The Essential Steps to Dealership Cybersecurity

This article discusses the essential elements that make up your security posture. To keep your dealership safe, security measures must also adapt to the constantly changing cyber threat landscape. Being ready to protect against, stop, and identify new and continuing cyberattacks is essential for conducting business in this digital era.

Fremont, CA: Although the chances of a cyberattack rise annually, you can safeguard your business now and in the future by putting security measures in place and routinely reviewing them. 

The following crucial steps will improve cybersecurity:

Find an Appropriate Leader:

Assist your dealership in maintaining a secure posture by designating a person to oversee security measures. This is mandated by the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Safeguards Rule for dealers. Furthermore, this leader ought to:

● Limit administrative access to the dealership (changing system configurations, reset user passwords, etc.).

● Write a documented risk assessment, incident response plan, and reports for board members' senior management.

● Conduct recurring evaluations of the dealership's online stability to determine what needs to be adjusted.

Upgrade Your Programs and Safeguard Your Data:

Make sure that, in addition to your software, updates are available for your apps (Dealer Management System (DMS), Customer Relationship Management System (CRM), etc.), web browsers, and operating systems. Make a backup of your most crucial files outside the network, on an external hard drive, or in the cloud. Ensure that paper files are kept in a secure location.

Require Strong Passwords:

Every laptop, tablet, and smartphone should have a password. At least 12 characters, consisting of a mix of capital and small letters, numbers, symbols, and punctuation, should be used in a strong password. Passwords should never be reused or shared over email, texts, or phone calls in order to stop password-guessing attacks and limit the number of unsuccessful login attempts.

Encrypt Data:

Secure any sensitive or private data with encryption. Sensitive data on laptops, tablets, smartphones, portable devices, and cloud storage services should be secured at the source.

Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA):

Make MFA mandatory to access critical parts of your network. This will result in extra procedures beyond just inputting a password, including using a computer key or a temporary code on a smartphone. The FTC Safeguards Rule also requires MFA, which makes it significant.

Secure Routers, Endpoints and Remote Connectivity:

After configuring your router, change the default username and password, turn off remote management, and log out using administrator credentials. Please verify that the router is turned on and supports WPA2 or WPA3 encryption.

Data transmitted across your network is secured via encryption, making it unreadable by outsiders. Ensure your vendor contracts contain security clauses, particularly if the vendor will access your network remotely. Ensure your vendors abide by the FTC Safeguards Rule to preserve any personally identifiable data.

Dealerships should prioritize endpoint protection when it comes to network security since endpoints, which include laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and other devices, can be used as entry points by thieves into your network. Conduct penetration tests or system monitoring to determine if your infrastructure is vulnerable.