Caution: Cyberattacks Targeting Arkansas Construction [Info Sheet]

It's not exaggeration; nor is it fear-mongering.

It's just the truth: The construction industry in Arkansas and elsewhere is under attack.

By cybercriminals. 

We know, because we receive the phone calls from the contractors themselves...

• "I think our payroll system just got hacked and we can't access any employee files"
• "Our supplier says they never got the $$$ wire transfer we sent yesterday"
• "Someone spoofed my email and sent a fake order to our biggest client"

The numbers, too, paint a similar picture.

As we've written about elsewhere, among all industries studied, the construction industry ranked #1 for most ransomware attacks in a 2023 analysis by Nordlocker and #1 for targeted attacks by cybercriminals in a 2023 Reliaquest study. 

More recently, in January 2026, Beazley and Opinion Matters surveyed 3,500 U.S. and global business leaders about their cyber readiness. Of nine sectors studied, the industry designated "commercial property, real estate, and construction" was one of only three "not prepared" industries identified by researchers, along with hospitality and energy/utilities.

Only 74% of construction+ leaders could say they felt their industry was at least "moderately prepared" for cyber risks. By comparison, at 87% apiece, tech and manufacturing showed the highest cyber readiness levels.

Construction Buzz: Connecting With NWA Contractors

TekTrendz recently sponsored a booth at one of Hive Networking's Construction Buzz events. And what an impressive showing it was, as hundreds of construction professionals from around Northwest Arkansas came together in Lowell.

John Paul Hignite, sales representative and IT/cybersecurity consultant at TekTrendz, was there to shake hands, meet area construction leaders, and answer questions about IT, technology, and cybersecurity.

His major objective for the night? To share insights (and, frankly, a friendly, well-meant warning) about cyber risks and the dangers they pose to our community's contractors. John Paul also distributed an info sheet, "Caution: Cyberattacks Targeting Arkansas's Construction Industry," with basic yet eye-opening details about the nature of these threats to NWA's construction firms. 

John Paul Hignite of TekTrendz shares cybersecurity insights with construction professionals at Construction Buzz in Lowell, Arkansas

What did John Paul discuss with these construction professionals?

"You know, construction companies operate on tight schedules, and they usually have more to do than time to do it in," said John Paul. "This usually means technology comes second and is usually done in haste.

"Cybercriminals know this. They know cybersecurity may be an afterthought for contractors.

"And, they exploit that." 

John Paul offered an example: Many construction companies, he said, operate on a free Gmail account because it's cheap, easy to use, and simple to set up. They even send and receive invoices through this Gmail account.

"These generic Gmail accounts usually have little to no security, and are easy to spoof."

But, whew, there's good news. Contractors don't have to be soft targets. 

As the info sheet above attests, there are simple yet solid steps NWA construction companies can take to protect themselves — and fight back against the bad actors bullying their industry. From stronger passwords to turning on multi-factor authentication, cybersecurity starts with foundational safeguards every business should be using.

Here are some additional tips to help you secure your construction business.

"The first step to a strong defense against cybercriminals is to accept the reality that technology isn’t just a necessity — it's a tool that can help you grow faster," John Paul said. "A good website, good project management software, seamless billing — these are all tools that can accelerate growth for contractors. Yet these tools carry hidden risks, too, and protecting your technology and, ultimately, your business from a crippling cyberattack has to be priority #1 for construction firms."  

TekTrendz has years of experience serving Northwest Arkansas's construction sector, specifically.

"We're always happy just to talk," John Paul said. "If you have questions about your cyber defenses, and you just want to talk with someone without pressure to buy anything at all, give us a call. Having a trusted technology partner can not only protect your company's valuable information, but improve the other facets of your digital presence as well."

Need a Cyber Defense Blueprint?

From formidable cybersecurity safeguards to cutting-edge technology solutions, you've got a trusted, experienced, and NWA-local IT partner in TekTrendz. We're here to answer questions, offer guidance, and recommend a path forward for your construction firm. 

Contact us for a free, no-pressure IT and cybersecurity consultation. Real, expert advice — with no strings attached.