Construction leaders double down on technology, Wipfli survey finds

A new Wipfli research report finds construction companies are making technology a higher business priority as they address cybersecurity risks, modernize core systems and improve operational efficiency.

The 2026 state of technology in the construction industry research report, which gathered responses from 308 construction executives and business leaders, highlights an industry that is increasingly investing in technology to strengthen business performance and support growth. More than half of respondents plan to upgrade key technology platforms within the next two years, while cybersecurity remains a pressing concern across the sector.

Cybersecurity remains a top priority

Cybersecurity emerged as one of the report’s most significant findings. Seven in 10 construction executives reported experiencing at least one cybersecurity incident during the past 12 months, prompting many organizations to increase investments in security technologies, network protections and incident response capabilities.

“Construction leaders recognize that optimization of technology is no longer just a secondary back-office consideration. It’s a core business strategy,” said Brad Werner, partner and construction and real estate industry leader at Wipfli. “For decades, contractors treated technology as overhead while the field focused on operations. That era is over. 70% of firms took a cyber hit last year, and margins don’t leave room for guessing. The firms that win the next decade will be the ones that treat their tech stack the way they treat their backlog: As a strategic asset that they manage aggressively and with pace.”

Larger organizations were especially likely to report multiple cybersecurity incidents and expanded security initiatives.

“Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Construction has been an easy target because the industry has underinvested for years while everything else got connected,” Werner said. “A cyber event doesn’t just cost you data. It stops payroll, stalls draws and shakes client confidence. Cybersecurity isn’t just an overhead line item anymore. It’s business continuity, and the resilient firms already know it.”

Technology modernization continues

Construction firms are also investing in modernization efforts across project management, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other business-critical systems.

More than half (54%) of respondents said they plan to add or replace construction project management technology within the next 12 to 24 months. Modernization, scalability and improved integration ranked among the leading reasons for these investments as organizations look to replace aging platforms and create more connected technology environments.

The survey found that 68% of construction firms have established centralized technology standards or governance processes. Adoption was even higher among larger firms, with nearly eight in 10 organizations generating more than $250 million in annual revenue reporting centralized technology governance.

Technology investments are delivering business value

Respondents identified meaningful business benefits from their technology investments, particularly in reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Among those surveyed:

• 34% cited lowering costs as technology’s greatest business opportunity.
• 33% identified streamlining operations and reducing delays as a top benefit.
• 58% reported increasing investments in cybersecurity technologies.
• 68% reported having centralized technology standards or governance processes in place.

Construction leaders also pointed to data analytics as an increasingly valuable tool for improving decision-making, boosting productivity and maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly changing industry.

Download the full report

For additional insights and complete survey findings, download Wipfli’s 2026 state of technology in the construction industry research report.