How can you secure GPS devices on your fleet vehicles?

In my experience, it's not the GPS device that matters. It's the core data that you want to get out of it. If you would purchase a device of 3 € but your strategy is to monitor driving behavior, you probably will make the wrong choice. You need to have first of all a clear view of your strategy and the willingness of your management to endorse your strategy, whether it's local, regional or global. Not every user will get on board with it. You might get some backfire from the unions if you do not negotiate first properly. And don't forget that most leased or rented passenger cars or LCV's have already something on board, installed by the lease/rental company.

You can secure GPS devices on your fleet vehicles by using tamper-proof enclosures and hidden installation to prevent easy access and tampering.

There are GPS devices that provide notification once being tampered. Even off-line status would also indicate sign of tampering.

Na minha opinião, o que conta muito na escolha de um dispositivo é a boa recepção dos sinais GPRS, levando em consideração nos dias de hoje, a tecnologia 5G, para termos uma excelente cobertura de rede. Autonomia da bateria interna do dispositivo. Tamanho e portabilidade do dispositivo, pois um rastreador pequeno e discreto pode ser preferível. Reputação do fabricante também é muito importante. E por último, custo do rastreador

Some devices are built standalone, only drawing power from the vehicle. Others connect to the vehicles Engine Management System (CANbus), to open up a world of data like Odometer, real fuel usage, fault codes or charge state on electric vehicles. This means you see the vehicle data, not the data created by the GPS device / black box

In my role, the most inconvenient issue is the installation. When it's done as it should be, you get all the data you need. If installed wrongly, then the blaming game starts. Check if you can find a truly trustworthy installer. And if you have an internal workshop, have them trained.

Place GPS units in hidden places within the car to make it harder for unauthorized people to find and tamper with them. To receive notifications when a vehicle enters or exits specified geographic locations, set up geo-fencing. This can assist in identifying any unapproved vehicle movement.

Ideal location is under the Hood, below the cold top where the device will be safe and secure. Incase if the devise is OBD based, then we need a OBD connecter extension, so that it can be placed behind the dashboard and tagged.

Eu prefiro sempre realizar instalações de rastreadores em locais ocultos, com dificuldade de localiza-los e/ou desativa-los com o veículo em movimento. As instalações externas ao veículo, são mais recomendáveis, mas para isso temos que utilizar rastreadores com grau de proteção no mínimo IP65. Com este tipo de instalação, não será possível qualquer atuação de terceiro, com o veículo em movimento.

The ideal location would be a concealed place where no theft nor tampering can occur. while still being connected to the vehicle computer "Canbus" or similar.

Todo gestor de monitoramento, deve sempre ficar atento às atualizações do sistema de rastreamento. Caso observe um deslocamento fora da rotina, contatar imediatamente o responsável da frota. Outro ponto muito importante, é observar o alerta de desconexão da bateria externa (do veículo), onde esse rastreador ficará comunicando até drenar toda a carga da bateria interna do dispositivo. nesse tempo, o gestor deverá acionar o serviço de pronta resposta.

When installing a GPS device you will surely have a platform to monitor. given that most GPS solutions are not technically cheap, Monitoring the movement and analyzing behavior should be done minimum twice a week if not daily.

If you as a company are considering implementing or extending a GPS system for your fleet, the crucial issue is to convince your drivers of its benefits. For this you will have to approach the topic from a cultural point of view, even before the technological one. Involving testimonials from drivers who can expound on the benefits they have experienced first-hand is certainly effective!

It’s important to establish what the devices won’t be used for, as much as what they will be used for. Documenting this in driver policies is good practice and it’s also important to have balance if you are looking to use devices for driver behaviour. Try to use the carrot method instead of the stick wherever possible. Privacy modes on GPS devices (removing data from private trips) is a great way to help engage drivers and focus on risk at work.

Offer comprehensive training to your drivers and staff on the following aspects: Operation: Teach them how to use the GPS devices effectively, including how to set destinations, navigate, and interpret the data displayed. Classroom and or video tutorials. Troubleshooting: Equip them with the knowledge to address common problems or error messages that may arise during device use. Also provide a point of contact if they need support. Emergency Handling: Ensure they know what to do in case of emergencies, such as technical malfunctions or accidents, and how to use the GPS device to relay their location for help.

Drivers and users should be informed that there is a tracking device and it is being used daily to monitor behavior. Its not only about having a way to monitor drivers, but its also used to protect company assists. In my humble opinion drivers should not feel like they do not have the company's trust, but more like its a safety net and a pool of information.

Once you are trained on the platform and have the GPS fully installed, you will have an abundance of information that you can utilize to increase performance and productivity. You will only need to know the proper way of using that pool of information.

Enable two-factor authentication for your GPS devices and fleet management software. Keep your GPS devices and fleet management software up to date with the latest security patches. Train your employees on how to use the GPS devices and fleet management software securely.

Alway pay attention to security, these devices contain data and we need to protect personal and customer data. Things are changing we need to start treating cars as computers on wheels.

Before installing any GPS device, check the use case in your fleet. Your fleet might be a mix of passenger cars and LCV's. While the passenger cars are more used for mixed usage (private and pro), the LCV part is most of the time only related to work. This means that those cars are treated differently. Which also means that your GPS data should be looked at differently. For sure for the passenger cars you will have to have GDPR-proof measures when installing a device. Do not overlook to include your DPO when you want to install them on passenger cars and on LCV if they might take the car with them after work.

Securing your GPS devices is crucial to protect your fleet data and maintain efficient operations. Start by placing the devices in hidden and secure locations within the vehicle to minimize the risk of theft or tampering. Use tamper-proof mounting brackets and locks to further enhance security. Regularly inspect the devices to ensure they are functioning properly and have not been damaged. Implement password protection and encryption to safeguard data transmission. Lastly, educate your drivers on the importance of device security to prevent any unauthorized access or misuse.

in addition, use a GPS device enclosure. A GPS device enclosure can help to protect the device from tampering and damage. Use a GPS device cable lock. A GPS device cable lock can help to prevent the device from being disconnected from the vehicle. Thank you