When it comes to protecting your property management firm from cyberthreats, the basics still matter. A lot. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report, 82% of breaches involved cloud-stored data—and most could have been prevented with foundational safeguards.
That’s where cyber hygiene comes in. Think of it as your operation’s version of daily property maintenance. It’s not glamorous, but if you skip it, you’re asking for trouble.
For Salt Lake City property managers looking for reliable managed IT services, here are four cyber hygiene essentials that should be part of your everyday operations.
Keep Your Network Secure
Your tenant portals, VoIP systems, and rent roll reports all depend on a secure network. Without the right protections, you’re leaving the door wide open to hackers.
- Encrypt tenant and financial data
- Use a strong firewall to block unauthorized access
- Hide your WiFi network name (SSID) and password-protect your router
- Require remote teams and maintenance staff to connect via a secure VPN
At Qual IT, our IT security services for Salt Lake City property management companies help lock down your systems so compliance audits never catch you off guard.
Teach Your Team How to Stay Protected
Human error is still the #1 cause of cyber breaches. Leasing agents, vendors, and even office staff can unknowingly create gaps in your security.
Set clear policies around:
- Strong passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA)
- Internet usage guidelines
- How to handle tenant and owner data securely
- Spotting phishing emails before they cause damage
Our IT support services include employee training and phishing simulations, designed specifically for property management teams juggling Yardi, AppFolio, and Buildium.
Back Up Your Critical Data
Imagine losing your rent roll, compliance records, or work order history right in the middle of leasing season. Without proper backups, a ransomware attack or system crash could paralyze your operations.
That’s why every Salt Lake City property management firm needs automatic, cloud-based backups tested regularly for recovery. This protects:
- Lease agreements and financial documents
- Tenant portals and communication logs
- Maintenance tickets and vendor contracts
Qual IT’s managed services ensure your backups run automatically—so you can focus on tenants, not tech failures.
Limit Data Access
The fewer people with access, the safer your systems remain.
- Only grant staff access to the data they truly need
- Restrict admin privileges to trusted personnel
- Remove former employees from your systems immediately
- Regularly audit permissions across your platforms
This is one of the simplest yet most overlooked IT security measures. Done right, it keeps your sensitive data locked away, even if a breach occurs.
Security Is Worth the Effort
Yes, it can feel like a hassle to enforce strong cyber hygiene. But compared to the cost of lost tenants, angry owners, or failed compliance audits, the investment is small.
Property managers in Salt Lake City juggle enough fires every day. Don’t let IT be the one that burns your credibility.
Want to Get Ahead of the Threats?
If you’re not sure how your systems stack up, now’s the time to find out. Our free Cybersecurity Network Assessment uncovers hidden vulnerabilities, pinpoints gaps in your defenses, and gives you a clear plan to strengthen your IT security.
At Qual IT, we specialize in managed IT services for Salt Lake City property management firms—and we know how to keep your operations running smoothly.
