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EFFECTIVE DATA PRIVACY:

IMPROVING CUSTOMER TRUST IN THE

COVID-19 ERA

SHAHRYAR SHAGHAGHI create a jumble of digital assets that generate
Principal, Cybersecurity and a tsunami of data about individuals, operations,
Privacy National Leader and facilities management, to name a few.
CohnReznick Connected technologies also redouble the number
of devices and network endpoints, which can
IN THIS ERA OF DIGITAL INTERCONNECTIVITY, expand the attack surface and create new entry
commercial real estate (CRE) companies are points for malicious actors. And in response to
rushing to deliver personalized tenant and occupier COVID-19, CRE firms are adding technologies like
experiences by adopting technologies like intelligent temperature monitors, contact-tracing apps, and
buildings, the Internet of Things (IoT), and integrated location tracking that not only create new endpoint
tenant- and building-management solutions. They vulnerabilities but also potentially jeopardize
are betting that these connected technologies will sensitive personal information and health data.
help them customize occupant services, improve
operational efficiencies, and optimize revenues. It’s a problem that is particularly acute for CRE,
a sector that has been transformed by both
At the same time, the COVID-19 crisis has created technology and COVID-19. Businesses collect troves
an unexpected—and unprecedented—disruption of sensitive personal, financial, and health data, but
in workplace models, procedures, and locations. often lack the tools and processes to safeguard
In response to the pandemic, building owners this information. Compared with highly regulated
are implementing remote-work technologies and sectors like financial services, commercial real
processes to prepare for a future in which working estate companies typically have modest experience
from home will be more commonplace. Building implementing up-to-date security and privacy
owners are also implementing new technologies safeguards.
necessary to reopen office buildings after the
pandemic subsides, as well as tools to help monitor Compounding matters, some vendors of connected
the health of employees, visitors, and customers. devices and real-estate management solutions
have pushed new technologies into the connected
When implementing these technologies and ecosystem without first implementing proper
platforms, however, businesses may unwittingly security and privacy safeguards. This may be

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