Customer relationship management (CRM) programs have become necessary in today’s business world. To make it ahead of the competitors, you need to employ every trick they have and more. CRM software streamlines tasks while putting everything you need to know about your business in one place.
For a CRM solution to be truly useful, you must have effective CRM security features installed. Otherwise, anyone looking at your CRM can access all your business practices and employee information. The very thing that makes this technology useful could destroy your business if a hacker has the right motive. To dissuade cyber threats, you must ensure the CRM program you choose is the best choice for you.
Here are features to look for when selecting a solution:
1. Encryption
Information about the company does not stay in one secure location. For any information to be useful, it must be moved so people who need the data can use it. Like any good thief knows, items are more easily stolen while in transit, including your data.
Encryption makes sure your data cannot be read even if someone from outside your company sees it. The data is scrambled and formed into a code that can only be deciphered with the right key — in this case, a password. The ability to encrypt shared or copied data is standard in almost every program, so make sure your CRM has this feature before moving forward at all.
2. Authentication
Of course, your data can’t be so secure that even your company can’t see it. Allowing a door could let hackers inside, but making sure the door has locks is another standard feature of every program. Authenticating a person’s credentials before they can view the data is a relatively easy process to create. This process can also be difficult to destroy or get around, making it harder for hackers to gain access.
There are multiple ways to go about authentication, and the range of options enables you to install as many as you see fit. Your typical password is the most common authentication method there is, but the CRM will need more security than your average social media account.
A property-based token authentication, like a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip in a card, can be more difficult for a hacker to gain or duplicate. Biometric passwords, like fingerprints or voice patterns, can make your information even more secure.
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Many online services, particularly those that may hold your bank account information, are switching over to two-factor authentication (2FA). This technique forces the user to install multiple ways to log into the service they’re using. Many often go with a password and code sent via text message or email.
The 2FA technique can accommodate any combination of authentication methods. So long as there is more than one, a hacker will have to find both sets of information and use them as a combination to see your data, making it even more difficult for them to find what they want.
4. Password Policy
You can have as many authentication methods as you want, so long as the passwords are difficult to figure out. Simply inputting “1234” because you think the fingerprint scan is enough on its own won’t cut it. You’ll need a CRM program that knows this flaw well in advance and forces its users to create a password that’s reliable enough for your CRM security. Many great CRM programs offer other high-quality security measures, all while managing your sales process, organizing your data, and unifying your contacts.
These features are what make CRM programs great for small and large businesses alike.
Password policies are nothing new, as many online websites adopted these years ago. All you need are a few rules to make sure a password is secure, such as having more than six characters, including digits and symbols, and ensuring it’s not the same as the last three used. One problem comes with remembering what the password is or forgetting it write it down, but CRMs can store this information, too.
5. Defense Against Ongoing Attacks
If your CRM does nothing when your business becomes a target for a cyberattack, then all the authentication in the world can’t help you. While all of these CRM security measures are extremely useful, a skilled, determined hacker has ways to get around almost any secure wall, especially if there’s a team of them out to get you. Your CRM needs to have counter defenses in place before an attack happens.
One of the most common attacks includes overloading a server by sending a lot of machines there at once. These DDoS attacks slow or stop your server’s work and remove your web services, leaving you blind. This issue can be circumvented by installing throttling features and blocking questionable IP addresses from entering the server. IP addresses that are allowed to access your server should have limits on how far they can enter your space.
6. Offline Mode
Having all of your information viewable away from the internet may initially seem like a good idea. However, this creates two substantial breaches. First, this allows hackers who break into your CRM to keep the information they find once they get offline for safety purposes. Second, a hacker won’t have to do any actual hacking if all they need to do is steal an employee’s phone or computer. The latter option happens more often than you may think, especially because a lost device can quickly become a stolen device just by sheer bad luck.
All you need is a CRM that limits the information that can be viewed offline. This setup may make work slightly more annoying for your employees, but this discomfort can prevent many headaches in the future. When it comes to keeping your business afloat, some complicated techniques must be welcomed.
Finding One That’s Right For You
Don’t be fooled by your business’ size. Whether you think you’re too small to be noticed or too big to be touchable, a hacker will eventually get their eyes on you even if they’re targeting every business in a local area. Don’t let your company be a victim of a cyberattack. Invest in a great CRM that will make your business run smoother while protecting you from harm.
