The Hidden Security Gaps Putting Dealers At Risk

Dealers face growing pressure to protect customer information while keeping up with an increasingly complex web of compliance requirements. But according to Hunter Giambra, Founder and President of Hurricane IT Solutions, and Andy Graff, Chief Operating Officer of ComplyAuto, many dealerships still have significant gaps between what they believe is protected and what is actually happening inside their stores. In part two of a three-part series on Inside Automotive, we welcome back Giambra and welcome Graff, to explore the dangerous gap between IT security and regulatory compliance. They also break down why U.S. auto dealers are increasingly landing in the crosshairs of federal regulators and cybercriminals. Dealer Vulnerability  While many dealers believe their existing IT staff or "legacy" operational habits have them covered, Giambra and Graff point out that physical and digital security practices on the ground often tell a different story. According to Giambra, common ground-level violations include sales staff leaving deal jackets, driver's licenses, and credit applications on desks or in unattended drop boxes. Staff often share login details, neglect to lock terminals, or use personal emails to send sensitive customer information. Whereas cybercriminals, Graff says, target dealerships because they are lucrative ransomware targets, with financial resources, essential operational systems that cannot afford interruptions, such as writing repair orders or processing deals, and a strong desire to protect their local reputation. Hurricane IT: https://www.hurricane-it.com/ CBT News is Dealers' #1 Resource for Auto Industry News, Content, Coaching & Analysis. CBT News is a multimedia broadcast platform serving automotive professionals. With interviews featuring the biggest names in the industry, daily newscasts following top stories, up-to-date market data, 13 shows with industry experts, and exclusive articles covering the latest industry trends, CBT is the leading voice of the retail automotive industry. Subscribe to CBT News on YouTube:    / @carbiztoday   Visit CBT News Website: https://www.cbtnews.com/ Follow Us On Social Media! INSTAGRAM |   / carbiztoday   FACEBOOK |   / carbiztoday   LINKEDIN |   / cbt-news   TIKTOK |   / carbiztoday   X | https://x.com/CarBizToday