The construction industry is a sector that creates employment opportunities for everybody from all backgrounds. A good performance achieved through managing data is one factor that enables the construction industry’s success and development. Unfortunately, data management encounters challenges regarding data safety, due to the implementation of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) (digitalisation). This study sets out to evaluate the effects of risks to data management on the performance of construction projects. This research work used a quantitative methodology and gathered information from different construction professionals in the South African construction industry via a well-structured questionnaire through online platforms. These professionals were quantity surveyors, architects, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers practising for a firm, company, organization, or institution within Gauteng province, South Africa. A random sampling technique was used in this research to ensure that each part and set of individuals had an equivalent possibility of being incorporated into the sample. Of 215 questionnaires sent out, 181 (84.19%) responses were received and used for data analysis. Mean item score (MIS), standard deviation (SD), a non-parametric test, and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the retrieved data. Findings revealed that loss of construction project data, loss of confidential information, company image and reputational harm are among the top three effects that risks to data have on people working in the construction sector. This study concluded that these data management risk effects could be prevented if construction project stakeholders were aware of the different data management risks.

The 4IR or the digital revolution refers to a collective term for a value chain organizational concepts and technologies that together build the Internet of Things, Internet of people, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Internet of Services and the Internet of Energy. While this digital revolution has helped the construction industry to prevent cost and time overruns and enable efficiency and good work’s quality, it also has disadvantages and risks such as cyberattacks and loss of jobs. This study set out to determine the risks associated with data management (cyberattacks) on construction projects in the fourth industrial revolution era. The research study will address the questions of “what are the cyberattacks risk attributed to construction data management in the fourth revolution era?” and “What are the differences in the opinion of respondents concerning the identified cyberattacks?”. This research work used a quantitative method and gathered information from different construction professionals in the South African construction industry precisely in Gauteng province via a well-structured questionnaire through online platforms. These professionals involve quantity surveyors, architects, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers practising under a firm, company, organisation, or institution within the Gauteng province, South Africa. Findings revealed that viruses, hacking, and password cracking are the most frequent risk to data management encountered in the construction industry. It was also indicated that construction project stakeholders need a strong knowledge of how attackers operate to address, avoid, and stop the different risks rising when executing a project. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by highlighting the various risks encountered in managing data in the construction industry which will assist professionals in the industry to pay attention to means of mitigating the identified risks. This will keep stakeholders abreast of how simple negligence from their side can deeply affect the project data thereby affecting project delivery. It was concluded based on findings that construction professionals need to avoid the occurrence of these risks to enhance satisfactory project delivery and protect their project information. The study recommended that all construction project parties require full training sessions on risks to data to prevent any types of intrusion into the company’s information system.

Purpose: Data represents a critical resource that enables construction companies’ success; thus, its management is very important. The purpose of this study is to assess the benefits of construction data risks management (DRM) in the construction industry (CI). Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a quantitative method and collected data from various South African construction professionals with the aid of an e-questionnaire. These professionals involve electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and mechanical, as well as civil engineers involved under a firm, or organisation within the province of Gauteng, South Africa. Standard deviation, mean item score, non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis H test and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the retrieved data. Findings: The findings revealed that DRM enhances project and company data availability, promotes confidentiality and enhances integrity, which are the primary benefits of DRM that enable the success of project delivery. Research limitations/implications: The research was carried out only in the province of Gauteng due to COVID-19 travel limitations. Practical implications: The construction companies will have their data permanently in their possession and no interruption will be seen due to data unavailability, which, in turn, will allow long-term and overall pleasant project outcomes. Originality/value: This study seeks to address the benefits of DRM in the CI to give additional knowledge on risk management within the built environment to promote success in every project.

In the past decade, the fourth industrial revolution has transformed data management in the construction industry, enhancing processes from storage to exchange. However, this digitisation has also led to increased security challenges, particularly cyber‐attacks. This study aims to identify measures to mitigate these threats in construction project data management. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from construction professionals in Gauteng, South Africa, including quantity surveyors, architects and engineers, via a structured online questionnaire. Findings revealed that effective measures against cyber‐attacks include adequate staff training, antivirus software and regular password changes. The study recommends that construction professionals secure their computers and software, as they house critical project data vulnerable to exploitation, even long after project completion. By keeping stakeholders informed about current data security practices, this research encourages the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, despite the risks posed by cyber‐attacks.