Data Security & Liability

September 7, 2022 | Josh Noonan

If customer information is stolen from your database, it may put your customers at risk, so could they hold you personally liable? Does your Insurer require you to have multi-factor authentication or disclose known risks, such as security vulnerabilities in older software? 

The Australian Government issued an alert in February 2022 calling for “organisations to urgently adopt an enhanced cyber security posture” (see www.cyber.gov.au), recommending patching applications & devices, adding multi-factor authentication & regular backups to cloud or external drive.

I found an interesting article here about what action is expected of a company director in this area, and their personal liability for their customers’ loss. Many companies have “cyber” insurance for this particular risk, and the questions asked by the insurer may also indicate the action expected of an organisation. Are you insured for data breach? Does your insurer ask you any of the following questions at renewal?

  • Is the Insured aware of any matter that is reasonably likely to give rise to any loss or claim?
  • Is multi-factor authentication required for any remote access to the Insured’s systems (eg. Cloud based applications)?
  • Are records held overseas?

Vulnerabilities, like one announced in April this year (which enables unauthorised access to your computers) might be considered reasonably likely to give rise to a loss or claim, so regular updates to your Act! software are essential.

Our Maintenance plan includes expert installation of the latest Act! version every year, plus untimed Act! error resolution for that install for up to 1 year, to help avoid unexpected support costs.

Of course an Act! subscription is required to access ongoing updates, and discounts are currently available for customers with prior Act! versions.

If you access Act! via a web browser, we offer Multi-Factor Authentication to keep your data safe, and may even reduce your insurance premium.

We can also move your Act! database to the cloud (hosted in Australia or New Zealand) – for automatic cloud backup & uninterrupted access – via web browser, mobile app, or optional sync to laptops/desktops for offline access.

Does your Act! database have a password policy & limit the permissions of each user to suit their role? Permission to export, backup or delete data should be limited to the users required to perform those tasks.

Read more about our Data Security options and please contact us or your local consultant if you have any questions.

A final word from Act Today

If this page made you pause and think about how you manage your client relationships, that’s a good start.

Most businesses don’t struggle because they lack effort. They struggle because their systems don’t quite support the way they actually work. That’s where the right CRM setup can make a real difference.

Everything we share about Act! Advantage comes from working with businesses across Australia and New Zealand who want to retain clients, improve communication, and make better decisions from their data.

If you’d like more practical insights about CRM, client retention, and running a smarter client database, you’re welcome to explore the Act Today resources and articles.

And if you’d like to see how Act! Advantage could work in your business, we’d be glad to walk you through it.

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Set Up Properly, Decide with Confidence

The 28-day extended trial is designed for businesses that want to experience Act! Advantage working inside their business, not just explore features.

To access the extended trial, you’ll book an initial session with an Act Today consultant based in Australia or New Zealand. During this session, we’ll help you set up three key CRM functions that matter most to your business, such as client follow-ups, communication workflows, retention tracking, or referral visibility.

At the 14-day mark, you’ll have a second check-in with your consultant to answer questions, refine your setup, and remove any roadblocks. This ensures you’re not left guessing and that the system is actually supporting your work.

By the end of the 28 days, you’ll know exactly how Act! Advantage fits your business and whether it delivers real value.

What you’ll get from the 28-day extended trial:

  • Guided setup by a local Act Today CRM consultant
  • Three high-impact CRM functions configured for your business
  • A mid-trial review to answer questions and fine-tune usage
  • A realistic view of outcomes, not just features
  • Confidence to decide based on real experience
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Get Hands-On with Act! Advantage CRM

The 14-day free trial gives you full access to Act! Advantage CRM so you can explore how it works in your own time. This is the standard Act! trial used by businesses across Australia and New Zealand who want to see the platform before making a decision.

During the trial, you can add contacts, explore client records, test communication tools, and see how Act! Advantage handles day-to-day client management. It’s a straightforward way to understand how the system is structured and whether it feels right for how you run your business.

This option suits businesses that are comfortable exploring software independently and already have a clear idea of what they want from a CRM. There’s no obligation, no setup required, and no pressure,  just time to assess fit.

What you’ll get from the 14-day free trial:

  • Full access to Act! Advantage CRM features
  • A clear look at how contacts, activities, and communication are managed
  • The ability to test the system across desktop and mobile
  • A simple, no-commitment way to assess fit
  • Confidence before taking the next step
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