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Published on January 27, 2025

Protect Your Data with Real Estate Software Security Solutions

Discover how to protect your brokerage with real estate software security best practices. Learn about AccountTECH’s advanced tools to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance.

With sensitive data at the core of your operations, protecting your business maintains the trust your business depends on. For real estate brokerages, the stakes are even higher. Handling sensitive client information, financial records, and critical transaction data makes the industry a prime target for hackers. Beyond the economic repercussions of a breach, the damage to your reputation and client trust can be irreversible.

At AccountTECH, we understand the importance of safeguarding your operations. That’s why tools like darwin and Shaker are equipped with industry-leading security features to ensure your brokerage remains compliant and secure.

The Critical Importance of Data Security in Real Estate

Real estate brokerages handle some of the most sensitive data in any industry: client personal information, transaction records, financial agreements, and more. This wealth of valuable information makes the sector a prime target for cybercriminals. Data breaches don’t just harm your bottom line; they jeopardize your clients' trust in you, and recovering from that can be a monumental challenge.

The Consequences of a Security Breach

The repercussions of a security breach in real estate extend far beyond financial losses. Clients entrust brokerages with confidential data, from Social Security numbers to banking details, expecting that information to be protected. A breach doesn’t just expose them to potential fraud; it also puts your brokerage’s reputation on the line. Studies reveal that over 60% of small businesses fail within six months of a cyberattack—a stark reminder of what’s at stake.

In addition to external threats like phishing scams and ransomware, brokerages also face risks from within. Human errors, such as sending sensitive documents to the wrong recipient or using weak passwords, can inadvertently create vulnerabilities. While unintentional, these mistakes are costly and can undermine even the most sophisticated systems.

Why Real Estate Brokerages Are a Prime Target

The real estate industry’s reliance on digital platforms has only increased its appeal to cyber criminals. Because transactions often involve large sums of money and multiple stakeholders, attackers see an opportunity to exploit weaknesses in communication channels, payment systems, and client data repositories.

AccountTECH promotional banner featuring a financial dashboard with graphs and statistics. Text reads: 'Real Estate Accounting for Brokerages, Franchises, & Real Estate Agents' with bullet points highlighting features such as Accounting, Reporting, Integrations, Cloud, and Security. A green button labeled 'Get Started' is included.

AccountTECH’s Advanced Security Features for Real Estate

At AccountTECH, protecting your brokerage’s sensitive data is more than a priority—it’s a foundational principle. Tools like darwin and Shaker are equipped with advanced security features designed to address the unique challenges of the real estate industry. By combining cutting-edge technology with real-world applications, these platforms provide robust protection tailored to your needs.

Protecting Your Data with Cloud-Based Security

Data security begins with where and how information is stored. Darwin and Shaker utilize encrypted cloud-based systems to ensure that all data, whether in transit or at rest, is protected against unauthorized access. This encryption renders your data unreadable to anyone without the appropriate credentials, safeguarding it even in a network breach.

Real-time monitoring adds another layer of defense. Both platforms actively track and log access attempts, flagging unusual activity before it becomes a more significant issue. This proactive approach minimizes risk and keeps your operations running smoothly.

Ensuring Safe Data Transfers with Secure Integrations

Brokerages often rely on multiple systems, such as MLS databases and CRM tools. Each integration represents a potential vulnerability, but with AccountTECH’s secure API-level integrations, your data remains protected throughout every connection. These seamless integrations allow your team to streamline operations without exposing sensitive information to unnecessary risks.

Streamlining Compliance with Automated Security Tools

Staying compliant with industry regulations is complex, often involving managing detailed audit trails, tax reports, and transaction records. AccountTECH simplifies this process with automated compliance features. Darwin tracks and documents every transaction, creating a complete and secure audit trail that can be accessed and shared as needed. Shake ensures that all client communications are logged and protected, enhancing transparency and accountability.

Proactive Security Tips for Real Estate Brokers

Implementing secure software like darwin and Shaker is only part of safeguarding your brokerage. Brokers must also adopt proactive practices that address common vulnerabilities to build a comprehensive defense against cyber threats.

Keep Your Software Up-to-Date

Keeping your software current is one simple yet effective way to enhance security. Updates frequently include patches for vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. By scheduling regular updates for tools like darwin and Shaker, brokerages can ensure their systems are equipped with the latest defenses. Automated update scheduling can help avoid disruptions while keeping your security airtight.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Passwords alone are no longer sufficient to protect sensitive data. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification form, such as a one-time code sent to a trusted device. Implementing MFA across your brokerage's platforms significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if passwords are compromised.

Conduct Regular Security Audits

A periodic review of your brokerage's systems is essential to identify vulnerabilities and potential gaps in compliance. Security audits help detect weak points and ensure your data protection strategies are aligned with evolving threats. With darwin’s built-in audit trail tools, brokerages can maintain visibility over user activities and respond swiftly to irregularities.

Train Your Team on Cybersecurity

Human error remains one of the leading causes of data breaches. Educating your team on recognizing phishing attempts, creating strong passwords, and practicing safe online behavior is vital. Simple workshops and ongoing reminders can transform your team into the first line of defense against cyber threats.

Back-Up Your Data

Data backups are an insurance policy against breaches and technical failures. By automating daily backups with darwin’s cloud storage, brokerages can ensure that critical information remains accessible and recoverable, minimizing downtime and preventing data loss.

Taking these steps enhances your brokerage’s security, builds client trust, and ensures industry regulation compliance. Combined with darwin and Shaker's robust security features, these best practices create a powerful shield against cyber threats.

How AccountTECH Safeguards Your Data

At AccountTECH, we understand that data security isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about protecting the trust your clients place in you. That’s why our tools, darwin and Shaker, are designed with advanced security measures that address the unique challenges of the real estate industry.

25 Years of Trusted Security at AccountTECH

With over 25 years of experience in real estate accounting software and back-office solutions, AccountTECH has consistently prioritized security. From our early days as a provider of traditional accounting services to our evolution into a technology-driven platform, we’ve kept data protection at the forefront of our mission.

Tailored Security Solutions for Real Estate Challenges

The complexity of real estate transactions demands tailored solutions. Darwin and Shaker have features like encrypted cloud storage, secure API integrations, and automated compliance tools. These aren’t generic add-ons; they’re specifically designed to address the daily risks and demands brokerages face.

For example, darwin’s real-time data synchronization ensures that sensitive client information remains secure while accessible to authorized users across multiple locations. Meanwhile, Shaker’s secure task automation and communication tools protect client interactions from external threats.

Staying Ahead with Proactive Security Updates

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and so are the threats it presents. That’s why we stay ahead with proactive updates and real-time monitoring. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to refine and enhance our security features, ensuring that your brokerage has the tools to prevent breaches before they happen.

Ongoing Support for Your Security Needs

Even the most robust systems benefit from expert guidance. AccountTECH provides ongoing support to help your brokerage navigate the complexities of data security. Whether it’s assisting with integration, providing training for your team, or responding to a security concern, our team is here to ensure your operations remain secure.

Cloud-based security illustration showing a cloud connected to laptops with lock icons, symbolizing secure real estate software solutions from AccountTECH.

Your Brokerage’s Future Depends on Data Security

By choosing AccountTECH, you’re not just investing in a real estate accounting software solution—you’re partnering with a company committed to protecting your brokerage’s future.

In today’s digital landscape, data security is no longer optional for real estate brokerages—it’s essential. With sensitive client information and high-stakes transactions at the core of your operations, protecting your data is critical to maintaining trust, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding your business’s reputation.

AccountTECH’s tools, darwin and Shaker, are designed to meet the unique security challenges of the real estate industry. From encrypted cloud storage and secure integrations to automated compliance tools, these platforms provide the robust protection brokerages needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world. Coupled with proactive measures like software updates, multi-factor authentication, and team training, these solutions form a comprehensive defense against evolving cyber threats.

Don’t let data breaches or security gaps jeopardize your brokerage’s success. By prioritizing data security, you protect your business, strengthen client relationships, and position your brokerage as a trusted leader in the industry. Schedule a personalized demo today!

About AccountTECH

For over 25 years, AccountTECH's team of real estate accountants and software engineers have been building tools that increase the efficiency of brokerages. Their latest flagship product is darwin.Cloud - a 4th generation evolution of their popular back office accounting software.The team is constantly adding automation and integrations towards the goal of single-point-of-entry. Their motto is: data entry can happen anywhere, but everything winds up in darwin. In their work with clients, partners, and each other, they bring integrity to every interaction and every line of code.

 

AccountTECH (978) 947-3600

 

For sales inquiries, please contact:  
Theresa Hurt -  theresa@accounttech.com   
(978) 710-0071

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