You Can Never Be Too Careful

January 28th was Data Privacy Day - #PrivacyAware – according to the US National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). I applaud this effort to raise awareness about data security. We live in a world of hackers, identity thieves, fake accounts, and even gullible computer chips inside our devices. Any company which captures personal consumer information must take extreme measures to protect that data – or face some serious repercussions.

Here are some general facts to consider:

• Last year, it took the average company 191 days to identify a data breach and 66 days to contain it.
• The average total cost of a data breach was $3.62 million. The average cost for each lost or stolen record containing sensitive and confidential information was $141.
• Once breached, there is a 27.7% likelihood of a recurring material data breach over the next two years.

Retail automotive dealers who believe they are immune or too small to be a target are simply putting their heads in the sand. If you don’t understand the technical intricacies or feel you’re not at risk then I would encourage you to get educated. Just because you haven’t suffered a data breach doesn’t mean you won’t. Be smart – and #PrivacyAware.

Check out our latest podcast detailing simple steps on how to keep your data secure, both physically and digitally. You can listen here: http://bit.ly/2xD7K3R