Data breaches are becoming a common incidence, which should be a reason for concern for East Lyme rental property owners. When you lease a property, you gather sensitive personal data from your tenants, which may find its way into the hands of identity thieves unless handled correctly. To protect your tenant’s sensitive information in the current computerized environment, you either need advanced IT skills, or you’ll need to consider collaborating with a property management company that does. One way or the other, there are a couple of things you can do to guarantee that your tenant’s personal information stays safe and secure.
1. Use Strong Passwords and Firewalls
Most of the time, the more random your passwords are, the less likely they’ll be hacked. Prevent choosing simple passwords that include words or uncomplicated number sequences (like a phone number). As an alternative, make strong passwords for your Wi-Fi, computers, and cloud storage accounts. Stop accessing tenant data while using unsecured Wi-Fi networks, similar to those regularly found in coffee shops and libraries. Another significant security measure is to enable a firewall on your computer. A firewall can make a strong barrier between hackers and your tenant’s sensitive data. If you are not aware of how to install one, enlist the assistance of an IT professional.
2. Prevent Malware
Together with a firewall, any computer you use to access tenant data needs to have anti-malware software installed on it. Anti-malware software can help prevent hackers and identity thieves from accessing the details they shouldn’t if they get past your firewall. Attackers will attempt to bypass your firewall by sending you links that will download malware onto your hard drive when you click on them. You may not even realize that you did that. Once installed, malware can be very challenging to remove and sometimes requires an expert’s assistance to do so.
3. Take Privacy Seriously
You may require your tenant’s personal data for good reasons, but you need to generate a secure system to guarantee that you don’t accidentally violate their privacy. Preferably, try not to store their social security numbers or credit card information in easy-access locations. Be cautious with any documents that may include your tenant’s personal information, such as phone numbers and addresses, and shred any document you no longer need promptly – never throw documents in the trash. Even one little action of negligence might put you at risk for serious legal liabilities, especially if the privacy breach can be traced back to your information handling practices.
4. Call the Experts
With so much relying on your ability to protect your tenant’s sensitive information, it might be safer and more effective to seek professionals to help. Even though you can organize and manage all of your own security measures, you may find it far more cost-effective to employ a property management company to deliver all of the essential services you want. National property management firms like Real Property Management can deliver high-level security for both you and your tenants. Our information security reaches beyond the steps stated in this section, guaranteeing that your tenant’s personal information remains safe and secure and giving you complete satisfaction.
Do you want to learn more about the superior services that we offer our property owners and tenants? Call Real Property Management Hartford Metro/Greater New London at 860-436-9955, or contact us online today!
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