BLOG Dealer management cannot ignore cyber security

Given the increasing shift towards digital interaction in motor retail over recent years, it is perhaps inevitable that we have also seen a surge in cybercrime in the sector. The problem has only been heightened by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with cyber criminals exploiting vulnerable people and businesses.

There is a large volume of valuable customer data now being held by multiple parties across our industry, increasing the importance for all parties to have appropriate technical and procedural safeguards, and ensure staff are trained to tackle potential risks.

As part of the BMW Group, ALPHERA continues to invest significantly in a continuous programme of comprehensive staff training, to help us identify and address key threats, such as phishing emails. With 96% of data breaches originating from email, phishing simulation training increases staff vigilance.

We constantly monitor and update our own systems to ensure that security measures are in place and are upgraded in a timely manner. In addition, our staff training programme is always evolving to keep pace with the ever-changing techniques used by hackers.

In today’s digital world, no-one can ignore cybersecurity. Within dealerships, ongoing awareness training and risk management measures have become essential to ensure cybercrime risks remain front-of-mind for every employee. A single breach can expose the personal information of many thousands of people. As well as financial consequences, these breaches can cause significant and long-lasting reputational harm for every business – from solus sites to multi-brand national groups.

Crucially, we expect that it will also become an important part of the sales process to take appropriate steps to safeguard customer information and make it clear that you are doing so. As concerns about data security become more widespread, it’s increasingly likely that consumers will select and remain loyal to those retailers that are best able to protect data in a proactive manner, applying industry best practice in compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks.

Andy Hayter is manager, information security at ALPHERA Financial Services