First published in Housing Technology.

In today’s interconnected world, housing associations represent more than just brick and mortar establishments; they are repositories of valuable data. As custodians of substantial amounts of intellectual property, financial information, and tenant data, it falls to them to protect these ‘crown jewels’ with the utmost care.

For housing associations, it’s crucial to comprehend the nature and quantity of data they hold. This process involves identifying where the data is stored, who has access to it, and how it is being utilised. Performing a paperwork exercise of a data map is the best approach. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of their data landscape, associations can design and implement effective security strategies.

Start by asking the key questions

A generic approach to data security is far from sufficient. Housing providers should consider several key questions:

• Do mandates for data protection and governance differ by location, data types or other factors?
• Is data resilience a regulatory requirement, a cyber threat mitigation or both?

Answering these questions demands cooperation with legal, risk, and compliance teams. While IT and information security may bear the responsibility of implementing controls and protection measures, these must align with the organisation’s responsibilities and contractual obligations.

The advent of remote work in recent years has added another layer of complexity to data security. With an increasing volume of business-critical data and a shift towards remote work, it is more vital than ever for associations to adopt an integrated approach. This approach should enable rapid identification, triage and action on suspicious activities.

Overcoming data challenges to deliver outstanding services

Microsoft’s compliance solutions, coupled with offerings from Quorum Cyber, can equip providers with a comprehensive toolkit to tackle these challenges. These solutions can assist them in monitoring, managing, and securing their data across multiple platforms and locations. By allowing us to monitor, organisations can concentrate on delivering an outstanding service to their clients.

In conclusion, data security is an urgent concern for all housing providers. It demands an integrated approach that combines technology with robust processes and human expertise. By understanding their data landscape and implementing bespoke security measures, they can effectively protect their ‘crown jewels’ and fulfil their obligations to their clients.

How can you master your data?

Quorum Cyber’s Clarity Data service can help housing associations master their data, allowing them to meet compliance rules, adhere to privacy standards, and protect their most valuable assets from being stolen, misplaced, or lost.

Clarity Data is designed to complement our extensive range of services including managed security and Cyber Resilience Assessment (CRA), Incident Response Preparedness and Incident Response Retainer. In addition, we offer comprehensive professional services including Offensive Security, to protect your entire IT ecosystem from harm.

Contact us today to find out how to strengthen your cyber security posture and defend your organisation from cyber-attacks.