HSM IT ServicesReal Estate and Property Management
Real estate brokerages and property management companies in Alberta handle large transactions, tenant records and building systems. HSM IT Services helps protect deposits and personal information, support mobile agents and managers, and secure the technology in managed properties.
Real estate brokerages and property management firms work on the move. Agents and property managers use phones, tablets and laptops to communicate with clients, sign documents electronically, access listing services and manage showings. Property managers also run accounting, tenant portals, maintenance requests and building systems such as cameras, door access and intercoms. Many teams include independent contractors with their own devices, which makes consistent security more difficult. Teams need technology that works from anywhere while keeping client and tenant information under the brokerage's control.
Real estate transactions involve deposits and large payments, which makes the industry a prime target for wire fraud. Criminals compromise email accounts of agents, clients or lawyers and send convincing instructions to redirect funds. Property managers face similar risks with tenant payments, vendor invoices and condominium reserve funds. Personal information such as identification documents, credit checks and tenancy applications must be collected and stored securely. Strict verification procedures and well protected accounts are the most effective defences against these schemes.
In Alberta, real estate professionals are licensed and regulated under the Real Estate Act and the rules of the Real Estate Council of Alberta, and brokerages have obligations under federal anti-money laundering legislation. PIPA governs the personal information they collect from clients and tenants. Cameras and access control in managed buildings also involve personal information. Sound IT practices help firms meet these obligations and protect the trust that client relationships depend on.
Risks we see most
Deposit and closing fraud
Fraudsters use compromised email to send false payment instructions for deposits and closing funds.
Exposure of identification documents
Copies of ID, credit reports and applications stored in email or personal devices can be stolen or misused.
Independent agent devices
Contractors using personal phones and laptops without management can expose client data if devices are lost or compromised.
Insecure building systems
Cameras, intercoms and access control systems with default credentials can be accessed or disabled remotely.
Account takeover
Stolen passwords for email, e-signature and listing platforms allow attackers to impersonate agents or managers.
How HSM IT Services helps
- Mobile device management and support for agents and property managers, including personal devices
- Multi-factor authentication for email, e-signature and business platforms
- Payment verification procedures and training to prevent deposit and closing fraud
- Secure storage for identification documents, applications and tenant files
- Security cameras, door access control and intercom systems for managed properties
- Backups for accounting, tenant and transaction records
Rules and standards that apply
- Alberta Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
- Real Estate Act (Alberta) and Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) rules
- Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA)
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your obligations with your lawyer or regulator.
Services for this sector
Mobile Device Support
Our Mobile Device Support manages the smartphones and tablets your staff use for email, Teams, field apps and customer contact. We enrol and configure devices, protect company data on both company and personal phones, troubleshoot problems and handle lost or stolen devices quickly and securely.
Learn moreEmail Security
Our Email Security protects your organization from phishing, malware, business email compromise and domain spoofing. We combine advanced filtering, sender authentication with SPF, DKIM and DMARC, account protection and staff reporting tools, so fraudulent messages are blocked and suspicious ones are caught quickly.
Learn moreAccess Control Systems
Our Access Control Systems design, install and manage electronic door access using cards, fobs and mobile credentials. Because we also manage your IT, door access is integrated with staff onboarding and offboarding, so new employees get the right access on day one and departing employees lose it immediately.
Learn moreSecurity Cameras and Video Surveillance
Our Security Cameras and Video Surveillance designs, installs and maintains IP camera systems with network video recorders, remote viewing and proper retention. We keep cameras secured and separated from your business network, so your video system protects your property without becoming a way into your computers.
Learn moreQuestions we hear
Many of our agents are independent. Can you still secure their devices?
Yes. We can manage the business side of personal devices without taking control of personal content, using work profiles and app protection policies. This lets you require a passcode, protect brokerage data and remove it if an agent leaves, while respecting their privacy and ownership of the device.
How do we protect clients from closing fraud?
We secure your email accounts and monitor for suspicious activity, and we help you adopt clear rules for payment instructions, such as confirming by phone through known numbers. We also recommend telling clients early that you will never change payment instructions by email, which helps them recognize fraud attempts.
Can you manage cameras and door access for our buildings?
Yes. We design, install and manage camera and access control systems for managed properties, with secure remote access for property managers. We keep these systems on separate networks, update firmware and can help you plan retention and signage so they support your privacy obligations under PIPA.