July 2, 2025
Author: Kat Calejo
Manufactured housing communities aren’t what most people picture when they think of cyberattack targets, but they should be.
These communities rely on digital systems to manage everything from resident payments to gate access. But with limited IT staff (if any) and minimal cybersecurity protocols in place, they’re becoming increasingly attractive to attackers looking for easy wins.
And the cost of a breach? It’s not just financial. It’s operational disruption, legal exposure, and lost trust from residents who expect their personal data and homes to be secure.
If you manage or support one of these communities, now is the time to take cybersecurity seriously before an attacker forces your hand.
In this blog, we’ll walk through why manufactured housing communities are vulnerable, the types of threats they face, and most importantly, what you can do to protect yours.
Why manufactured housing communities are vulnerable
It’s not that manufactured housing communities are careless; it’s that they’ve historically flown under the radar. But as larger targets invest more heavily in cybersecurity, attackers are shifting focus to smaller, underserved environments that are easier to exploit.
Many manufactured housing communities are managed by small teams or property management firms juggling multiple responsibilities. Cybersecurity often falls to the bottom of the list or gets outsourced without much oversight. There’s rarely a dedicated IT person on-site, and even less likely, someone monitoring for threats in real time.
Add to that a growing reliance on tech like online payment portals, resident databases, smart locks, remote access systems, and you’ve got a recipe for risk. Without proper controls in place, even one weak password or unpatched system can open the door for attackers.
And because these communities don’t always see themselves as a target, they’re often unprepared when an incident does happen. It’s not just about prevention anymore; it’s about building resilience into the systems that keep your community running day to day.
Common cyber threats facing manufactured housing communities
The threats facing these communities aren’t theoretical; they’re happening right now, and they’re getting more sophisticated by the day.
The most common attacks we see don’t need advanced hacking skills. They rely on human error, outdated systems, and a lack of visibility.
Phishing is one of the biggest culprits. All it takes is one employee clicking a fake invoice or login link, and suddenly, attackers have access to your systems. From there, they can lock down your data with ransomware, steal sensitive resident information, or move laterally through your network without detection.
Smart devices—like security cameras, HVAC systems, or automated gates—are another weak point. If they’re not properly secured, they can become an open door for anyone on the internet.
And because many of these devices run on outdated firmware, they’re rarely patched or monitored.
Then there’s the risk of unsecured remote access. If a property manager logs in from home using weak credentials or an unprotected network, they could unknowingly hand over control of critical systems to an attacker.
The point: these threats are real, and they’re already at your doorstep. The question isn’t if an attempt will happen, it’s whether or not you’ll be ready when it does.
The real-world impact of a breach
Let’s talk about what actually happens when a manufactured housing community gets hit. Because it’s not just an IT issue, it’s a full-blown operational crisis.
Suddenly, residents can’t pay rent online. Gate systems stop working. Sensitive personal data—like Social Security numbers, banking info, and lease agreements—might be exposed.
And if ransomware is involved, you could be locked out of your systems entirely unless you pay a hefty fee (with no guarantee you’ll get your data back).
Beyond the technical mess, there’s the human side: the calls from angry or scared residents, the internal scramble to figure out what went wrong, and the gut-punch of realizing it could’ve been prevented.
Then come the legal headaches. Depending on your state and the type of data compromised, you might be required to notify residents, file breach reports, or even deal with fines and lawsuits. Not to mention the reputational hit, because once trust is gone, it’s hard to rebuild.
And all of this can happen in a matter of hours.
The bottom line? A breach doesn’t just interrupt operations; it shakes the foundation of your community’s stability. That’s why cybersecurity can’t be treated like an afterthought. It’s a business essential.
Moral of the story? Don’t wait until it’s too late
There are a lot of different avenues you can take when protecting your community, but the best first step you can make is working with a managed IT services provider like us.
At Network Thinking Solutions, we help manufactured housing communities get ahead of threats before they become problems. From proactive monitoring and patch management to phishing prevention, secure backups, and smart network design, we take the IT burden off your plate so you can focus on running your community with confidence.
You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to stay protected, you just need the right partner.
If you’re ready to get serious about security, let’s talk. We’ll help you build a plan that’s tailored to your needs, scalable for the future, and built to keep your residents—and your reputation—safe.