Most construction IT teams work hard to secure what they can see.
Firewalls are tuned. Antivirus is deployed. MFA is enforced at the perimeter. On paper, everything looks solid—until an incident reveals that the real problem wasn’t at the edge at all.
It was hidden in the gaps.
When Security Fails Quietly
This week, a major cybersecurity story underscored that exact risk.
A newly disclosed Microsoft Copilot vulnerability demonstrated how attackers could potentially silently exfiltrate sensitive data through AI prompts, without users realizing anything was wrong. No malware. No ransomware. No obvious red flags.
Just data leaving the environment—quietly.
That’s a wake-up call for every organization using AI tools connected to business-critical systems. And it’s especially relevant for construction companies.
AI Expands the Attack Surface—Whether You’re Ready or Not
AI tools like Copilot don’t live in isolation. They’re deeply integrated into platforms construction companies already rely on every day:
- Microsoft Teams
- SharePoint
- OneDrive
- Outlook
- Project and financial documentation
That means Copilot doesn’t just “assist with work.” It can access, summarize, and surface data based on existing permissions—permissions that often haven’t been reviewed in years.
The question isn’t whether AI is powerful.
The real question is: Do you actually know what it can see?
The Construction-Specific Risk
Construction organizations manage some of the most sensitive and valuable data in any industry:
- Project bids and estimates
- Contracts and legal documentation
- Financials and change orders
- Proprietary designs and drawings
- Joint-venture and subcontractor information
Over time, access sprawl happens. Teams change. Projects close. Vendors come and go. Permissions accumulate.
Now introduce AI.
If Copilot can “see” more than it should, it can inadvertently expose:
- Confidential bid data
- Sensitive financial details
- Proprietary designs
- Information intended only for executives or legal teams
And it may do so without triggering traditional security alerts.
That’s the hidden cost of IT blind spots.
Visibility Comes Before Control
You can’t protect what you don’t understand.
You can’t govern what you can’t see.
And you can’t secure AI by relying on yesterday’s security model.
This is where many construction IT strategies fall short. They’re designed to stop known threats, not surface unknown exposure.
How Divergys Helps Construction Companies Get Ahead of AI Risk
At Divergys, we help construction companies answer the hard questions before AI creates problems.
Our Copilot Readiness Assessment (just $499) is designed specifically to:
- Identify AI-related security and data exposure risks
- Analyze Microsoft 365 permissions and data visibility
- Highlight where Copilot could surface sensitive information
- Provide a clear, actionable plan to reduce risk and regain control
This isn’t about blocking innovation. It’s about deploying AI responsibly, with confidence and visibility.
Don’t Wait for a Reminder
Cybersecurity incidents don’t always announce themselves loudly anymore. Increasingly, the most damaging threats operate quietly, exploiting blind spots rather than breaking down doors.
You can’t control what you can’t see—but you can choose to look.
If a quick conversation about AI readiness in construction would be helpful, we would be happy to connect.
