SIBOR has recently taken important steps to face a challenge that is prevalent in our entire industry – that of data security – and we wish to share information about this initiative with you.  As you know, it possible to access the MLS system from any computer with Internet connectivity.  However, with this convenient method of access comes a big challenge – specifically, protecting our valuable MLS data from misuse and theft. 

While hackers are an ongoing challenge for the entire technology industry, our biggest threats are people and companies who shouldn’t have access to the MLS and are logging in with passwords they have either been given or have obtained through unauthorized methods. Often, real estate professionals do not realize when they give out their login to one trusted person or company, that person may tell another, and eventually scores or even (in some documented cases) hundreds of people gain access.  Even if a member never shares their password, it can be stolen or guessed. That risk can be somewhat reduced by using a complex password and changing it often.  However, that’s difficult to do for most users, doesn’t fully solve the problem, and typically results in the user writing the password down where it can easily be stolen.  Because of password sharing and theft, MLS organizations and MLS vendors have estimated that between 10 and 25 percent of user logins are not made by legitimate dues paying members of the MLS.

Limiting access to the information in the MLS is important for many reasons. First, there is a lot of sensitive information stored within the listing, including showing instructions that in the wrong hands can lead to burglary and other crime.  Second, many of our members now store personal information about customers and clients in the MLS in the form of contact management and prospecting applications, and that information can be misused by someone else logging into their account.  Third, as MLS organizations around the country explore integration options with transaction management systems and other data sensitive systems, the MLS becomes the front door to a host of consumer and financial information protected by federal legislation.  The need to protect this information is urgent!

In the near future, SIBOR will be implementing a proven security technology that has been in use by millions of people in private industry and government for over a decade.  This solution was researched at length by Clareity, a well-respected real estate consulting company.  We have chosen to work with Clareity to implement this solution for the protection of SIBOR members.

As this security initiative moves forward, we will provide you with more detail information about how it will work, and how we as MLS members can appropriately protect access to the sensitive information entrusted to us.  We currently expect the system to be fully operational by the end of February, 2006.