About Friels
Since its founding in 1990, Friels (Friel Homes and Friel Construction) has built a solid reputation as a family-run company that values excellence and pays close attention to every detail. Located in Walsall, Friel Homes is a family-run housebuilder. While Friel Construction provides civil engineering and groundwork services throughout the Midlands. From the initial planning to the final product, they oversee every aspect of the process. In addition, several of the major national home builders, Barratts, David Wilson & Lovells, as well as some smaller regional builders, are among its clientele.
Why Cybersecurity matters for Friels
There is a growing area of concern that companies in this sector need to focus on – the high risk of cyber-related crime. This is due to poor cyber defence strategies as a result of rapid digitalisation. Victims of recent cyberattacks include large companies such as Bouygues, Emcor, Saint-Gobain, and BAM, as well as many smaller contractors and suppliers.
You might not believe it, but the information you have is valuable to a criminal regardless of the size and type of your company. They can have a devastating impact on financial margins, the construction programme, business reputation, supply chain relationships and the built asset itself. Therefore, the consequences of poor cyber security should not be underestimated.
Even though construction companies do not hold the same kind of financial information as a bank, they still store valuable information. For example, to commit identity theft or create authentic-looking emails for phishing attacks, cybercriminals may be searching for sensitive employee data such as social security numbers, bank account numbers and payroll information.
Moreover, it’s understandable that smaller and mid-sized firms might approach cyber security with a “We’re only a modest business, it won’t happen to us” mentality. They are hesitant to devote attention, resources, and personnel to what they view as an unlikely threat. However, cybercriminals view construction companies, many of which have significant cash flows, as easy targets.
Navigating the threats
Construction companies are an appealing target for spear phishing due to the extensive use of sub-contractors and suppliers involving large numbers of high-value payments. Spear phishing is when attackers send a targeted email pretending to be from a legitimate organization to trick the construction business into paying money into a criminal’s account. Shockingly, up to 90% of cyber-attacks are phishing attacks according to CISCO’s 2021 Cybersecurity Threat Trends report.
Unfortunately, organizations in every industry are navigating cyber threats and the construction industry is no exception. To ensure construction businesses is protected, it is critical that they implement cybersecurity; and with breaches becoming more common, delaying is not an option.
“METCLOUD have provided a range of IT support services to Friels since 2007. The level of support given to both our head office & remote staff has been consistently excellent. We value the services METCLOUD provide & regard them as integral to our success going forward. METCLOUD have successfully guided us through & managed the process of gaining Cyber Essentials accreditation”
– Dennis Friel
METCLOUD provides clarity and simplicity in cloud services and cybersecurity through next-generation technologies and dedicated experts, allowing you to work safely and efficiently. We recognise the burgeoning value of data security and seamless connectivity to facilitate effective collaboration across any business. METCLOUD’s range of cloud services and cyber security will guarantee that you are protected, defended against, and able to neutralise any attack.
Contact a member of our team today on 0121 227 0730 or email hello@metcloud.com.