10 Questions You Should Ask about the Security and Integrity of Your Data

The real estate industry now runs on data, but it seems like everyone wants to stake their claim in this data-driven reality. Who really should own your data, then? Your tech vendor, your brokerage, or the organization aggregating it for you?

The insecurity agents and teams feel that their hard-earned SOI contacts won't remain private is one of the less talked about but critical features that many brokerages and tech vendors gloss over. It's natural to be resistant to putting your hard-earned contacts and personal sphere into a CRM. In fact, until you establish some straightforward facts about whether your data remains yours, you shouldn't use the tech. Why? Many tech platforms (and brokerages) expect you to freely hand over your private sphere data to use their solutions.

If you hand over your contacts and data, are they safe? To answer that, here are 10 other questions you should be asking:

1. If I import my sphere, will my contacts be shared with anyone else – or kept private for use only by me?

2. If I start to gather other data about my contacts, will that be shared in any way?

3. Will my broker or the corporate office be able to access my contacts or the data I gather about them?

4. Will my data be analyzed or processed for other uses?

5. Will any third-party companies have access to my data?

6. What if I end services or leave the brokerage? Can I export my data, and if so, will it cost?

7. Will you retain any of my data after I end services?

8. Will you be monetizing my data in any way?

9. Will my data be backed up? Have you had any past issues with data security?

10. Where can I see a copy of your privacy policy?

You need technology that drives your business and gives you insightful analytics that helps you make smart decisions – but not at the expense of your data. Database independence is critical for agents and teams, and the security and integrity of your personal sphere (and its corresponding data) should be straightforward.

To view the original article, visit the Inside Real Estate blog.