The Rising Tide of Cybercrime: Why CAMs Can’t Ignore Payment Security in 2026
Hurricanes, floods, wildfires—community association management companies are used to planning for visible, physical threats. Boards budget for preventative maintenance, conduct inspections, and act early because they know it’s always more costly to wait until something breaks or goes awry. Today, CAMs and associations face another growing risk that isn’t always as visible but can be just as disruptive: cyberattacks.
Cybercrime has evolved into a $9.5 trillion global economy—the world’s third-largest—accelerated by artificial intelligence and increasingly focused on payment systems. CAM companies manage millions of dollars in transactions with lean teams and legacy processes, making them prime targets for bad actors.
The risk isn’t just financial loss; it’s operational disruption, regulatory exposure, and erosion of homeowner trust. Treating payment security with the same urgency as any other disaster risk is essential.
The Rising Tide of Cybercrime
Artificial intelligence has dramatically lowered the barrier to entry for cyber attackers, allowing them to automate reconnaissance, generate highly personalized phishing campaigns, and launch thousands of simultaneous breach attempts; AI-powered tools can now compromise up to 81% of common passwords within a month. The threat landscape is faster, more scalable, and more difficult to defend against than ever before.
Companies that manage high volumes of financial transactions and rely on interconnected software and vendors face an expanding attack surface. Industry research shows that most organizations are already struggling to keep pace. According to Accenture’s latest State of Cybersecurity report, 63% fall into what researchers call the “Exposed Zone,” lacking the strategy and safeguards needed to protect systems and customers.
Why CAMs Are Particularly at Risk
CAM companies sit at the intersection of high transaction volume and limited technical infrastructure. Many operate with lean teams, legacy payment processes, and a patchwork of software integrations—while managing millions of dollars in payments. That combination makes them a field day for attackers looking for weaknesses to exploit.
Real-world incidents show how quickly small gaps can escalate into major exposure. As Gabriel Valentino, Director of Payment Adoption at CINC Systems, explains:
“I recently worked with a CAM company whose email system was compromised. Before migrating to CINC Systems, they had been using email to collect and transfer ACH information. What started as a simple breach quickly escalated into a full review of their cybersecurity controls and insurance coverage.”
Besides creating financial risk, incidents like these can disrupt operations, trigger compliance concerns, and erode homeowner trust.
Why Payments Are a Primary Target
CAM payment systems are one of the most attractive entry points for cybercriminals, combining sensitive financial data, frequent transactions, and multiple access points—from homeowners and vendors to banks and internal staff. A successful breach can result in immediate financial loss and lasting access to valuable data.
Yet many payment processes still rely on methods that weren’t designed for today’s threat landscape, including paper checks and ACH programs that require collecting and storing bank account numbers. Each adds another point of exposure. Strengthening payment security is one of the most direct and effective ways CAM leaders can reduce organizational risk in 2026.
From Risk Awareness to Practical Action
Our latest whitepaper breaks down the modern payment threat landscape for CAMs and outlines concrete best practices to reduce exposure, protect homeowner data, and strengthen operational resilience. Download “Redefining Secure Payments” to learn more.
Whether you’re an existing CINC customer looking to increase digital payment adoption or a CAM company exploring best practices, CINC is here to help! Get in touch with a payments expert here.