BIM and project data security
Building Information Modelling data is high-value and widely shared. BS EN ISO 19650-5 sets expectations around how it should be protected.
Why cyber security matters in construction
Construction and engineering firms have become a significant cyber target. Project data, drawings, financial records, payment instructions and supply chain credentials all sit in IT systems that were often built for collaboration first and security second.
Three changes are driving the shift in expectations:
- Tier-1 main contractors increasingly require Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus from their subcontractors as a condition of working on their projects.
- Public-sector clients require Cyber Essentials for most central government contracts and an increasing share of local authority and housing association tenders.
- The Building Safety Act 2022 and BS EN ISO 19650-5 raise expectations around how project information is managed and protected across the whole project lifecycle.
Forensic Control works with construction and engineering firms to meet these requirements practically. We focus on what is needed to win contracts and stay compliant, without imposing controls that get in the way of how project teams work.
Common security challenges in construction and engineering
The gaps we see most often in construction firms reflect a sector that has moved fast on collaboration tools but more slowly on security.
Tier-1 contractor requirements
Main contractors increasingly require Cyber Essentials as a precondition of subcontracting. Without it, firms cannot get on the tender list.
Supply chain risk
Long subcontractor chains create cyber risk that flows upward. Each link is a potential entry point for an attacker targeting the project.
Invoice and payment fraud
Construction is one of the most targeted sectors for invoice fraud in the UK. Fake supplier emails and intercepted payment instructions remain common.
Site and mobile devices
Project teams work across multiple sites on laptops, tablets and phones. Endpoint management is harder than in a single-office business.
Cloud collaboration platforms
SharePoint, Procore, Asite, Aconex and similar platforms hold sensitive project data and need secure configuration, not just default settings.
Cyber Essentials for tier-1 and public-sector tenders
For most construction and engineering firms, Cyber Essentials is the most efficient way to demonstrate the security baseline that tier-1 main contractors and public-sector clients now expect. It is the UK government-backed certification, recognised across procurement, and it puts the fundamental controls in place without disrupting how project teams work.
Forensic Control is an authorised IASME Certification Body, not a reseller. We have been delivering Cyber Essentials since 2017, and we work with construction and engineering firms to make certification straightforward:
- Cyber Essentials (Basic). Suitable for firms tendering for contracts where the basic certification is sufficient.
- Cyber Essentials Plus. Required for many tier-1 and public-sector frameworks. Independent technical audit with vulnerability scanning included at no extra cost.
- Cyber Essentials Duo. Basic and Plus combined at a single price point. Often the right choice for firms moving up to larger projects.
We work with firms from sole traders and small practices through to mid-sized contractors. The process is the same: clear, supportive and quick to certify once scope is agreed.
Wider services for construction and engineering
Beyond Cyber Essentials, we support construction firms across the full security and investigations lifecycle.
Penetration testing
Independent technical testing of your systems, applications and infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Vulnerability scanning
Continuous monitoring of your environment for known vulnerabilities, with prioritised remediation guidance. Included with every CE Plus certification.
Incident response
When something goes wrong, we help you contain, investigate and recover, drawing on Metropolitan Police Hi-Tech Crime Unit experience.
Digital forensics
Investigative-grade examination of digital evidence in cases of fraud, dispute or suspected internal wrongdoing.
"Construction firms tell us the same thing: a main contractor or local authority has asked for Cyber Essentials, the tender window is short, and nobody internally has done this before. Our job is to make that certification straightforward and on time, then build from there."
Jonathan Krause
Founder, Forensic Control. Former Metropolitan Police Hi-Tech Crime Unit
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers to the questions construction and engineering firms ask us most often.
Do construction firms need Cyber Essentials to win contracts?
What is the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus for a construction firm?
We use cloud platforms like Procore, Aconex or Asite. How does that affect Cyber Essentials?
What does BS EN ISO 19650-5 mean for our cyber security obligations?
How does the Building Safety Act 2022 affect our cyber security obligations?
Our project teams work across multiple sites. Can we still get Cyber Essentials?
What if we get hit by invoice fraud or a payment scam?
How do JCT contract cyber clauses affect our certification needs?
Speak to a specialist about cyber security for your firm
Whether you are responding to a tier-1 contractor requirement, preparing for a tender, or improving your security after an incident, we can help. Book a short call to talk through where you are and what you need.
