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With more businesses moving to a digital model, data, software and personal information are increasingly becoming exposed to online hackers. The REA Group has released a real-world security guide to help protect Australia’s real estate industry from cyber crime.
The guide aims to educate real estate agents about the risks they face when operating online and provides information on how to protect their business from a number of common security threats.
It has been reproduced in collaboration with the Australian Government’s Stay Smart Online initiative.
REA Group chief information security officer Craig Templeton said that the potential for security problems online is massive and involves many interdependent moving parts.
“Cyber crime has no boundaries on the internet,” the chief said.
“We’re operating in the same online environment as our customers, so the risks that affect us can also affect them.”
But he also said that there is plenty that can be done to stay free of being attacked.
“We want to help educate our customers about some of the risks they face online and provide them with some simple actions they can take to protect their business today,” Mr Templeton said.
“By putting the right processes in place to protect ourselves and our customers from cyber crime, we’re also protecting the wider real estate industry.”
Here are REA Group’s 5 key ways to protect yourself and your business
1. Create good passphrases for all online accounts and enable two-step verification (when available) for additional protection.
2. Have staff understand the importance of privacy and how to spot suspicious emails.
3. Make sure your website has a padlock symbol in your browser address bar and "https" at the start of the website address.
4. Keep your software up-to-date and back up your data to a separate location.
5. Protect mobile devices with pins and avoid conducting sensitive activities on public Wi-Fi hotspots.
REA Group’s Small Business Security Guide for Australian Real Estate Agents is now available for download.
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