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DD Web • October 16, 2017
Cyber Security Check-up: How We Protect Your Real Estate Transaction
Did you know? October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and with companies connected to our industry making recent headlines after reporting data breaches (Equifax, Gmail, Verizon and the California Board of Realtors), it’s a good reminder that cyber crime is a growing and ever-changing worldwide problem.
An increased use of technology in our business to manage data and complete real estate transactions means an increase in digital security threats. The more connected we become, the more vulnerabilities and checkpoints exist. Email phishing scams, ransomware and wire transfer fraud and theft are all serious threats when conducting a real estate transaction, and it is our job as a title company to be one step ahead of these ‘scammers.’
Small real estate businesses, agents and their clients are increasingly becoming the targets of sophisticated cyber scammers, according to the National Association of Realtors. In recent months, real estate professionals have reported an upswing in a particular wire scam, where a hacker breaks into an agent’s email account and obtains information about upcoming real estate transactions.
With new threats emerging, now is a good time to evaluate the strength of your company’s cyber security plan. Here are some tips for protecting your network and valuable data, your clients private and financial information — and your reputation.
Use modern software and update it regularly. Any business conducting real estate transactions should be on the latest version of their operating system and automatically apply updates.
Protect your network with advanced firewall security and encrypt sensitive data.
Regularly backup data that is stored on computers and/or networks.
Use secure Wi-Fi networks and avoid public Wi-Fi networks when accessing certain emails and documents.
Use unique passwords and change them frequently. Admin, administrator or the name of your website domain should be avoided as usernames.
Consider implementing multi-factor authentication for access to certain email and online accounts, as well as access to your network through wireless devices.
Use a secure email server and avoid free email services. While cloud and free email services are convenient for business, they are never completely secure.
Set up a procedure with home buyers and sellers in the beginning of a transaction that indicates how funds will be disbursed. Ensure that every party in the real estate transaction knows to communicate changes to funds transfer instructions either in person or through a dedicated phone number.
Educate all employees on your company’s cyber security policies and the importance of verifying wiring instructions; implement a cyber security response plan in the event of a breach.
Despite your magnitude and infrastructure, no business is completely immune from cyber attacks in today’s world. There are, however, effective strategies and precautionary steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk and protect you in the event of an attack. At Novation Title, we take extra measures to protect our clients from any cyber/wire fraud during a real estate transaction. Be careful and BE AWARE!
-The Novation Team
At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!
At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!
Welcome, 2020! We made it through the first week of the New Year and are already excited for what’s to come in this brand new decade. Anything can happen, and we have so much to create! Whether you’re a fan of long-term resolutions or prefer setting smaller, short-term goals, it feels good to start the year off with a desire to change for the better. If you know us, you know our approach at Novation Title has always been goal-centric, not only within our business but in our personal lives and out in the community. In today’s world where we are constantly connected (and distracted), it’s no wonder that we increasingly find ourselves overwhelmed mentally and physically drained. Often, the issues in everyday life are the ones that prevent us from enjoying the very same everyday life! How can we balance this out? We believe we can do better. That is why we are introducing meditation into our workspace. While meditation has been practiced for over 5,000 years, it is increasingly becoming a necessary way for us to unplug from the modern world. But what, exactly, is it? Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique — such as mindfulness — to train attention and thoughts. Mindfulness is awareness, it is a state of peace. It is being in the present moment, intentional and serene. It is the process of being aware of your thoughts while also disconnecting from them so you can connect within. Connecting within is the highest form of intelligence and results in proven mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits. Here are just a few science-based benefits of meditation: Reduces blood pressure Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior Improves immune system Increase in energy levels Lessens stress and anxiety Increases happiness and creativity Clarity and peace of mind Increased memory retention and recall Enhances self-awareness and self-acceptance Each one of us, regardless of gender, age or other factors, undergo daily stress and tension at some level or the other. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce #NovationMeditation into our business and we encourage others to join us this year. We can ALL benefit from improved mental and physical health in 2020. Who’s with us?!
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