Cyber Security in the Housing Sector

from IHM-News - Summer 2022

President’s Message

By Carola Mittag

In view of the recent, countrywide ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS outage, this article addresses a business’ reliance on crucial network services and some of the vulnerabilities they are exposed to. While this case originated internally it could also have been a terrorist cyber attack.

The housing sector has not been exempt from the rise in cyber attacks over the past few years. This is especially the case as many housing providers have aimed to improve their adoption of digital services to account for the increasingly digital footprint of today’s society. Unfortunately, as digital delivery of services increases, so does the increase in impact that cyber-attacks can have in this sector.

The number of ransomware attacks committed against the housing sector have increased. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to prevent user access to a computer system until a ransom payment is made.

Unfortunately, ransomware attacks have been commonly accompanied by data exfiltration and a threat to publish personal data if the ransom is not paid. Data breach is an increased threat to organisations who have a duty of care to tenants and staff. The threat of data publication can be especially impactful for organisations such as housing associations who commonly hold both personal and special category personal new applications to join the housing waiting list, repair reporting, updating register records, rent and service charge payments. There are examples of such services being interrupted for months as a result of cyber-attacks.

It is important that housing providers seek assurance that their IT security function is safe and secure, and that security vulnerabilities are appropriately lessened.

Overall, the severe and long-lasting consequences of a housing provider falling victim to a cyber-attack highlight the importance of cyber security in the sector. As cyber threats grow in volume and sophistication, and technology becomes essential for meeting the needs of your tenants, staff, suppliers and society, your cyber security must build resilience and trust. u

data. The sector already has a healthy plaintiff legal community, and a data breach arising out of a cyber-attack can expose organisations to significant legal cost exposure from claims.

In addition, housing providers may also be exposed through their supply chain and third-party partners. Housing providers use third parties to provide services; e.g., housing repairs. Should the third party be hacked, there is a risk that the housing provider will be held responsible.

Even if a ransomware attack does not involve a data confidentiality breach, the operational impact to services can be long-lasting. The delivery of housing services rely upon a wide range of public and private sector partners and if there is disruption in the network, that can bring gridlock to critical services, e.g.

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EXECUTIVE

President

Jimmy Mellor, FIHM Director of Operations, Precision Property Management 22 Goodmark Place, Suite 22, Toronto, ON M9W 6R2 Tel: 416-887-9253 | Fax: 416-675-0170 Email: jimmym@ppmgmt.ca

Vice President Marketing/Membership Committee

Kevin McCann, FIHM Email: kevinmccann98@hotmail.com

Secretary-Treasurer Conference Committee Chair

Lynn Alexander, FIHM Region of Durham Housing Services P.O.Box 623, Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Tel: 905-666-6222 | Fax: 905-666-6225 Email: Lynn.alexander@durham.ca

IHM OFFICE:

Carolyne Vigon, Operations Manager Beth McKenzie, Program Manager 2800 14th Avenue, Suite 210, Markham, Ontario L3R 0E4 Tel: (416) 493-7382 / 1-866-212-4377 Fax: (416) 491-1670 Email: info@ihmcanada.net

DIRECTORS

Education Committee Member Ed Cipriani, FIHM ecpm@skylinc.net Education Committee Member Tracey Csordas, AIHM Email: traceycsordas@yahoo.com Marketing/Membership Committee Member Stacy Ellis, AIHM Property Manager, Housing Operations Community and Health Services, Housing Services The Regional Municipality of York 145 Essex Avenue, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0W8 Tel: 905-898-1007 ext. 72717 Email: stacy.ellis@york.ca New Opportunities Chair

Phil Eram, B.Sc., FIHM Precision Property Management Inc. 22 Goodmark Place, Suite 22, Toronto, ON M9W 6R2 Tel: 416-675-2223 Email: pgsd@cogeco.ca Education Committee Chair, Communications Committee Member, Conference Committee Member

Deborah Filice, MEd, RSSW, FIHM, CIHCM, CMMIII DAF Property Management Services Inc. Tel: 289-244-8269 Email: dfilice@dafpmservices.com Communications Committee Chair, Francesca Filice, B.A., AIHM Property Manager Victoria Park Community Homes Tel: 289-244-8059 Email: ffilice@vpch.com

Communications Committee Member Lana Litke, AIHM Tel: 905-746-3514 Email: LanaMLitke@gmail.com

Marketing/Membership Committee Chair Marissa Zuliani, AIHM Property Management Solutions Inc. 3542 Walker Road Windsor, ON N8W 3S4 Tel: 226-961-3323 Email: info@propertymanagementsolutions.ca

CANDIDATE MEMBER

Stacey Sanelli

Precision Property Management Inc. 22 Goodmark Place, Suite 22, Toronto, ON M9W 6R2 Tel: 416-887-1251 Email: staceys@ppmgmt.ca

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP!

n Participate on the various committees n Help with the Annual Educational

Conference

n Submit relevant articles for the IHM quarterly newsletter n Consider becoming a proctor for exams (FIHM/AIHM Members only) n Mentor a Candidate member (FIHM/AIHM Members only) n Become an Instructor (FIHM/AIHM

Members only)