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The Growing Cybersecurity Threat to Self-Storage

As self-storage facilities increasingly adopt cloud-based property management platforms, remote access controls, smart locks, and tenant-facing portals, the threat surface for cyberattacks has expanded dramatically. What was once a purely physical business now relies heavily on digital infrastructure—and that digital presence must be protected.

Unfortunately, the self-storage industry is often siloed when it comes to cybersecurity practices. Companies may be reluctant to share breach attempts, system vulnerabilities, or access control failures out of fear of reputational harm. But the truth is, when it comes to cybersecurity, isolation is risk. Collaboration is resilience.

Why Information Sharing Matters

Imagine a scenario where a major operator experiences a phishing attack targeting site managers, tricking them into revealing access credentials. If that company alerts others in the industry—even anonymously—other operators can prepare their staff, patch vulnerabilities, and avoid similar breaches. That one act of transparency can protect hundreds of facilities and thousands of tenants.

Cybercriminals often use the same tactics across multiple businesses and locations. By sharing intelligence, we can collectively learn from each incident and respond proactively.

Key Benefits of Cybersecurity Information Sharing

• Early Threat Detection: Sharing indicators of compromise (IOCs) can help others recognize similar patterns in their systems.

• Access Control Best Practices: Exchanging real-world data on how digital gate systems, smart locks, and credentialing methods are being attacked or bypassed can directly inform better defenses.

• Vendor Accountability: If multiple operators flag issues with a particular cloud-based vendor’s security controls, it applies pressure for that vendor to implement stronger protections across the board.

• Incident Response Improvement: Understanding how others respond to ransomware or unauthorized access attempts can improve your own incident response plans.

Creating a Culture of Cyber Collaboration

Here’s how we can begin fostering a security-first, community-driven culture:

1. Join or Form Regional Info-Sharing Groups
   Create peer groups of operators, IT professionals, and cybersecurity personnel to confidentially share incidents, attempted breaches, and threat indicators.

2. Engage with ISS and SSA Cyber Panels
   Advocate for cybersecurity-focused panels or working groups through Inside Self Storage and the Self Storage Association to centralize threat intelligence.

3. Standardize Reporting Practices
   Develop a uniform format for incident reports and access system vulnerabilities to make sharing more consistent and actionable.

4. Use Anonymized Threat Sharing Platforms
   Leverage platforms like ISACs (Information Sharing and Analysis Centers) or even private forums to distribute information without revealing your organization’s identity.

Fortifying Access Control Technology Together

Access control is a critical vulnerability in the self-storage industry. If a smart gate system can be bypassed, or an app-based lock can be hacked, your tenants’ property—and your reputation—is on the line.

Information sharing can lead to:

• Improved firmware and software updates across vendors.

• Identification of insecure Bluetooth/NFC implementations.

• Lessons learned from physical tailgating combined with digital access spoofing.

• Smarter, layered access protocols—such as geofencing, time-based codes, and biometric multi-factor authentication.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity is not a competitive advantage—it’s a collective responsibility. The more open we are about the threats we face, the stronger our defenses become. The self-storage industry must evolve beyond isolated IT strategies and toward a united, informed defense posture.

By working together—sharing knowledge, strategies, and warnings—we can better protect our facilities, our tenants, and our future.