Marketers Beware: Security Risks of CRMs

So maybe this is a bit of a stretch from our usual blog content. But while CRMs may seem unrelated to what Diana Alexia Creations does, it actually relates to content writing and marketing more than any of us wish it did.

According to Salesforce, the definition of Customer Relationship Management—better known as CRM—is software intended to streamline the management of company interactions from communications, documents, invoices, and more.

In fact, CRMs are used by most businesses out there, not just marketing teams. From large corporations, to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and anyone who works with clients–we use some kind of CRM software to handle our tasks and client relations.

CRMs can be the lifeline of a business managing its finances, projects, and client relationships. So, one hack can really, really ruin your day.

What Can a CRM Do For Your Business?

CRMs help streamline internal processes, like organizing projects and preparing relevant invoices that would take multiple tracking systems to keep organized. Many companies and businesses use CRM systems to automate their workflow and organize their projects and finances. However, although CRM systems bring ease to the workplace, they pose a potential security risk to company information.

Don’t Just Give Anyone the Passcode

Companies should research their software options before investing in a CRM. The reason why is quite simple: security threats can place all internal information at risk.

Companies must have employees dedicated to addressing CRM issues, including security. And they should limit the number of hands allowed to change or manipulate data. This is why many companies choose to have a database administrator or limit access to project managers. Unfortunately, all it takes is one simple mistake or inadvertent change to settings to put the whole company’s internal system at risk, in the hands of hackers, or lose it entirely.

Let’s Practice Safety First

There are a few steps that marketers can take to prevent security issues. The Pipeline suggests creating limits to access levels on a need-to-know basis. If only a handful of employees need access to a project, keep it at just that. The more access points to a project, the more risk are taken that can result in catastrophic results. Moreover, the software must be up to date to minimize security vulnerabilities. Whichever CRM software is invested in would constantly work in revisiting and updating security measures to keep client information safe from hackers.

Lastly, companies that have invested in CRMs should secure their physical servers. These are usually located in a physical office space and should have limited access and be placed behind closed doors. Disabling the router’s SSID broadcast, and locking down the SSID in general, will grant protection from hackers, and IT teams should enable firewalls and other software updates that would otherwise be vulnerable.

Breathe…It Takes Time, But You Can Manage

Businesses that use CRM systems must acknowledge the tradeoff between the software’s convenience and potential security threats. If they place measures to prevent security threats, they should be able to use the software effectively and safely.

Diana Alexia Creations loves to share what they know. Learning about different CRM software and what can be done to ensure safety was hard for us, but we figured it out and are confident you can, too.

On another note, if you are looking for help with your content writing, Diana Alexia Creations is here to help. Check out our services, or contact us today. Let’s work together!