The Importance of Proptech Security
When it comes to resident security, there is no room for compromise. You need to let the right people in and keep everyone else out, you can’t put your residents’ data at risk, and you must ensure WiFi networks are protected. Any margin of error has the potential to be disastrous.
Property technology can be an important ally in safeguarding your community. It can make it possible to view security footage from anywhere, disable access for an individual, and lock down your building during an emergency. But new technology can be scary if you don’t trust the security standards.
At Homebase, we know that the most important promise any property makes to its residents is to keep them safe. Proptech security is part of that commitment. We take our responsibility seriously and have implemented robust practices to protect residents’ physical security, data privacy, and network safety.
Security and Unit Locks
Let’s start with locks.
When it comes to securing your doors, traditional metal locks have been the go-to solution since the 9th century. They are familiar and easy to understand, but it’s time for an upgrade. Smart locks are revolutionizing access control, offering a digital alternative that may seem unfamiliar at first, but brings a whole new level of convenience and security.
Imagine a lock that empowers residents and staff with amenity services, like visitor access, while enhancing overall security. That’s exactly what smart locks offer. For the most reliable hardware on the market, we trust Schlage, a name that has been synonymous with security and excellence for over a century.
Our locks connect seamlessly to the Homebase app through Bluetooth so residents can unlock doors with their phones. This gives property managers complete visibility over who has access to the building since phone credentials cannot be copied. Each resident can connect one mobile device and one wearable device, and they can easily manage their connected devices through the app.
With remote management capabilities, staff members can grant or revoke access instantly, from anywhere. This increases security during staffing changes and move-outs. With the option for app-only access, any adjustments made through the Homebase Web Manager are instantly implemented, ensuring seamless control over access privileges.
In the event of an incident, property managers can rely on Homebase to conduct an audit of access activity and identify any individuals involved. We also provide residents with a log of all resident or staff member access at their unit. For safety, staff members can only see resident activity at units if they follow the official auditing process.
One of our Product Owners understands the importance of this privacy feature on a personal level. When Christina started working at Homebase, she shared:
“My sister lives in an old apartment building and there was a maintenance person who had access to her apartment and would leave notes and flowers. It was scary, so when I heard about some of the initiatives that Homebase is working on as far as security I said, ‘This is great. I’d like to be a part of a smart company that is making sure residents are safe.’”
With the advancement of lock technology, we’re redefining door security, making it smarter, safer, and more convenient than ever before.
Data Privacy and the Homebase App
Safeguarding your residents’ physical well-being is not the sole responsibility of a multifamily community; protecting their personal information is equally important. It’s understandable to be cautious when incorporating property technology, but at Homebase, we prioritize data privacy as an integral part of our commitment to proptech security.
All information within our system is encrypted end-to-end, ensuring the utmost protection. Resident data is only used to track the individual in our system and is never sold. If a resident requests, we are even capable of anonymizing their data, though it affects their ability to unlock doors using the Homebase app.
To demonstrate our dedication to data privacy and security, we obtained our SOC 2 certification in 2022. This rigorous auditing process guarantees that we meet or exceed industry standards in safeguarding both our company and customer data. Since our certification, we have strengthened our commitment by continuing to enhance these processes.
We entrust payment processing within our app to our partner, Stripe, to ensure the highest level of security. We communicate with Stripe exclusively through tokens, which represent a value and guarantee the protection of sensitive information. In fact, Homebase is never privy to payment details.
Privacy remains at the forefront of everything we do. We take every measure to prioritize the confidentiality and security of your residents’ data so you can embrace the advantages of property technology without worry.
Keeping Your Network Safe
Ensuring WiFi network safety is the third vital component of our comprehensive proptech security system.
Managed WiFi has become increasingly popular in multifamily communities as it provides essential services to residents while generating additional property revenue.
At Homebase, our prioritization of safety begins with WiFi installation. We install WiFi during the property onboarding process, so residents don’t have to worry about letting strangers in their units. As soon as they select their plan, their WiFi will be up and running immediately after move-in.
To maintain the security of our networks, we equip each building with a dedicated firewall. We also allocate a private network to every resident. The firewall allows residents to reach the internet through their subnet and prevents anyone from connecting with another subnet in the building.
We value the privacy of our residents’ internet activity. Neither Homebase nor property managers have any visibility into browsing history. Homebase can only see the number of devices connected to the network, which is important for troubleshooting connection issues.
Though Homebase Managed WiFi offers added convenience, we don’t compromise on network privacy or security. While you benefit from new revenue, you can trust that your network security equals or exceeds that of a traditional ISP.
Building a Secure Future
If you’re eager to propel your property into a more secure future and enhance convenience, efficiency, and NOI, our team of Smart Building Experts is here to assist you. Start today and discover how you can unlock the full potential of your property by optimizing proptech security and privacy for your residents.
