7 Essential Steps to Shield Your Mortgage Business from Data Breaches

With cyber threats on the rise, mortgage brokers are increasingly vulnerable. The sensitive nature of client data makes your business a prime target for cybercriminals. Are you doing enough to safeguard your company’s data?

Below, we break down seven essential steps to fortify your defenses and protect your clients and business from potential data breaches.

1. Develop a Comprehensive IT/Cybersecurity Program

Comprehensive IT/Cybersecurity Program

Start by crafting a detailed written IT/Cybersecurity program tailored to your mortgage business. This document should outline specific policies and procedures for data protection, including protocols for responding to potential breaches.

2. Educate and Train Your Staff

Staff Training

Your team is your first line of defense. Regularly train your staff to ensure they’re well-acquainted with cybersecurity best practices. They need to understand the importance of protecting customer information and the role they play in keeping it secure.

3. Control Access to Sensitive Information

Control Access to Sensitive Information

Limit access to sensitive data to only those who need it to perform their jobs. Implement robust access control measures and monitor who has access to what information. This step is crucial in preventing unauthorized data exposure or leakage.

4. Encrypt Sensitive Data and Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

data encryption

Encryption acts as a strong barrier against unauthorized access. Encrypt all sensitive data, whether at rest or in transit. Additionally, implement MFA to add an extra layer of security, ensuring that even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is still prevented.

5. Regularly Test Your Safeguards

Testing Your Safeguards

Establish a routine for monitoring and testing your cybersecurity measures. Regular audits and vulnerability assessments can help identify weaknesses before they’re exploited. Staying proactive is key to maintaining a robust security posture.

6. Vet Third-Party Service Providers

Vet Third-Party Service Providers

Third-party vendors can introduce additional risks. Ensure that any service providers you work with adhere to stringent cybersecurity standards. Regularly review their security protocols to ensure they align with your own requirements.

7. Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment

Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment

Periodically assess your cybersecurity risks to understand potential vulnerabilities and the impact they could have on your business. Use these insights to update and enhance your protection strategies consistently.

By following these seven steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of a data breach and ensure that your mortgage brokerage remains a trusted partner for your clients.

Need more confidence in your Cybersecurity Program? Contact SCP today for expert guidance and solutions tailored to your business needs. Protect your company and customers—because in cybersecurity, prevention is always better than cure.

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About Ari Karen

Ari Karen is an experienced litigator who has focused his practice in representing financial institutions in both government investigations and litigation before state and federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. Mr. Karen’s practice is diverse, representing clients on matters concerning banking regulations, Dodd Frank financial reform laws, contractual disputes, employment and labor statutes, wage-hour class actions, employment discrimination and fair lending matters, whistleblower complaints and non-competition claims, among others.

Mr. Karen speaks regularly on topics affecting all types of lenders including fair lending and disparate impact, LO compensation, marketing service agreements, compliance with social media, non QM lending, vendor management, and much more. Mr. Karen is a principal in the Financial Institutions Regulatory and Labor and Employment practice groups of the Offit Kurman law firm.