MCAA’s The Next Generation of Data Security provides guidance and insight on current tools and techniques to protect your data and operations. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.
The bulletin includes product recommendations and addresses the following topics that are critical to defending your company’s data:
As the world watches the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, we here in the United States are unfortunately not immune from the situation and neither are our businesses.
As President Biden and our western allies level sanctions on Russia, options for cyberwarfare against Russia are being planned and executed against Moscow. Official Russian government websites have already experienced outages and disruptions and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is warning of retaliatory cyber-attacks on U.S. infrastructure and businesses. Now is the time for your business to prepare for this possibility.
Nick Espinosa, MCAA’s Chief Security expert, advises the following steps be taken as soon as possible:
Update all operating systems and defensive technologies within your company (and homes). Any firewalls, Windows/MacOS/iPhone/Android operating systems, Antivirus, Endpoint Detection Response Systems, infrastructure equipment such as wireless access points, and other software should be up brought up to date. The CISA has published a list of the top hardware and software that Russian intelligence tends to exploit. Consider any of these products a top priority for updating:
FortiGate VPNs
Cisco routers
Oracle WebLogic Server
Kibana
Zimbra software
Exim Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
Pulse Secure
Citrix Servers
Microsoft Exchange
VMWare (note: this was a zero-day at time.)
F5 Big-IP
Oracle WebLogic
Microsoft Exchange Servers
Enable Multifactor Authentication wherever possible, including Microsoft Office 365, other cloud logins, backup systems (if possible), financial institutions and anywhere else critical information is stored for your business. Free authenticator apps include Authy, Microsoft, Google and more. Ideally planning for an Identity Management solution is recommended, however given the timeframe of possible attacks, using the free options are significantly better than doing nothing.
Ensure that all computers and devices are accounting for and have your Antivirus or Endpoint Detection Response installed. A computer missing this critical software could become the entry point for an attacker to gain access into your data and network or shut you down.
Double check all backups. Make sure they are current and actually work. Studies have shown that many company miss critical data when they backup. Also, restorations of data need to be tested as well. Finally, having a backup that is ideally in the cloud (or at least off-site) will ensure that if you need to restore data in an emergency you have a safe copy.
Alert all employees of these possibilities and make sure they maintain heightened vigilance and on the lookout for suspicious emails, odd behavior from their computer or devices, unusual slowness of the internet and more. Let them know that it’s important they notify IT or a manager as fast as possible if they suspect a problem. In a cyberattack we want accurate information as much as we can, but what is worse is the employee who experiences a problem and doesn’t say anything. In an emergency, shutting off the possibly infected computer and also the internet will help stop an attack or the spread of an infection.
If your business has next generation firewalls and/or Identity Management solutions, enable as much logging as you can and also enable geo-blocking for all incoming internet traffic except for traffic originating in the USA. This will help immediately drop any foreign internet connections attempt to look at your infrastructure or logins. Make sure to account for any employees that workout from outside of the United States or are traveling abroad at this time.
If your business has industrial control systems, conduct a test of manual controls to ensure that critical functions remain operable if your network is knocked out or known to be compromised.
These seven points are by no means comprehensive to a complete Cybersecurity solution, however these are the most critical points that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
It is important to note that a cyber-attack in which foreign intelligence agencies are involved, tend to not look like the traditional ransomware attacks we hear about in the news. The primary goal for Russian intelligence would be to be as disruptive to infrastructure as possible. They won’t take the time to lock out your data and ask for money. They will simply attempt to either kill your infrastructure, destroy your critical data, or plant dormant infections in your network for later activation and then quickly move on to the next target.
Their first goal, however, is disruption of the overall infrastructure of the United States. In this vein, it is important to note the following could be possible disruptions for your business:
Loss of internet via your Internet Service Provider due to attack on them.
Loss of electricity.
Loss of water and waste water availability.
Loss of traditional communication systems such as telephone lines.
Disruption of satellite services (TV, GPS, Communication etc.)
Disruption or outages of apps and services (i.e., airline/travel apps, credit card machines at local retail stores, video streaming services, financial/banking access etc.)
Disruption of local government services (paying bills, 911 call centers, traffic infrastructure etc.)
MCAA will continue to provide guidance to help safeguard your businesses, and homes from cyber attacks.
Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s Exposed: Keeping Your Data to Yourself After an IT Breach. This resource explains what company executives can do to protect their companies if their website is hacked and defaced, their files are held for ransom, or their Data Center goes offline with no estimate for restoration.
With modern building practices, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and sheet metal contractors must coordinate precisely in their design and building for jobs to be profitable. In Tampa, Florida this week, members from MCAA, NECA and SMACNA extended that collaboration at the MEP Innovation Conference where they came together to learn from each other how new technologies are impacting their businesses.
From left, MCAA Innovative Technologies Committee Chair, Stacy Zerr, talks with MCAA President, Armand Kilijian, on stage at the MEP Innovation conference.
This was the first time all three associations have collaborated on the in-person event. It brought together 450 attendees from the MEP trades to better understand different viewpoints, roles and responsibilities. The benefits of having innovators from across the industry were immediate. MCAA Innovative Technologies Committee Chair Stacy Zerr commented, “At Waldinger, we work all MEP trades and already knew how similar the challenges and solutions are between them. At this conference, I learned just as much from the electrical and sheet metal presentations as I did from the mechanical presenters.”
Sharing insights and team building went further than the presentations. As Travis Voss, Helm Group’s Leader of Innovative Technologies put it, “For years we have brought project managers and estimators from the mechanical and plumbing side to this meeting. This year, we were able to bring in people from across all of our company to learn, cross train and team build. When they attended sessions together, it gave them a better understanding of the process beyond their focus.”
Plans are underway for the 2023 MEP Innovation Conference, and further education is in the works to bridge the gap between conferences. Many of the sessions from the 2022 conference were recorded and will be repackaged into educational videos later this year. These will be released online and available exclusively to MCAA members.
Utilizing Autodesk’s BIM software for fabrication like CADmep, CAMduct and ESTmep, can provide your company with significant productivity improvements, accuracy and coordination gains. To operate with fabrication level precision, it takes precise ITM content that doesn’t come with the software out of the box. Contractors need to create their own catalog of ITM components or work with third-party providers to purchase ITM-managed databases.
In this third and final installment of MCAA’s VDC Webinar Mini-Series, U.S. Engineering’s Director of Virtual Construction, Ryan Frazier, talks about how the company has approached both options and chose to use Trimble Managed Content. U.S. Engineering’s case study examines factors in their decision like cost, manpower, productivity and software integration. Ryan is joined by Seth Greenlund, Product Manager at Trimble, responsible for Trimble Managed Content.
Meet the Webinar Speakers:
Ryan Frazier – Ryan Frazier is the Director of Virtual Construction for U.S. Engineering and has been in the BIM industry for 17 years. Ryan has held various roles from detailing to management and has primarily focused on the MEP trades. In his current role, he oversees all things related to VC at U.S. Engineering, helping guide their team from a strategic and progressive perspective. Ryan is always looking to leverage BIM capabilities from design and coordination to fabrication and installation.
Seth Greenlund – Seth has been in the MEP industry since 2002. He started as a detailer using Autodesk Building Systems and in 2005 moved to Fabrication CADmep, ESTmep and CAMduct. During his time with various contractors, Seth did everything from digging trenches for underground plumbing, estimating, detailing, database management and project management. He moved over to the software side of MEP in 2012 and has worked as a trainer, support manager, content group manager.
Contractors cannot afford to be hindered by old processes in an industry more under pressure than ever to deliver projects on time and on budget.
Dustin Allen of Trimble and Trent Station of J.W. McClenahan discuss the advantages of using cloud-based collaboration tools that allow you to leverage your investment in BIM to streamline Revit prefabrication workflows and make data-driven decisions that boost overall efficiency.
This webinar explores J.W. McClenahan’s journey to a digitally integrated fabrication process with the VDC team. The session explores how they have evolved their VDC projects to utilize Autodesk Revit through Trimble®SysQue® for design and Connect2Fab for fabrication shop integration. Dustin and Trent will demonstrate how enabling accurate, actionable information to flow through your organization will result in enhanced communication, easy status tracking, efficient spool prefabrication and material procurement. The ability to leverage your model throughout your prefabrication and project execution processes is no longer a luxury; it’s a requisite and primary source of competitive advantage.
This webinar was recorded on December 9, 2021.
Don’t forget to register now for the 2022 MEP Innovation Conference, powered by Trimble. This year, MCAA, NECA and SMACNA have teamed up, bringing you over 60 of the most innovative contractors to present January 24-26 live in Tampa, Florida at the Tampa Marriott Water Street.
Meet the Presenters:
Trent Staton, J.W. McClenahan
Trent brings 26 years of experience in process/mechanical and plumbing piping systems construction and detailing; expertise in multiple facets of semiconductor, industrial, healthcare, commercial and pharmaceutical construction. With in-depth knowledge pertaining to design, fabrication, and installation of industrial and commercial MEP systems. Trent is a senior member of J.W. McClenahan’s team, proficient in working with BIM modeling and project coordination tools, he oversees the implementation of software solutions and related construction processes for our company.
Dustin Allen, Trimble
Dustin is a Technical Sales Engineer for VDC Products at Trimble MEP, North America. His mission is to empower contractors with cross-functional workflows across the Trimble MEP product portfolio, specializing in BIM. As an experienced tradesman, project manager, Estimator, and VDC Technology Leader, he leverages real-world experience and expertise to create and improve workflows and processes to benefit the MEP Construction Industry. Dustin lives in Indianapolis, IN, with his wife and five children.
Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s 2021 3D Scanning Technology Research Report. The report assesses various laser, non-laser scanning and photogrammetric hardware and software tools used by mechanical contractors. MCAA members stand to benefit from these and other rapidly evolving technologies that can expedite work, increase precision and prevent mistakes.
In addition to scanning, the MCAA’s Construction Technology Research Series explores tracking, layout, design and fabrication technologies using BIM and other tools.
Innovation comes from hard work, grit and the successes and failures that go along with it. If you are fortunate, you can improve your processes from the trials and errors of your peers. The MEP Innovation Conference, powered by Trimble, has developed into the most in-depth conference on construction technology and innovation.
The conference is now a partnership with MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA and will bring in the best innovators from across the MEP spectrum to Tampa, Florida, January 24-26 2022. With the inclusion of over 65 MEP contractors as presenters, each session will present a case study from your peers on how they integrated the latest tools, technology, hardware, and software.
Registration is exclusive to MCAA/MSCA, NECA, and SMACNA members as well as their union affiliated partners.
Registration is open!
COVID restrictions have limited the capacity of this event and it will sell out fast.
MCAA has developed the most in-depth conference on construction technology and innovation to date. MCAA first launched the Technology Conference for MCAA members back in 2016 as a way to share knowledge and spark ideas and innovation through collaboration, demonstration and peer-to-peer instruction. The event has continued to grow year after year. In 2021, the conference was renamed and pushed further with the inclusion of NECA and SMACNA contractors providing a broader depth of experience. This year, MCAA, NECA and SMACNA have announced a joint partnership, bringing over 60 of the most innovative contractors to present January 24-26 at the 2022 MEP Innovation Conference, powered by Trimble.
Sessions at this year’s conference will be led by the country’s leading mechanical, plumbing, electrical, sheet metal and service contractors. The MEP Conference will provide a comprehensive view of the solutions digitizing our processes, using VDC software, fabricating all trades, coordinating projects with new software and using new tools to improve productivity. Sessions will be geared toward Operations Managers, VDC teams, Project Managers and Fabrication Managers.
Conference registration will be limited due to COVID restrictions. Registration will be open to MCAA/MSCA, NECA and SMACNA members as well as their union affiliated partners. For more information, visit the MEP Innovation Conference Website and register today!
Reunite with your MCAA family and dance the night away with the Spazmatics! Come enjoy all the awesome sounds, styles and way cool dance steps from the 1980’s decade we’d love to forget, but are happy to remember. Complete with skinny ties, fashionable hairstyles, and horn-rimmed glasses, the Spazmatics recapture the best of the worst. Outstanding musicianship combined with creative flair and style makes for an evening of pure energy and entertainment. Don’t miss the Spazmatics at MCAA22’s Opening Party on Sunday, March 17th.
Since 1996, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has presented their annual Industry Partner Award to individuals or organizations who are allied with the electrical construction industry. This year, NECA presented and recognized MCAA with the 2021 NECA Industry Partner Award at their annual Convention in Nashville.
In early 2021, MCAA, NECA and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) joined forces in a strategic alliance agreement to collaborate on issues impacting the construction and maintenance industry on a national and regional level. Through this alliance, the associations conduct joint meetings and share information of mutual interest relating to environmental health and safety, industrial relations, government affairs, innovation and technology. The associations work to develop products and practices to jointly benefit their respective memberships, increase membership awareness of industry issues and more.
Earlier this year, MCAA and NECA also partnered together to put on the 2021 MEP Innovation Conference, held virtually this past April. Registration is already open for the 2022 MEP Innovation Conference held jointly with MCAA, NECA and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) for January 24-26, 2022. This annual event will be held in-person, showcasing the industry-defining innovations being seen across the mechanical, electrical and plumbing contracting industries.
MCAA thanks NECA for this recognition and looks forward to many more years of joint collaboration in order to advance the unionized construction industry.
The Baker Group will host the 2021 MCAA Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE, in Des Moines, Iowa November 8-10. The conference combines a full day facility tour of The Baker Group’s fabrication facility with education and programming on new processes, tools and techniques to improve your productivity and fabrication.
While the conference originally sold out when it first opened, limitations were made based on COVID protocols at the time. With final protocols in place, five additional spaces have been opened to allow for attendees to participate.
The fabrication conference offers a unique experience to attendees – a full look inside the operations of a contractor peer to get some direct insight on how they perform their work. You will learn how The Baker Group expanded their facility in order to improve their fabrication capacity and flexibility so that they can compete on new projects and go after new market segments.
Attendees will also learn how they tie in their VDC operations, the software that allows them to digitize their workflow and leverage that data to improve accuracy and speed. Projects are designed, coordinated and built in-house which allows The Baker Group to work beyond their local jurisdiction with contractors around the country.
For more information, visit the registration page to download the brochure or register.
The MEP Innovation Conference is the year’s best technology conference for MEP contractors. The event is jointly run with MCAA, NECA, SMACNA, PCA and MSCA to provide education specific to contractors from those fields. Each session is led by contractors in order to provide real world case studies of how new and innovative software, tools and technology are changing the industry.
For an up to date schedule and more event info please go to our event website.
Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, service technology, training, and recruiting issues. This is the only industry conference specifically geared to service companies and the unique challenges and issues they face. Also included is an exhibit of products and services that can help you run your business more efficiently. Education sessions will help you make your time, resources, and personnel go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events.
To join the MSCA23 Education Conference wait list:
Email events@mcaa.org and say you would like to join the MSCA23 Wait List
Provide: name, company, email, phone number, and desired hotel reservation nights (check in weekday/date, check out weekday/date)
We will be monitoring the wait list and contacting people as rooms become available
MCAA’s premier event provides you with an opportunity to learn, get involved and renew relationships with fellow MCAA members while enjoying exceptional educational workshops, riveting special sessions, outstanding exhibits, heartwarming major events, and social functions that never fail to amaze and delight. An extensive menu of educational sessions will help you see new possibilities and opportunities in your professional and personal life, and will enrich the quality of both.
