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  • 1.  Cyber Security in the Self Storage Industry

    Posted 11-15-2024 02:32 PM

    I just returned from the Oklahoma Self Storage Association conference and trade show, and one thing stood out: cybersecurity for self-storage facilities isn't getting the attention it deserves. When I brought up the topic, it felt like uncharted territory-something few in the industry are discussing.

    It's time to change that. Cybersecurity is critical to protecting facility operations and safeguarding both active and archived tenant information. The risks are real, but so are the opportunities to implement meaningful solutions.

    We need to start this conversation now and work together to create a safer path forward for our industry.

    Are cybersecurity concerns being discussed in your self-storage circles? Let's talk.



    ------------------------------
    Justin Small, US Air Force (Retired)
    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
    IT AND CYBER SECURITY DIRECTOR
    Diamond Self Storage Management, LLC

    Call/Text: (281) 742-0323
    Email/Zoom: justin@diamondselfstorage.net
    Website: http://www.diamondselfstorage.net
    Cyber Security: http://cybersecurity.diamondselfstorage.net

    Now offering cyber security and IT consulting for your self-storage facility! Contact me for more info!
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Cyber Security in the Self Storage Industry

    Posted 11-16-2024 08:45 AM
    we have tried call centers in the past, and we have found that we can get a virtual assistant in the Philippines train that person have them do other duties for our company and answer the phone after training them on the software for both our truck rental business, and our storage business which other call centers cannot do and we will pay that virtual assistant less money per month than a call center with limited number of calls.

    David Fisher
    281-794-2361 (direct)



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Cyber Security in the Self Storage Industry

    Posted 11-17-2024 08:06 AM
    I like the idea of hiring someone from the Phillipines and or having more than one person answering the calls - really just having control over the call center piece. Not exactly sure how to set that up. Do you have calls roll over to someone else if that person is not available?

    My biggest concern with this model is that people in smaller towns or Americans in general have challenges with talking and or working with people with different dialects. Any issues there?


    --
    Sincerely,

    Scott Smith | Managing Partner
    Visionary Asset Management, LLC
    Self Storage Investments, Owner/Operator 

                        



     



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Cyber Security in the Self Storage Industry

    Posted 11-17-2024 10:21 AM
    I'm curious about this as well.  I have some of the same questions regarding language barrier. 





    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Cyber Security in the Self Storage Industry

    Posted 11-17-2024 10:30 AM
    The way we do it is we assign a softphone umber to kep employees and our VA in the Philippines.
    The VA has been with us well over a year and what she's been doing so far is she's been working on rate shopping locally with a list that we provider of local competitive facilities, she also looks at our customers and calls asking for reviews and so since we've had, our reviews have skyrocketed. Now we're implementing a system where she is going to be going and answering phone calls so essentially at the second or third ring, the phone call will ring to our manager, our owners, and our VA simultaneously and whoever picks it up, can handle the call based on the fact that some people may not be in the office and we wanna make sure that every call is answered promptly, and that the people that answer it have the ability to get into the system and assist the customer. So ideally the virtual assistant in the Philippines, who speaks really good English and most Filipinos do speak really good English will be able to go into the system. Take a reservation take a payment and if there's any questions that they cannot help with, they will indicate that a manager will call him back. Since we do rental trucks as well they're able to get in and take a reservation change a reservation or cancel a reservation and again if there's questions they cannot answer then they will indicate that a manager will call them back.
    When they need a manager, they will text or call directly to the appropriate person and get that callback done quickly.
    Topics of needing a manager to call back may be the question of waving late fees, or anything that comes up with regards to an issue on site that needs direct intervention between the manager and the tenant.

    David Fisher
    281-794-2361 (direct)



    Original Message