Smart-connected equipment and residential devices are today’s reality, and so are cyberthreats.
How essential is this duo?
Multifamily property owners and builders collect, use, and store highly sensitive, personally identifiable information, like names, social security numbers, payment or bank account information, and more. Yet, every access point—each smart light, smart thermostat, and even smart gate—is a potential security vulnerability. A network breach could affect elevators, cameras, or AC/heating systems. It could open residents up to identity theft. It also puts the property manager on the legal hot seat when private information gets extracted.
Misconception: “Cybersecurity is someone else’s problem.”
“Some people think cybersecurity is solely someone else’s responsibility,” says John Schiel, principal information security architect for Quantum Fiber. The assumption is that some ‘IT guy’ somewhere is ‘keeping an eye on it.’ Schiel believes shifting this mentality is crucial. Cyberattacks are a potential business problem for everyone.
Bad actors may not initially attack through a multifamily company’s IT department. Instead, they may target residents or employees with email-based schemes and ransomware attacks. Generative AI (GenAI) has emerged as a new threat, with nearly 47% of organizations citing it as their primary concern.
Get a solid defense in place.
“While cybersecurity threats are serious, that shouldn’t stop owners and builders who want to invest in technology solutions to modernize and smart-equip their communities,” explains Jeff Johnson, director of consumer sales for the west region, for Quantum Fiber.
The residential industry must embrace the future to stay competitive. “Residents are increasingly looking for properties that offer amplified security measures and the convenience of smart home technology,” Johnson says. “Property owners should find an ISP, like Quantum Fiber, that delivers robust cybersecurity protections.”
Contact a Quantum Fiber Connected Communities expert to learn about connectivity solutions tailored to your multifamily community
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