10079155AI to improve the efficiency of IT compliance and cybersecurity in constructionClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UK**Astronome AI Ltd**, a cutting-edge AI company, is partnering with **Caltech Lifts Limited**, a multi-award-winning construction firm, to develop an **AI-driven software to solve IT administration, regulation and compliance challenges** that the construction industry faces: **Prone to cyber-attacks**: According to a report by the UK government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey, **30% of construction companies surveyed experienced a cybersecurity breach in 2020**. This was the second-highest percentage of any UK industry surveyed. **Lack of protection from cyber threats**: A survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Building found that **57% of construction professionals believe** that the industry is **not doing enough** to protect itself from cyber threats, and **83% believe that more needs to be done.** **Risk of huge cyber fines**: The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which enforces data protection regulations in the UK, **fined construction company R.G. Carter £157,000 in 2019 for a data breach** that exposed the personal information of almost 1,000 employees. **Satisfying new regulations:** For example, in 2020, the UK government's Construction Playbook, included a requirement that all suppliers achieve Cyber Essentials certification. This means that any construction company bidding for a public sector construction contract in the UK **must demonstrate compliance with basic IT security standards.** **Increasing need for IT compliance**: According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global construction cybersecurity market is expected to **grow from $5.2 billion in 2020 to $11.4 billion by 2025,** reflecting the increasing importance of IT compliance and cybersecurity in the industry. **The cost of cyber-attacks:** According to a report by the Ponemon Institute, the **average cost of a data breach for UK companies is £2.99 million.** This includes the cost of regulatory fines, lost business, and damage to reputation, among other factors. **Increasing regulatory pressure:** The UK government's Data Protection Act 2018 and the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) have introduced stricter regulations around data protection and privacy. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to **4% of a company's annual global revenue or €20 million,** whichever is **higher.** **Supply chain risks:** Construction companies often rely on a complex network of suppliers and subcontractors, which can increase the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches. A report by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply found that **78% of construction firms had suffered at least one supply chain disruption in the previous 12 months, and 45% had experienced a data breach caused by a supplier.**