The current sophistication and volume of cyber threats requires more than just firewalls and antivirus software. Vulnerability management introduces the proactive process of identifying, prioritising, and fixing weaknesses in your IT environment before attackers can exploit them.
Without it, businesses of all sizes – especially those in fast-moving sectors like PropTech – are left exposed. From outdated systems and poorly configured devices to forgotten third-party plugins, even one overlooked gap can cause significant damage.
The recent cyber-attack that stole the data of all 6.5 million Co-op members is a timely reminder of what’s at stake when vulnerabilities go unchecked. For property tech companies, where digital platforms and connected devices are the norm, strong cyber security practices are essential.
As the PropTech industry continues to grow and evolve, so too must the strategies that protect it. This is exactly the conversation Redinet CTO James McMillian will be taking to PropTech Connect on September 3rd–4th: Europe’s largest real estate tech event. In this blog, we’ll explore why vulnerability management should be a top priority for 2025 and what steps businesses can take to get ahead.
What Is Vulnerability Management, and Why Is It Important?
Vulnerability management is a crucial part of any modern cyber security strategy. In simple terms, it’s the process of identifying security weaknesses in your IT environment – whether in devices, applications, networks, or cloud systems – and resolving them before they’re exploited by attackers.
Rather than a one-time fix, vulnerability management is an ongoing cycle that includes:
- Scanning – for potential issues across your infrastructure
- Prioritising – those issues based on risk and exposure
- Patching or remediating – vulnerabilities as quickly as possible
- Monitoring – to ensure nothing is missed going forward
What makes it so valuable in 2025 is the sheer speed and volume at which cyber threats emerge, with the number of cybersecurity incidents tripling in the Level Blue 2025 Threat Trends Report. Attackers are constantly scanning the internet for systems with known vulnerabilities.
For fast-growing sectors like PropTech, where technology is evolving quickly and systems are often interconnected, vulnerability management is especially important. It helps property tech companies stay ahead of potential risks, reduce downtime, and maintain trust with tenants and stakeholders.
The Co-op Breach: A Warning Against Complacency
In April 2025, the Co-op became one of several major UK organisations impacted by a sophisticated cyber-attack believed to be linked to the same group behind the earlier M&S incident. While specific technical details remain limited, the breach reportedly led to operational disruption and the compromise of their members’ personal data – reminding businesses once again how far-reaching the consequences of a single vulnerability can be.
What stands out about this attack is how it followed a familiar pattern: a weakness in internal systems was exploited through social engineering, allowing attackers to move through the network and access sensitive information. It’s another example of how today’s cyber threats are not just opportunistic; they’re targeted, calculated, and increasingly difficult to detect in time.
For property tech companies, the lesson is clear. Without structured cyber security processes like vulnerability management in place, it’s all too easy for one overlooked weakness, whether in your own systems or a supplier’s, to become the entry point for a major breach.
Why PropTech Is Especially Vulnerable
PropTech continues to reshape the way buildings are managed, operated, and experienced, but its fast-paced innovation often outpaces the adoption of basic cyber security practices. From IoT devices and cloud-based access systems to tenant apps and building automation platforms, the typical property tech company relies on a vast and complex digital ecosystem.
This complexity brings with it increased risk. Many PropTech platforms are built on interconnected tools – some new, some legacy – all sharing data and access points. Without a clear vulnerability management process in place, identifying and prioritising weaknesses across these systems becomes a major challenge.
What makes the situation more difficult is visibility. If businesses don’t know what devices or software are in use, or where the weak links are, they can’t take meaningful steps to protect them. And in a sector where uptime, data accuracy, and tenant trust are critical, the impact of a successful cyber-attack can be immediate and damaging.
With events like PropTech Connect – where our CTO James McMillan will be speaking – placing increasing focus on security and resilience, it’s clear that the industry is recognising the stakes. But awareness alone isn’t enough. Vulnerability management gives property tech companies the practical foundation to reduce risk and respond to cyber threats before they escalate.
Best Practices for Managing Vulnerabilities in 2025
For property tech companies, vulnerability management is a proactive discipline that underpins everything from operational continuity to customer trust.
Here are some key steps to get it right:
- Know what you’re working with: Maintain a current inventory of devices, applications, and systems, especially across cloud services and connected building infrastructure.
- Run regular vulnerability scans: Automated tools can help identify known weaknesses across your environment, from outdated software to misconfigured devices.
- Prioritise based on risk: Not all vulnerabilities pose the same level of threat. Focus first on those with the greatest potential impact, especially those linked to remote access or critical business operations.
- Patch consistently and efficiently: Apply security updates as soon as they’re available. Where systems can’t be patched immediately, apply compensating controls and monitor closely.
- Don’t overlook third-party risk: Vet suppliers carefully and ensure contracts include minimum cyber security requirements. You can inherit their weaknesses just as easily as your own.
- Educate your teams: Make sure everyone understands their role in keeping systems secure, especially those managing tenant data, IoT devices, or cloud-based platforms.
- Document and monitor: Keep clear records of what’s been scanned, what’s been patched, and what’s still outstanding. Ongoing monitoring ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
At Redinet, we work with businesses across the UK to turn these best practices into day-to-day processes, building security into the foundations of innovation.
From Overlooked to Oversight
As attackers grow more sophisticated and supply chains become more complex, businesses that overlook even small weaknesses may find themselves facing serious operational or reputational damage.
For fast-moving industries like PropTech, where innovation depends on a stable, secure foundation, this is especially important. Unpatched systems, outdated software, and poorly managed third-party tools all represent risks that can be actively reduced with the right processes in place.
The good news? Vulnerability management isn’t about perfection; it’s about visibility, consistency, and response. With a structured, strategic approach, property tech companies can strengthen their cyber security posture and face emerging cyber threats with confidence.
If you’re attending PropTech Connect on September 3rd – 4th, don’t miss the chance to hear from Redinet CTO James McMillian as he shares insight on how to build a proactive defence against today’s evolving threats. Get in touch with us today to ask us any questions you might have about PropTech and vulnerability management.
