As a landlord, you collect your clients’ data, and it’s your obligation to protect it from breach. 

But how can you do that?

We are here to help you. Read on to find out what steps you can take to boost your cybersecurity protocols as a responsible landlord.

1. 1. Protect Your Clients’ Privacy

Email can be a big part of how you converse with your clients. Whilst companies such as Google are not permitted to share user information, it can still spread when personalized ads are generated and in some other circumstances.

Set up your own website to communicate with your clients. On top of broadcasting an air of professionalism, having your own domain name will also help to keep the clients’ data safe and secure.

Another thing you can do is invest in a reputable client data management system and limit access to this system to only those employees who need it. 

To add an extra layer of protection, safeguard the password to the system by creating it and storing it in a proper password manager tool.

1. 2. Ensure The Safety Of Your Smart Devices

You may want to upgrade your property with smart systems. Smart home consoles allow controlling functions like the property’s lighting, heating, and much more from an app on their device. 

It’s a very convenient and modern way to manage your property but it’s also a loop for cybercriminals, who use it to access your data.

Since smart features often have an internet connection to enable functionality, it automatically makes them a potential target for hackers. To avoid data leaks and breaches, regularly update your smart devices and protect them with additional measures.

You can do this in a few ways:

• Enable automatic updates or install patches manually;
• Make use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN);
• Have devices password protected.

1. 3. Protect Your Own Identity

It can be easy to forget that any information that can identify your location or preferences needs to be kept safe. 

As a landlord and a business owner, you have to secure your private details from snoopers. To do so, double-check what personal information about you is available online. A good starting point is your social media accounts. 

Social media can display data such as your date of birth, full name, the university where you studied, and much more. Some hackers can use this information to access your personal accounts. 

For instance, they can find an answer to your security question among the information you’ve shared online. This means your clients’ data could also be at risk.

Think carefully about the information visible or accessible to others and remove all the extras.

1. 4. Install Anti-Virus Software

Some computers and other devices come with basic anti-virus software installed. And still, if you regularly use a device for financial transactions and other important functions, upgrading your protection is heavily advised.

Remember, any device with internet capability can be a target. This includes:

• PCs/laptops;
• Tablets;
• Smartphones;
• Smart TVs.

Install reputable anti-virus software for the added layer of security. You may want to try a free trial to see how the system works and if you like the interface and usability and then invest in a paid version.

1. 5. Update Your Operating System and Apps

This may seem like an obvious step, but it’s one that many people often forget. From email to banking apps, hackers find and exploit weaknesses in your software.

As of the OS you’re running, even the onboard security measures will eventually become outdated. This often happens sooner than you’d think.

It can be tempting to keep postponing updates, especially if you feel like you’re always in the middle of something. By doing so, you’re putting your information at risk, as well as your clients’.

Put some time aside and update your OS and the apps you use as soon as possible after you receive the first notification telling you to do so.

Remember, the upgrades developers roll out do not always download automatically. You may have to go into the app yourself and manually install the latest version of the app of the OS you’re using.

1. 6. Stay Vigilant With Your Online Accounts

Make sure your passwords aren’t easy to guess. Whilst many sites may prompt you to choose a secure password, some don’t. Some good advice to creating a strong password is to use:

• Use a mix of upper and lower case letters;
• Include numbers as well as letters;
• Add special characters such as an exclamation mark or a question mark;

Also, avoid using the same password for all of your accounts. Because if hackers can access one of them, they can potentially access them all. Make use of a password manager. 

FBI statistics on internet crime show that in 2021, victims combined to lose over $350 million in the real estate/rental arena. Whilst strong password practices won’t remove your risk altogether, they can help reduce it.

7. Opt For Two-Factor Authentication

This is also known as mutual authentication. It’s when both parties involved in a transaction must validate their identities. A simple example is when a banking app sends you and/or your client a code to input before a transaction.

Another benefit is that some applications notify users if there has been suspicious activity on their account, such as a login from a new device. Don’t ignore these, and check them out to see if anything untoward is happening.

8. Secure Your Finances

Financial transactions are a big part of letting business. Hackers usually know that most of the transactions happen either at the beginning or at the end of each month. They wait for this opportunity to steal your tenants’ money and potentially cause you reputational risks.

To avoid any sort of attack, encrypt your digital data and don’t hold on to any records longer than you’re legally required to.

It’s also a good idea to store the data in the cloud just in case your computer gets compromised.

Your clients will have to trust you if they are to do business with you. Follow the tips above, and you’ll find that both you and your clients will feel much more secure. The more steps you can take to bolster your cybersecurity, the better.