As a business leader in the real estate space, you know that keeping your company’s and clients’ data safe is of the utmost importance. However, ensuring your organization’s security can be difficult—especially as technology evolves at an ever-increasing pace. Here are three tips to help you elevate your security and keep your data protected.

Conduct a Security Audit of Your Current Systems

Before getting into the tips, we recommend all businesses first conduct a security audit of their current systems. This will help you understand your organization’s vulnerabilities and what steps need to be taken to improve security. Many online resources can help with this process, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.

Some common vulnerabilities you should be looking for include:

• Unpatched software—Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in software that have not been patched. Make sure you regularly update all software, operating systems, and applications.
• Out of date security patches—Many exploits happen because businesses haven’t installed the latest security patches for their software. Install updates as soon as they become available.
• Unsecured networks—Hackers can quickly access your network if it is not adequately secured. Make sure you have a firewall in place and use strong passwords/passphrases.
• Weak passwords—A common way for hackers to access accounts is by guessing weak passwords. Use a password manager to create complex passwords and never use the same password at more than one site.
• No two-factor authentication—Two-factor authentication (also known as two-step verification) is an extra layer of security that requires more than just a username and password to log in. Typically, two-factor authentication involves receiving a code via text message, email, or an app on your phone. This code is then entered along with your username and password to log in.
• Insufficient user training—User education is one of the best ways to prevent a security breach. Make sure your employees know how to spot phishing emails, how to use strong passwords, and what to do if they think they’ve been hacked.

Once you have identified your vulnerabilities, it is essential to implement a layered security approach. This means using multiple layers of security—such as firewalls, antivirus software, and passwords—to protect your systems from different types of attacks. It’s also essential to keep all software up to date and patched, use strong passwords, and enforce strict security protocols among employees.

Tip #1. Install a Solid Firewall To Protect Your Network From Unauthorized Access

We recommend installing a solid firewall to protect your network from unauthorized access. Firewalls are an essential part of any security protocol and can help to prevent attacks from happening in the first place.

There are many different firewalls available on the market, so it’s essential to choose one that is right for your organization’s needs. We recommend talking to a trusted IT advisor about what type of firewall would be best for you.

What will a firewall protect you from?

• Unauthorized access to your network
• Denial of service attacks
• Spyware and malware infections
• Data theft or loss

Tip #2. Have Clear Data Policies and Procedures in Place

Another vital step to protecting your data is having clear data policies and procedures. This includes specifying what type of information is allowed to be stored, how it should be stored, and who is authorized to access it.

You can educate your team on data policies through online training courses or provide them with a copy of your organization’s data policy. It’s also essential to have regular audits of your data to ensure that it is being stored and accessed in accordance with your policies.

It’s also essential to have a plan for what should happen if there is a security breach. This will help you minimize the damage caused by an attack and protect your organization’s data.

A standard plan would include:

• Identifying the cause of the breach—This will help you to determine the source of the attack and what steps need to be taken to prevent it from happening again. There are many kinds of attacks, such as malware infections, phishing scams, and data breaches, so it’s important to know what type of attack you are dealing with.
• Containing the breach—This means taking steps to stop the attack from spreading and protecting your organization’s data. This may include shutting down your network or locking down specific systems.
• Notifying affected parties—This includes notifying employees, customers, or partners who the breach may have impacted. It’s also essential to comply with any legal notification requirements.
• Recovering from the breach—This includes restoring your systems and data to their pre-breach state and ensuring that the damage caused by the attack is minimized.
• Taking steps to prevent future breaches—You will need to take steps to prevent future breaches from happening, such as strengthening your security protocols or installing new software.

Tip #3. Use Technology To Improve Security Posture

Technology can be a huge help to improve your organization’s security posture. There are many platforms and tools available to help you protect your data better.

One such platform is paymints.io. Paymints.io is a white label secure payments platform that helps businesses safely and securely process real estate transactions. With paymints.io, business leaders can rest assured knowing the latest security technology protects their data.

The top benefits of using paymints.io include:

• Secure and Compliant With Real-Time Tracking—With paymints.io, you can be sure that your data is safe and compliant with the latest security standards. The platform includes real-time tracking so you can always keep track of your transactions.
• Ease of Use—Paymints.io is easy to use, making it perfect for businesses of all sizes. You can process payments quickly and easily without worrying about the security of your data.
• Bi-directional Payments—With paymints.io, not only can you accept funds from home buyers, you can also disburse funds back to anyone that is expecting payment from the transaction, with just a couple of clicks!
• White Label Cloud-Based Solution—Paymints.io is a white label cloud-based solution, meaning you can brand it to match your organization’s branding.

Conclusion

It’s essential to take steps to protect your organization’s data from unauthorized access and theft. By following the tips in this article, you can help to improve your organization’s security posture and keep your data safe. If your business needs a secure payment solution, be sure to check out paymints.io. For more information, schedule a demo of the paymints.io platform today.