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Colorado Auto & Truck Dealers’ Blueprint for Consumer Privacy

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Car salesman working on computer

When Colorado’s state legislature introduced their current consumer data privacy law back in 2018, it was hailed as one of the strictest in the country. Now that assessment feels quaint, as dozens of other states have passed — or are working on — data privacy laws that equal or surpass Colorado’s in terms of toughness. 

Still, Colorado’s law — officially known as House Bill 18-1128 — places the burden of consumer privacy squarely on businesses, and opens the door to fines and lawsuits for non-compliance. 

And, unlike other state laws such as California’s CCPA, the Colorado law doesn’t make any exemptions for small businesses. 

Auto and truck dealers are especially susceptible to cyber attacks and data breaches. Dealers in Colorado should familiarize themselves with the law, ensure they are in compliance, and if not, take steps to update their cybersecurity as quickly as possible.

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Invest in Technology to Boost Employee Engagement and Retention

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woman on computer screen

Employee turnover continues to be a challenge for dealerships. Cox Automotive recently published an interesting study on dealership staffing. One-third of dealership employees do not feel engaged or excited about their jobs, and 20% are likely to look for another job in the next six months. According to the study, the top driver of employee … Read more

Files Held Hostage! Should You Pay The Ransom?

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If your dealership gets hit with a ransomware attack, should you pay the ransom? The answer is no. According to a recent Emsisoft report, one-third of U.S. companies that have experienced a ransomware incident have paid the ransom. This is unfortunate, because paying the ransom encourages continued attacks. Additionally, you have no idea what cybercriminals … Read more

When it Comes to Consumer Privacy, what are Reasonable Measures?

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Reasonable Measures Blog

Requirements in recent consumer data privacy laws are causing confusion and unnecessary expense for dealers. For example, on January 1st, the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) became law. The legislation requires companies to have “reasonable security” in place to protect sensitive consumer information. However, it fails to define what these reasonable measures are. As an … Read more

Erik Nachbahr’s 4-Point Auto Dealer Security Analysis

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Cybersecurity isn’t something that most dealership owners and managers think about on a daily basis. But when network protection lands on the back burner, sensitive customer data can be put at risk. That can lead to costly incidents for auto and truck dealerships.  A ransomware attack can cost millions and lead to outages that shut … Read more

Safe Selling: Digital Marketing in Post-CCPA California

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palm trees

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security (SHIELD) Act, and other privacy laws are making customers more aware of the value of their data.  Data breaches have always had a significant impact on dealerships’ reputations, but emerging legislation and increased media coverage have taken … Read more

The Truck and Auto Dealer’s CCPA Preparation Checklist

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Cybercrime is the fastest-growing crime in the U.S. and has sparked a consumer data privacy revolution. Laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and New York’s Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security (SHIELD) Act are changing the way businesses collect, store, and share consumer information. The CCPA takes effect in January, 2020, and … Read more

Accounting Personnel, Don’t Fall for this W-2 Scam

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W2 income tax form

Tax season is nearly here, so it’s time to be on the alert for cyberattacks that target accounting office personnel. The IRS recently issued a warning that specifically mentions W-2 scams. The last few years have seen a significant rise in this type of phishing scam that begins with an innocent-looking email. A cybercriminal poses … Read more

How a Data Security Breach Could Sink Your Dealership

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shipwreck underwater image

Let’s say there are only two Ford dealers in particular city, and both dealerships sell the same cars at virtually the same price. How do customers in the area choose which dealership to purchase from? As it turns out, the most likely deal-breaker in this scenario is reputation — 59% of consumers use it to … Read more