Secure20 e-Security

NAR REALTOR® Secure Certification Program

REALTOR® Secure is a NAR-sponsored certification program addressing a range of today's business concerns, from avoiding business interruptions to securing on-line information, transactions, and stored data. This important new certification demonstrates that REALTOR® organizations meet security industry best practices.

Any and all Brokerages, Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), and Virtual Office Websites (VOWs) are candidates for the REALTOR® Secure program.

Obtaining the REALTOR® Secure certification will allow your organization to be recognized as a security-aware and trusted organization by your customers, business partners and employees.

REALTOR® Secure Program Details

Multiple listing services and brokers increasingly rely on technology to provide services. But what happens when the technology is improperly secured? Business could be interrupted and time and money lost. Valuable information could be lost, stolen or tampered with due to accidents, natural disasters or intentional theft – and everyone loses.

As the industry leader, NAR sets the standard to lead the industry. Now NAR's Center for REALTOR® Technology (CRT) has developed the REALTOR® Secure program to assist REALTORS® prevent business interruptions and protect information from internal and external risks. CRT based the program on the security industry's best practices and models proven to work in securing access to data.

Key benefits of the REALTOR® Secure Program

For the MLS community:

Allows them to meet the new NAR standard for protecting consumer and listing information.
Helps to lower operating costs (and avoid adverse publicity) due to the lost time and productivity caused by viruses and hackers.
Brokers will have a higher level of confidence in an MLS with certification.
MLS, due to new Federal and State privacy regulations may be forced to be more concerned about data security and privacy protection.

For the Broker community:

Consumers will have more trust in certified brokers. Buyers and Sellers will have more faith that their private data is secure from identify theft. They will know their information is secure with their trusted Advisor and Broker.
Brokers benefit from referrals from clients satisfied with their level of attention to privacy and security
Consumers can work with any broker, but are more likely more satisfied working with one who keeps up with the industry.
Brokers will work with a certified MLS as they may trust that their listing information is protected.
Brokers too must be concerned about new Federal and State privacy regulations. They too may be forced, more than ever before, to be more concerned about data security and privacy protection. Many smaller Brokers may not have the appropriate protective infrastructure, nor the understanding of today's complex technical security issues. The Certification process will provide the correct level of understanding of how to mitigate these issues with appropriate resources.

Why Certify for the REALTOR® Secure Program?

Consumers Want and Expect Security & Privacy
Reports of hacking, stolen consumer information and identity theft have consumers very concerned about information security. Today, consumers want assurance that their personal information is safe.

Prevent Loss of Business Assets
Stop the use of your business assets by unauthorized users. Your listings and other information need protection from misappropriation and illegal uses that can cause lost revenue and create ill will.

Reduce Cost of a Business Interruption
Viruses, Trojans and worms are attacking systems at an alarming rate. Every day, more threats are created. Re-establishing an e-commerce presence, the loss of a sale or a missed contact can be costly. The costs of being without a Web presence, e-mail or Internet capabilities are immeasurable.

Avoid Threats to Reputation and Financial Position
Financial and resource outlay is minimal compared to the costs associated with the reactive hiring of security specialists in addition to the loss of revenue and goodwill that can result from a compromise.

Avoid Regulatory Compliance Issues & Penalties
Federal, State and Local laws and regulations are rapidly reaching into the marketplace to ensure that companies ensure the privacy of their customers' data. Non-Compliance in some industries can mean mostly civil (monetary) and even possible criminal penalties, as well as adverse publicity. Regulations specific to the real estate industry have not been seen so far. Still, as those in the industry do handle customer private and financial information, some regulations may apply. Certification to the Realtor® Secure standard will help to mitigate these risks, and, may help to avoid real estate specific industry regulations.

For information on pricing for the Secure20 REALTOR® Secure program click here for more information.

Important Brochures for download:

Secure20 REALTOR^® Secure Referral Program
Click here for a quick and easy commission on referrals that you bring to Secure20 for the REALTOR^® Secure program.

Or call us at 1.888.228.2268 for more information.

REALTOR^® - A registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.