IT Support for Construction Companies
Construction IT isn't a server in an office — it's a field tablet at a job site in another state, a subcontractor logging into Procore from their phone, and an ERP system that can't go down during payroll week. Get matched with an MSP that understands how construction actually works.
What Makes Construction IT Different
Construction firms have all the IT needs of a professional services firm — plus a distributed field operation that changes locations every few months.
No Fixed Job Site Perimeter
Workers and devices move from site to site. Your IT security can't depend on a fixed office network. Cloud-based MDM, zero-trust access, and cellular connectivity are the baseline — not a VPN to a single office.
Subcontractor Access at Scale
Each project involves dozens of subcontractors who need access to Procore, shared drives, and email. Most construction firms have no systematic process for revoking that access when the project ends — or when a sub is replaced mid-project.
Field Devices and Rugged Hardware
Field-grade tablets (Panasonic Toughbook, Samsung Tab Active, iPad in rugged cases), mobile phones, and GPS-enabled equipment need remote management, automatic backup, and replacement processes. Consumer device policies don't apply here.
High-Value Financial Transactions
Construction involves large ACH and wire payments for materials, subs, and equipment. This makes construction firms a prime target for invoice fraud and BEC attacks. Payment authorization controls and email security are critical.
Project Data Across Platforms
RFIs, submittals, change orders, and as-builts live across Procore, BIM 360, SharePoint, and email. Ensuring project data is accessible, backed up, and properly permissioned across platforms — especially at project closeout — is an ongoing IT challenge.
Owner-Required Cyber Insurance
Public agencies and larger private owners are increasingly requiring GCs and CMs to carry cyber liability insurance with specific control requirements. Your IT provider should be able to support your cyber insurance application and maintain required controls.
Construction Software Stack — IT Considerations
Your IT provider doesn't need to manage these platforms — but they need to know how to secure access to them and integrate them safely.
| Category | Common Platforms | IT / Security Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud (BIM 360), Buildertrend, CoConstruct, CMiC | External user access management (subcontractors, owners, architects); project closeout access revocation; SSO/MFA enforcement; API integration security with ERP and accounting |
| Construction ERP / Accounting | Sage 300 CRE, Viewpoint Vista, Foundation Software, Spectrum, QuickBooks Enterprise for Contractors | On-prem vs. cloud deployment; SQL Server backup and DR critical; payroll processing uptime; job costing data integrity; ransomware is a direct threat to ERP availability |
| Estimating | Sage Estimating, ProEst, STACK, Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift | Proprietary bid data is highly sensitive; estimate files are often unsecured on shared drives; Bluebeam license management; integration with takeoff tools |
| BIM and Design | Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, Trimble SketchUp | Large file workflows (BIM models are 1–10GB+); Autodesk license management; collaboration via Autodesk Docs; GPU workstation management for VDC teams |
| Field Management | PlanGrid, Fieldwire, Raken, HammerTech, iAuditor | Mobile device management for field tablets; offline mode requirements; photo and document sync reliability; site connectivity for real-time updates |
| Drone / Aerial Survey | DroneDeploy, Pix4D, Skycatch, Trimble | Large aerial dataset storage and transfer; FAA Part 107 data requirements; integration with BIM platforms; GPU workstations for photogrammetry processing |
Job Site Connectivity Options
Your IT provider should assess each site and recommend the right solution — not default to "use your phone's hotspot."
📶 LTE/5G Hotspot
Best for short-duration sites or small crews. Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile LTE/5G MiFi. $50–$150/mo per device. Not reliable for large file uploads (BIM models, drone footage) or video calls at scale.
🛰️ Starlink
Best for remote sites with no cellular coverage. $120/mo + hardware. Roam plan allows relocation. Download 100–200 Mbps. Good for video calls and moderate file work. Latency higher than wired.
📡 Temporary ISP Circuit
Best for large sites (12+ months, 50+ workers). Dedicated fiber or cable from local ISP to job trailer. Setup takes 2–6 weeks. Most reliable for high-bandwidth work (BIM, video surveillance, VOIP).
🔌 Job Site Wi-Fi
Rugged outdoor access points (Cisco Meraki, Ubiquiti) mounted on trailers or towers distribute connectivity across the site. Requires backhaul (ISP or Starlink). Allows multiple crews and trades to connect simultaneously.
Security note: Job site Wi-Fi networks should be segmented from the corporate network. Guest subcontractor access should be on a separate SSID with no access to internal file shares or ERP. Your IT provider should configure this from day one — not after an incident.
Top Security Risks for Construction Companies
Construction is increasingly targeted by ransomware and fraud. Here's what your IT provider should be actively defending against.
Ransomware Targeting Construction ERP
Sage 300 CRE, Viewpoint, and Foundation are high-value ransomware targets. When the ERP is down, billing stops, payroll is at risk, and project cash flow halts. Most construction ransomware attacks enter through phishing or unpatched remote access (RDP). Fix: Tested offline backups + MFA on all remote access + EDR on all endpoints
Invoice and Payment Fraud (BEC)
Construction involves constant large payments to subs and suppliers. Attackers compromise email accounts, monitor payment threads, then send fraudulent wire instructions. Average loss per incident exceeds $80,000. Fix: MFA on all email + DMARC enforcement + verbal verification policy for wire changes
Former Subcontractor Access
Subcontractors get access to Procore, SharePoint, and sometimes accounting systems during a project. When the project ends — or when you terminate a sub — that access is rarely revoked promptly. Former subs can retain access to live projects for months. Fix: Formal offboarding process + quarterly external access audit in Procore/M365
Lost or Stolen Field Devices
Field tablets are dropped, stolen from trucks, and left on sites. Without MDM and remote wipe capability, a lost tablet is a data breach — contact lists, project photos, email, and sometimes ERP access. Fix: MDM enrollment (Intune) on all field devices + remote wipe capability + full disk encryption
Bid Data Exposure
Proprietary estimates and bid data are among the most valuable data a contractor has. They're often stored insecurely — shared drives with no access controls, emailed as unencrypted attachments, or left on departing estimators' devices. A competitor or owner's rep getting access to your bid data is a business-ending risk. Fix: Encrypted, access-controlled storage for estimate files + clear offboarding process for estimating staff
Get Matched With a Construction IT Provider
Tell us about your operation. We'll match you with MSPs who have real construction experience — not firms that have never heard of Procore.