Issue link: https://hub.associaonline.com/i/986063
3 Essential Steps to Choosing the Right Technology Solution for Your Community When it comes to data security, it's critical to make sure your community is using the best technology available to protect your information. Before making any other decisions, your board needs to agree about what technology solution is best suited for your community. To ensure you choose the right technology solution, make sure your board takes the following steps: 1. READ EVERYTHING. Know what you're agreeing to when you're presented with user agreements, licensing agreements, and terms of service. Rather than immediately checking the box, this is a good time to consult your association's attorney. Decide who will be responsible for this as part of the implementation and ask them to present their findings to the board. 2. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. Take the time to understand how the company will use your data, store your data, and secure your data in the event that the company is sold or goes out of business. If the agreements are silent on these points, they're fair questions to ask the vendor. Designate a board or committee member to ask these questions and relay the answers. 3. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. Evaluate any technology vendor based on your potential long-term relationship. Your association doesn't benefit from working with a company who will be here today and gone tomorrow. It will find the greatest success with a true partner who is committed to helping your community thrive for years to come. Discuss this point among your board when considering different vendors. While technology is becoming more ubiquitous in our increasingly digital world, some advancements may not align with board members' obligations to protect their communities and homeowners, and that remains the board's primary responsibility now and in the future. Before your board adopts any solution, look before you leap.