As a growing startup, Buildility recognized the need to strengthen its cybersecurity to protect both its customers and its own operations. With guidance from UCS Cyber Security and Sweden Secure Tech Hub, the company has built stronger routines, upgraded its systems, and gained valuable knowledge to work proactively with security.
Buildility, founded in May 2019, has its roots in building permit documentation, structural drawings, and technical services for the construction industry. Today, the company primarily focuses on digitizing building permit processes and urban development workflows with software development, visualization and drone services.
Natalia Medrano from Buildility explains that, as a growing startup, the company faced limited resources and had its main focus on product development. As a result, cybersecurity did not always receive the attention it required, and the team realized that their routines and hardware were not robust enough to meet today’s threat landscape.
“We wanted to take greater responsibility for both our customers’ and our own data and saw the need to strengthen our security level,” says Medrano.
With support from UCS Cyber Security through Sweden Secure Tech Hub, the company gained valuable knowledge and structure to improve its cybersecurity practices.
Improved routines and new knowledge
Through the collaboration, Buildility received a thorough review of its systems and processes, along with concrete recommendations for improvement. The team implemented new security routines and made strategic choices of hardware and software to strengthen its digital environment.
According to Medrano, the project has been highly valuable – not only leading to upgraded hardware, but also to increased internal competence in cybersecurity. It has provided Buildility with a secure platform for continued growth and a better understanding of how to work proactively with security.
“This became the starting point for a continued and exciting journey in cybersecurity and secure software development, which I explore every day,” Medrano reflects.
Working together for stronger cybersecurity
Henrik Krohn from UCS Cyber Security explains that it was fascinating to work with a smaller company in an expansive phase that demonstrated strong security ambitions. He emphasizes that every company is unique and that it is essential to approach each case with an open mind in order to identify and recommend the most effective measures.
He continues by describing some of the common mistakes companies make in cybersecurity.
“Among small and medium-sized businesses – especially those in a growth phase – a ‘we’ll deal with it later’ mentality is often a problem. It’s completely understandable when the focus is on growth and core operations,” Krohn explains.
He adds that continuity is another challenge. A small but common example, he says, is when companies invest in a good firewall but then forget to keep it updated.
Guidance for small and medium-sized businesses
When asked what advice he would give to other small and medium-sized businesses, Krohn emphasizes the importance of taking action and starting somewhere. He recommends carrying out risk analyses on a regular basis and focusing first on mitigating the most significant risks.
“The key is to get started – it’s better to do something than nothing.”
He also advises against implementing temporary solutions to meet short-term needs, noting that such fixes too often end up becoming permanent.
The collaboration between Buildility and UCS Cyber Security highlights how even small, proactive steps can lead to lasting improvements – strengthening both digital resilience and awareness for the future.
Sweden Secure Tech Hub
Sweden Secure Tech Hub is a national cybersecurity innovation hub that helps small and medium-sized tech companies to create safer digital products and solutions. It is co-funded by the European Union and run in collaboration between Kista Science City, Blue Science Park, Linköping Science Park, Luleå Science Park, Ideon Science Park and Lindholmen Science Park.
Ready to take your company’s cybersecurity to the next level? Reach out to Sweden Secure Tech Hub.
Cyberly
Join Linköping Science Parks cybersecurity network, Cyberly. Read more and sign up.
