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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
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?!
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” —William Arthur Ward ‘Tis the season for giving! November officially kicks off the holiday season with America’s favorite foodie holiday — Thanksgiving. It is the month where we are once again reminded of all of the things we are thankful for as we gather with family and friends, stuff ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, and watch (a lot) of football. It’s fitting, then, that November has been dubbed National Gratitude Month here in the United States. Americans are encouraged to ‘practice gratitude’ which goes beyond just feeling thankful, and actively showing gratitude by giving back. While ideally it is something we should be practicing all year long, people are more likely to give more generously during the holiday season than the rest of the year. According to the annual Holiday Giving Survey conducted by Harris Poll, more than 3 in 5 Americans (63%) typically donate to an organization or charitable cause in the last two months of the year (known as giving season). Americans are among the world’s most generous people, ranking No. 4 out of 140 countries. Utah has consistently ranked the most charitable state in the nation, coming in second this year behind Minnesota. Beyond the obvious benefit of helping and enhancing the lives of others, research shows that practicing daily gratitude can enhance our own moods, decrease stress and drastically improve our overall level of wellbeing. On average, grateful people tend to be happier, healthier, more physically fit, have a higher income and have much more satisfying personal and professional relationships. It’s a win-win for everyone! The easiest way to practice gratitude is to say THANK YOU to someone who has helped you or impacted your life in a positive way or spending time with a loved one who may be lonely or going through a difficult time. Your words and your time are often the best gifts! -The Novation Team
Mission accomplished. Or is it? It is common practice for organizations to summarize their goals and objectives in the form of mission and/or vision statements. For many, they come in the form of a typed out statement hung on a wall, easily forgotten about and only reminded of when a crisis strikes. Or they come in the form of a long-winded, regurgitation of thoughts following a midnight-hour ‘breakthrough’ (see Jerry Maguire). While they are often confused for relaying near identical messages, both serve very different purposes. A mission statement describes what a company wants to do now, and a vision statement outlines what a company wants to be in the future. A mission statement guides the day-to-day operations and decision-making of an organization. It helps in tactical planning and “rallying the troops” around a common short to medium-term goal. A vision statement outlines the long-term view of the organization and why it exists. It attracts people — not just internally but also externally — who believe in the vision of the organization. Your mission, then, brings your vision to life. We believe these statements are the lifeblood of our company. They are something we live and breathe by, because as with anything else, our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our reality. We want our reality to reflect the words written on our walls, the words we use to describe who we are and the words our clients attach to our reputation. To us, they are much more than words. Mission: We believe in making an impact and having purpose within our community. Whether we are protecting real estate investments, giving back to our surroundings or creating opportunity and growth for others. We are here to redefine the experience. Vision: To create an experience that our industry has never seen before . To develop individuals to live by their full potential in all areas of life. To have unlimited growth and make an impact in people’s lives for the better. To empower our team members to dream big so together we can make a difference in our world. Impact. Purpose. Growth. Empower. Create. Dream. These are our words, our actions, our reality, and something we are proud to stand by each and every day. Experience the difference!
REDEFINING THE EXPERIENCE
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