrypted by ransomware or other types of attack.
Best Practices for Data Security
To protect sensitive information, engineering firms should implement a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity:
Data Encryption: Ensure that both employee and client data is encrypted, both at rest and during transmission.
Access Controls: Limit data access to only those who need it, using role-based permissions and multi-factor authentication.
Employee Training: Educate staff about phishing, social engineering, and other cyber threats, emphasizing their role in protecting company data.
Regular Security Audits: Conduct periodic assessments of IT systems to identify vulnerabilities and verify compliance with security policies.
Third-Party Vendor Oversight: Many firms rely on subcontractors or cloud services; ensure these partners adhere to stringent cybersecurity standards.
Incident Response Planning: Develop and test a formal plan for responding to data breaches or system compromises to minimize downtime and losses.
Building a Culture of Cybersecurity
Beyond technical measures, a proactive cybersecurity culture is essential. Leadership must prioritize data protection, allocating resources for IT security and promoting awareness across the organization. Employees should feel responsible for safeguarding data and confident in reporting suspicious activity.
Conclusion
No matter the size of an engineering firm, there are considerable risks associated with cyber incidents involving the data they access. A cyber breach may impact employees, clients, or all business operations. As evidenced by the Horner & Shifrin example, a firm employing best practices for over a hundred years, a strong reputation and established history will not protect a firm without supporting data security policies.
Taking a comprehensive approach to data security investment far surpasses electronic or technical obligation—it is a need for business; protecting sensitive data maintains trust, unit continuity, and resilience against the cyber threats to the engineering sector.
