How to Protect Your Tenant’s Private Information

Data breaches have become a typical situation, which should be a cause for Chatsworth rental property owners’ concern. When you lease a property, you obtain 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 today’s digital world, you either need advanced IT skills, or you’ll need to consider engaging 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

Generally, the more random your passwords are, the less likely they’ll be hacked. Stop using simple passwords that include words or basic number sequences (like a phone number). As an alternative, use strong passwords for your Wi-Fi, computers, and cloud storage accounts. Refrain from accessing tenant data while using unsecured Wi-Fi networks, similar to those regularly used in coffee shops and libraries. Another imperative 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 have no idea how to install one, request 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 block hackers and identity thieves from accessing the details they shouldn’t reach if they get past your firewall. Online 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 exceptionally hard to remove and often require specialist help.

3.   Take Privacy Seriously

You may require your tenant’s personal data for good reasons, but you need to develop a secure system to ensure that you don’t accidentally violate their privacy. Rather, don’t ever place their social security numbers or credit card information in locations that are easy to see. Be very careful with any documents that may include your tenant’s personal information, including phone numbers and addresses, and shred any document you no longer need right away – never throw documents in the trash. Even one minor action of negligence might put you at 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 capability to protect your tenant’s sensitive information, it might be wiser and more practical to seek professionals to help. While you can organize and manage all of your own security measures, you may find it far more cost-effective to work with a property management company to fulfill all of the essential services you want. National property management firms like Real Property Management have the ability to serve high-level security for both you and your tenants. Our information security reaches beyond the steps stated in this article, guaranteeing that your tenant’s personal information remains safe and secure and giving you total satisfaction.

Do you want to learn more about the high-quality services that we offer our property owners and tenants? Call Real Property Management West San Fernando Valley at 818-727-0100, or contact us online today!