customer personal information

Firewall & Antivirus Software Isn’t Enough

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cartoon-criminal-face

Many dealerships are under the impression that simply having a firewall and antivirus software deployed is a solid cyber defense – they’re incorrect.  Cybercrime is now big, big business and it’s rare that the cybercriminal is ever caught and prosecuted.  As a result, cybercrime has attracted highly sophisticated and well-funded criminals into this lucrative industry.  … Read more

Signs of an Impending Ransomware Attack

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Cyber Attack Ahead Sign

The point at which the cybercriminal emerges and demands ransom is the endgame of a cyber-attack – not the beginning.  The key to minimizing – or even eliminating – the impact that a cyber-attack can have on your dealership is to detect the attack early in its lifecycle.  To do this you need the right … Read more

Banning Payments To Ransomware Attackers Gaining Momentum

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costs of a ransomware attack

Unfortunately, many businesses have not properly invested in the cybersecurity best practices that are required to effectively defend against a cyberattack.  For many businesses, their defense of choice has been either to: Bury their heads in the sand and hope the cybercriminal stays away. Get cyber insurance and just pass the risk onto the insurer. … Read more

Should You Make A Ransomware Payment?

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Ransom Image

According to the Harvard Business Review, in 2020 ransomware attacks grew 150% from 2019 and the amount that victims paid increased by more than 300%!  As a result of the ransomware onslaught, we are all exposed to what feels like a constant stream of ransomware related horror stories.  And, unfortunately, the reality is that for … Read more

The California Privacy Rights Act Passes – CCPA 2.0

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cpra-transparent

The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) passed on November 3, 2020.  This new law amends the existing California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and it significantly strengthens this legislation. One addition brought about by passage of the CPRA is the creation of a new government agency called the California Privacy Protection Agency which is “vested with … Read more

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Enforcement & What It Means For Dealers Nationwide

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data-security

CCPA is a California state law intended to enhance the privacy rights and consumer protection for its residence.  A key aspect of the CCPA is that businesses take “reasonable measures” to secure consumers’ personal and identifiable information (PII) – such as names, addresses, social security numbers, credit card numbers, credit scores, and bank account numbers. … Read more

Cybersecurity, Productivity And Customer Loyalty All Having Something In Common – Technology

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Tech is mission critical

Coronavirus has heightened our need to rethink and retool the way we operate our businesses.    The reality is that things are very different – and they are unlikely to ever return to the way they were in the past.    We can either do something about our new reality or we can stick our heads in … Read more

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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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