UK property businesses are under siege, with a 17% rise in cyber attacks last year. The Information Commissioner’s Office reports attacks jumped to 208 in 2025, up from 178 the previous year. Why the uptick? Well, property agents are now data goldmines, holding sensitive information like passports, bank details, and even mortgage info.
Karis Insurance warns that hackers are zeroing in on these treasure troves, targeting affluent clients and using tactics like ransomware and identity theft. With the new private rental landlord database adding even more data into the mix, the stakes are higher than ever.
The threat isn’t just theoretical. Data breaches can lead to payment diversion fraud, where hackers reroute funds during property transactions. Yikes! Karis highlights that property businesses often hold as much client data as banks do, but without the same level of security.
The message is clear: it’s time for the property industry to step up its cybersecurity game. Specialist insurance for data breaches is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. While financial services and law firms have long recognised the risks, property businesses need to catch up, pronto!
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