The construction industry has historically been slow to adopt digital transformation compared to other sectors. But with more contractors moving their operations to the cloud, implementing connected jobsite technology, and managing complex financial data digitally, cybersecurity has become a mission-critical concern. Cyberattacks are no longer limited to financial institutions or tech firms—construction companies of all sizes are now prime targets.
From detailed financial records to employee information and subcontractor contracts, construction firms maintain sensitive data that hackers can exploit. Additionally, proprietary designs, bidding documents, and project plans carry immense value. A breach could expose trade secrets, put clients at risk, and cause lasting reputational damage.
Ransomware attacks—where cybercriminals lock down files, servers, or entire systems until a ransom/payment is made—are increasingly targeting construction firms. Why? Downtime on active projects is incredibly costly, and attackers know contractors are under pressure to keep projects moving. Paying a ransom can feel like the only option, but prevention and preparation (i.e., server patching, email filtering and phishing training, enabling MFA) are far more effective.
Project managers, estimators, and field supervisors and superintendents frequently access data on laptops, tablets, and smartphones from job sites. According to AGC’s 2025 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook, 69% of companies reported using mobile technology for logging daily reports, 53% for sharing drawings, photos, and documents, and 54% use mobile technology to track employee time—all from the field. Without strong security, these entry points can be exploited. Construction companies that don’t invest in mobile security put themselves at greater risk of a breach.
Owners and developers increasingly require proof of strong cybersecurity measures before awarding contracts. Losing out on a project because of weak IT infrastructure can hurt revenue and brand trust. Navigating and complying with a patchwork of federal, state, and contractual obligations, such as HIPAA (when dealing with healthcare clients) or PCI (for those that directly process payment card transactions possibly for small jobs, deposits, or rental payments from clients or subcontractors), is essential not only for legal protection, but also for maintaining eligibility for future projects and safeguarding sensitive client information.
Smaller and mid-sized construction businesses often believe they’re too small to be targeted. In reality, cybercriminals often focus on companies with fewer protections in place. Limited IT budgets, reliance on outdated software, and multiple disparate systems create easy opportunities for attackers. A single incident, whether it’s payroll data theft, fraudulent wire transfers, or ransomware, can set projects back months and result in significant financial losses.
While many ERP and financial management solutions offer digital convenience, not all provide the level of security construction companies need. Sage Intacct Construction, built on a secure, cloud-native foundation, helps contractors strengthen their cybersecurity while managing day-to-day operations—from the job site to the back office.
Sage Intacct is hosted on secure data centers worldwide, with an average availability of over 99.9%, ensuring comprehensive data recovery. It uses encryption both in transit and at rest, ensuring that sensitive financial and operational data stays protected from unauthorized users.
Construction firms often work with multiple stakeholders—from accountants to project managers to subcontractors. Sage Intacct Construction allows administrators to set role-based permissions (i.e., business users, employee users, project managers, construction managers), so employees only access the information they need. This limits exposure if an account is ever compromised.
Sage Intacct Construction also integrates seamlessly with Sage Construction Management, an end-to-end project management solution that supports everything from estimating and bidding to project tracking and invoicing. Within Sage Construction Management, the TeamLink Portal enables external stakeholders (clients, subcontractors, and architects) to securely collaborate with the project team and access relevant project information, all without divulging the organization’s core financial data or internal systems.
Unexpected system failures or breaches don’t have to bring your business to a halt. Sage Intacct performs transaction log backups every 30 minutes and daily system-wide backups to tape and an off-site location. In addition, transaction backups are sent to the disaster recovery data center every two to four hours, giving you peace of mind that your project and financial data won’t be lost.
Unlike on-premises systems that require manual patching, Sage Intacct is automatically updated four times a year with the latest security enhancements. This simplifies your infrastructure and provides worry-free hosting, backups, and data security. This guarantees organizations always run on the most secure version, limiting business disruptions and added IT burden.
Compliance is non-negotiable for contractors working on government projects or large-scale developments. Sage Intacct complies with several regulatory requirements and other compliance standards (e.g., SSAE 18 (SOC1 and SOC2), PCI, HIPAA, DPF/GDPR, IS27001, etc.), reducing the risk of losing bids due to weak security infrastructure.
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a business-critical priority that affects financial performance, client relationships, and long-term growth. For construction companies navigating tight deadlines, competitive bids, and high-stakes projects, the cost of a data breach can be devastating.
By adopting a secure, cloud-based financial management solution like Sage Intacct Construction, contractors streamline their operations and solidify their defenses against cyber threats. In an industry where trust and reliability are paramount, having confidence in your technology is a competitive advantage.
Reviewed by James Ruffin, CPA, CISA, Senior Manager at RKL’s IS Assurance Practice. He performs financial statement audits for SEC registrants and non-public clients in a variety of industries. As a member of the Information Security Assurance Department, he is responsible for leading IT general control risk assessments and System and Organization Control (“SOC”) audits (SOC 1® and SOC 2®; Type 1 and Type 2) to a varied client base.