The Compliance Illusion: Auto Dealerships, FTC Safeguards Rule, and the Reality of Cybersecurity

illusionist

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Safeguards Rule and cyber liability insurance requirements are putting immense pressure on auto dealerships to secure their sensitive data.  Seeking an easy, inexpensive solution, many have been tempted by the allure of a “magic pill.”  But here’s the stark truth: there is no such thing. A prime example of this … Read more

A Self-Assessment Cautionary Tale

self-assessment

Many dealerships have been falsely led to believe that FTC compliance can be satisfied with checklists and self-assessments completed by those with limited – if any – technical cybersecurity training and expertise.  This is not the case and the consequences of this approach to cybersecurity, FTC compliance, and in securing cyber liability insurance can be … Read more

The Power of Cybersecurity Context

context

Auto dealerships have become prime targets for cyberattacks. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into every aspect of selling and servicing cars and trucks, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more critical. While many dealerships rely on traditional security controls like firewalls, vulnerability scans, and endpoint tools, these alone are not sufficient to … Read more

The Clock is Ticking – Why Upgrading to Windows 11 is Crucial

clicking time bomb

Update, October 2026: Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, and paid Extended Security Updates Year 1 for business PCs ends October 13, 2026. For current dates, costs, and a store-by-store plan, read our Windows 10 Extended Security Updates action plan for dealerships. Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will end on … Read more

A Secure Solution For Dealerships To Receive Customer Files

Secure File Transfer

Dealerships face challenges when it comes to securely receiving customer files. Often, employees ask customers to send files via text, email, or other unsecured methods.  This will violate the new FTC Safeguards Rule’s regulations regarding the secure transfer, storage, and restricted access of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). However, there’s an easy solution to this problem … Read more

The Right Way To Do MFA

Multi-Factor Authentication

As the incidence, severity, and sophistication of today’s cyber threats continues to grow, the appropriate use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) is becoming increasingly important.  Add to this that new government regulations – like the FTC Safeguards Rule – now requires that businesses implement MFA.  The result is a lot of confusion, inefficiency, and quite frankly … Read more

Cybersecurity Best Practices, Cyber Liability Insurance, & Compliance

cyber-security-best-practices

The cyber liability insurance market is in turmoil.  Insurers found themselves exposed to a significant increase in the volume and severity of ransomware attacks that they didn’t foresee.  As a result, cyber insurers have experienced record losses.  This has led to a hardening of the cyber liability insurance market where insurers are now providing less … Read more

Trouble Getting Cyber Liability Insurance?

cyber liability insurance

For businesses of all sizes, the threat and financial impact of a cyberattack is rising.   Many businesses are looking to cyber liability insurance to help.  But the increasing demand for cyber liability insurance, and a tightening supply, has resulted in soaring premiums and a stricter approval/renewal process.  For instance, according to Marsh’s November 2021 Cyber … Read more

The Value Of An Incident Response Plan & What It Can Do For A Dealership

Hand hold wooden cube with PLAN word. The concept of planning in business.

When it comes to cybercrime, it’s important to realize that this threat has the potential to not only damage your ability to generate revenue but also to punch a gaping hole in your dealership’s reputation.  Remember, when it comes to buying cars, 84% of those surveyed said that they would NOT buy from a dealership … Read more