A practical way to monitor, track, and enforce MLS data use
Managing listing data today means more than approving access and hoping for the best. Multiple listing organizations are expected to move quickly on data license requests, support a growing ecosystem of vendors and brokers, and still maintain clear oversight of how their data is used over time. Without continuous visibility and an audit trail, even well-intentioned data sharing can turn into risk.
That’s why modern data distribution requires built-in monitoring, tracking, and enforcement—so multiple listing staff can approve connections with confidence and maintain control long after access is granted.
That’s where Trestle Defender™ by Cotality™ comes in. Built directly into the Trestle™ data distribution platform, Trestle Defender uses patented monitoring and enforcement technology to provide multiple listing organizations with continuous monitoring, tracking, and auditability across every data licensing relationship. It supports faster, more consistent license approvals while maintaining ongoing oversight of how listing data is accessed and used. Included at no additional cost as part of Trestle, Defender helps multiple listing organizations protect data integrity, document compliance, and manage risk without adding operational complexity.
Both Trestle and Trestle Defender are provided at no cost to MLSs. Speak to our team today!
1. Know who has access—and why
Every data connection begins with a licensing decision. Trestle Defender tracks approved data licensees and their authorized use, creating a clear record of who is permitted to access listing data and under what terms. This foundation makes it easier to manage relationships over time and reduces uncertainty as vendors, brokers, and use cases evolve.
2. Monitor usage as data moves
Once a connection is live, Trestle Defender continuously tracks data access and activity. Usage patterns are monitored to help identify:
- Access that no longer aligns with approved licensing terms
- Credentials that have expired or should no longer be active
- Unusual or unexpected activity that may require review
This tracking happens in the background automatically, providing ongoing oversight without adding manual work for multiple listing staff.
3. Surface what matters—without noise
Not every data event requires action. Trestle Defender helps prioritize attention by flagging activity that may present risk and organizing it within a centralized view. Rather than combing through raw logs, multiple listing organizations can focus on what warrants review, investigation, or follow-up.
4. Support investigations with clear records
When questions arise, tracking data becomes critical. Trestle Defender uses data seeding to help detect illicit data usage and maintains an auditable history of access and activity, supporting internal reviews and compliance discussions. This record helps multiple listing organizations understand what occurred, document findings, and take appropriate next steps with confidence.
5. Strengthen decisions with shared intelligence
Tracking doesn’t stop at a single organization. Through built-in risk analysis, Trestle Defender provides visibility into third-party behavior that has been flagged or reported elsewhere in the MLS universe. This shared intelligence supports more informed licensing decisions and helps avoid repeat issues across markets.
6. Maintain oversight without slowing the business
The goal of tracking is not to create friction; it’s to support responsible data use at scale. By embedding monitoring, auditability, and risk awareness directly into the Trestle platform, Trestle Defender helps multiple listing organizations maintain control while continuing to support brokers, technology partners, and data innovation.
Explore Trestle for your MLS
Both Trestle and Trestle Defender are provided at no cost to MLSs, delivering built-in monitoring, oversight, and compliance from day one. Beyond protecting data integrity, Trestle can help multiple listing organizations create new non-dues revenue opportunities, while also providing critical redundancy to support business continuity.
