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IT’S TIME FOR HOME
BUILDERS TO GET SERIOUS
ABOUT CYBER SECURITY
The infamous 2013 Target cyber attack, information. And most business-critical information
which saw credit and debit card – like building plans and proposals – is also kept in a
digital format.
information from 40 million consumers So it’s little wonder why a residential construction
exposed, began when hackers gained business might be a target for cyber criminals.
access to the Target payment system “It really is not a matter of if, but when,” said
through an HVAC contractor. Kristen Hilton, CIPP/US, an attorney with Sussman
Shank LLP in Oregon. “And, of course, how much it
With nearly every aspect of the home building
industry moving online and most information stored will cost.”
in digital formats, it’s time for every home builder to Loss of trade secrets, loss of reputation and even
seriously assess their cyber security and potential elicit bank account access are certainly huge concerns
exposure to liability. in a cyber attack. But the liability associated with
exposing others’ personal and sensitive information to
Home builders store and electronically share
a trove of personal and financial data on clients, intrusions is where the real risk lies.
potential clients, vendors, suppliers, partners “There are many state privacy law implications
and more. Some of this data includes payment to storing information containing personal and
16 SEPTEMBER 2018 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
