Cyber-attacks in the real estate sector

Did you know that the main economic and reputational risk in the real estate sector is the fraudulent obtaining of highly sensitive financial data? In a sector where trust is key, a data breach can mean the loss of clients, legal sanctions and a stain on reputation that is difficult to erase. Cyber-attacks not only compromise financial information, but also personal customer and property data that companies handle on a daily basis.

Major cyber-attacks affecting the real estate sector

1

Phishing: cybercriminals send fake e-mails, posing as banks or legal institutions, to obtain passwords, banking information or personal data.
2

Ransomware: this type of attack blocks access to company systems and data until a ransom is paid. It can paralyze operations for days or weeks.
3

Unauthorized access: the lack of adequate security measures allows attackers to access internal systems and extract sensitive data without being detected.
4

Supply chain attacks:In the real estate industry you work with numerous suppliers and partners. An attack on a partner with weak security measures can have a knock-on effect, affecting your business. For example, a compromised software supplier can open a gateway for cyber criminals to access your systems.
5

Identity theft: customer or property data can be used for identity theft, affecting both the company and its customers.

Consequences of a cyber-attack in the real estate sector

Cyberattacks not only compromise the security of your systems, but can have a devastating impact on your business. Here are some of the main consequences for companies in the real estate sector:

Financial losses: A cyber-attack can lead to disruptions in daily operations, loss of revenue and significant costs to restore systems and data. In addition, in cases such as ransomware, high ransoms may be demanded to regain access to systems.
Reputational damage: A leak of customers’ personal or financial data can seriously affect trust in your company. Customers could choose to take their business to a competitor, affecting your revenues in the long run.
Fines and legal penalties: if your customers’ personal data is compromised, you could face sanctions under regulations such as the GDPR, which impose severe fines for data protection breaches.
Loss of critical information: in the real estate sector, financial and property data are essential. An attack can result in the loss of this information, affecting the continuity of projects.
Impact on the supply chain: attacks affecting partners or suppliers can disrupt operations, leading to delays and additional costs.

How to avoid these risks in the real estate sector

A proactive approach is key to protecting your business from cyberattacks. Here are the main actions you can take:

1

Cybersecurity audits: perform periodic reviews of your systems to identify vulnerabilities and correct them before they are exploited.
2

Cybersecurity plan: design a strategy that details how to protect your digital assets and respond to potential incidents.
3

Training and awareness: train your employees on good digital practices, such as recognizing phishing emails and handling secure passwords.
4

Antivirus and software updates: keep all programs and operating systems up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities.
5

Backups and encryption: make regular copies of your data and protect it with encryption to ensure that, in the event of an attack, you can restore it securely.
6

Advanced tools (EDR and AI): EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solutions and AI tools detect and neutralize threats before they cause damage.
7

Managed cybersecurity: rely on professionals to monitor and manage the security of your systems 24/7, ensuring a rapid response to any incident.

Cybersecurity is an essential pillar for protecting sensitive data in the real estate industry. In an environment where trust is key, you cannot allow a cyber-attack to compromise your reputation, your operations or the trust of your customers. Implementing measures such as audits, training, advanced tools and cybersecurity strategies is essential to mitigate risks and ensure the continuity of your business. At Glofera, we understand the specific challenges of the real estate sector, and that is why we have developed ProCiberour multilayered cybersecurity solution managed by professionals. ProCiber offers comprehensive protection, from threat detection and prevention to incident management and response, so you can focus on your business with complete peace of mind. Learn more about ProCiber HERE.

Protect yourself with ProCiber and make sure your business is prepared to face the digital threats of today’s world. Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION: +34 900 600 300 or write to us at hola@glofera.com.

Proximity technology consultancy formed by professionals with a track record of over 20 years of experience in the field of Cybersecurity and Telecommunications Telecommunications.