How Unified Communications Improves Data Security and Compliance in the Property Sector

Real estate agents handle sensitive client information during property transactions, making them prime targets for cyber threats. 

Despite the growing risks, many real estate professionals continue to rely on outdated communications systems, leaving their security efforts vulnerable to modern cyber attacks.

Unified Communications (UC) offers a powerful, all-in-one solution to streamline how your real estate agency communicates both internally and externally.

By consolidating voice calls, video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing, UC not only enhances collaboration but also significantly boosts security measures for safeguarding sensitive data.

At Elite Group, we specialise in cloud communications and business technologies. If you want to strengthen your agency’s security and communication capabilities, speak with Elite Group today, or keep reading to learn more about the impressive advantages UC has to offer.

What is Unified Communications?

Unified Communications (UC) is much more than just a business phone system. It’s a cloud-based platform that combines all the communication tools your business needs in one place. These include:

• Voice calls
• Call forwarding
• Text messaging
• Instant messaging
• Email
• Video conferencing
• File transfers
• Collaboration tools

As UC is cloud-based, your team can access these tools from any device, desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone, allowing for seamless communication, no matter where they are.

A key benefit of UC is cost savings. According to Elite Group research, 25% of large businesses still rely on three or more separate communication tools daily, each with its own subscription costs. By switching to a single UC platform, you can eliminate these extra subscriptions, reduce infrastructure costs, and streamline your operations.

But it’s not just about saving money. UC is also a powerful tool for improving security and ensuring compliance, which is especially important in the real estate industry.

Why Data Security and Compliance Matter in Real Estate

As a real estate agency, you handle large volumes of sensitive client information. Protecting this data isn’t just a matter of trust, it’s also a legal requirement. Regulations surrounding data privacy, such as GDPR, are strict, and failure to comply can result in severe consequences, including hefty fines.

The need for robust security and compliance tools is more pressing than ever. A 2024 Cyber Breaches Survey found that 22% of UK businesses experienced a cyber attack in the past year, making cybersecurity a top priority for real estate firms.

How UC Enhances Security and Compliance in Real Estate

• Robust Data Security and Access Control

Cybercriminals are always looking for vulnerabilities, and outdated communication systems can provide an easy target. UC systems offer advanced security features, including:

• Encryption: This scrambles data, making it unreadable to anyone without the correct access key.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA ensures that only authorised employees can access the system, adding an extra layer of protection.
• Role-based access control: Administrators can limit access to certain tools and information based on role or seniority, further reducing the risk of unauthorised data access.

These features help protect your agency’s sensitive information and ensure that only the right people have access to it.

• Built-in Compliance Tools

With UC systems, staying compliant is simpler. Many platforms include tools that help businesses comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and others relevant to the real estate industry. These tools ensure that client data is securely stored, tracked, and handled according to legal standards, helping you avoid potential legal issues.

• Reduces the Risk of Avoidable Data Breaches

According to an IBM study, up to 95% of cyber breaches are caused by human error, in which sensitive data is accidentally shared outside the organisation.

Phishing attacks, in which cybercriminals impersonate legitimate employees to gain access to sensitive data, are common in the real estate industry. The complexity of using multiple communication platforms can increase the likelihood of falling victim to these scams.

UC simplifies communications by consolidating all channels into one platform, making it easier for employees to spot phishing attempts and suspicious activity. With verified users and a unified system, it’s easier to identify who is contacting you and prevent fraud.

• Alleviates Security Risks Associated with Legacy Systems

Real estate agencies still using legacy technology are at risk.

These systems are often outdated, incompatible with modern security tools, and less capable of handling today’s sophisticated cyber threats.

Unified Communications systems, on the other hand, integrate cutting-edge security features like artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor activity in real-time and alert administrators to suspicious behaviour. 

When UC is provided as a service (UCaaS), businesses benefit from expert management and regular updates, ensuring that security tools are always up to date.

• Remote Worker Security

With many employers now embracing remote and hybrid work, consideration must be given to the security risks associated with working away from the office.

Whether assessing properties or conducting virtual tours, agents need to ensure that sensitive data remains protected, even when working outside the office.

UC systems offer built-in security features, which, when combined with a trusted VPN (Virtual Private Network), provide a secure connection for remote workers. These tools help protect your team from cybercriminals who might try to exploit public Wi-Fi networks or access devices remotely.

Choose Elite Group for Your UC Solution

Ready to improve your agency’s security and communication? Contact Elite Group today for a free consultation and discover how Unified Communications can transform your business.

Our team of experts brings decades of experience in cloud technologies and communication solutions, with industry-standard certifications to back it up. When you onboard UC with Elite Group, you’ll receive a dedicated account manager to ensure everything is tailored to your business needs. We also offer 24/7 technical support, so you can always rely on us for help.

Protect your clients, enhance your communications, and stay compliant with cutting-edge UC solutions. Speak with an Elite Group expert today and take the first step toward securing your real estate agency’s future.