by Terry MacCauley - Posted 4 hours ago
In light of the recent Global CDK hack, ensuring your dealership is protected from cyber threats is more important than ever. One of the most common and devastating tactics used by cybercriminals is phishing. Phishing scams can bring your business to a grinding halt and cost you thousands of dollars. Here’s why it's crucial to secure your dealership with robust policies.
Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers pose as legitimate entities to steal sensitive information like login credentials and financial details. They often use emails, text messages, or malicious websites to trick employees into revealing this information.
Financial Loss: Phishing scams can lead to direct economic losses. Cybercriminals can access your bank accounts, steal funds, and even make unauthorized purchases.
Operational Disruption: When your systems are compromised, operations can be halted. Imagine being unable to access your inventory management system or customer databases for days or weeks.
Reputation Damage: Customers trust you with their personal information. A breach can severely damage your reputation, leading to a loss of customer trust and loyalty.
Legal Consequences: Depending on the nature and extent of the breach, you could face legal consequences, including fines and lawsuits.
Employee Training: Educate your employees about the dangers of phishing and how to recognize suspicious emails and messages. Regular training sessions can keep this knowledge fresh.
Email Security: Implement filtering systems that detect and block phishing attempts. Encourage employees to report suspicious emails immediately.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Require 2FA for accessing sensitive systems. This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for cybercriminals to gain access.
Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities in your systems. Address these vulnerabilities promptly to stay ahead of potential threats.
Incident Response Plan: Establish a clear, well-documented incident response plan and ensure all employees know what to do if they suspect a phishing attack has occurred.
Securing your dealership against phishing scams is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Regularly update your security policies and stay informed about the latest phishing tactics. You can protect your dealership from significant financial and operational harm by taking proactive steps.
Remember, the best defense against phishing is a well-informed and vigilant team. Invest in your employees' knowledge and your dealership's security to ensure you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
For more information, contact anyone on our team. For reputable legal advice, we highly recommend the services of Ignite Consulting Partners. Steve Levine and his team are the absolute best for anything and everything related to automotive compliance.
-Terry MacCauley, Founder & CEO
As we are quickly approaching July, it is the perfect time to refresh our advertising campaigns to keep your audience engaged and attract new leads. While it's not mandatory, we highly recommend updating your creative monthly to maintain a dynamic presence.
With customizable overlays for inventory pictures, social media posts, texting images, and website sliders, our themes will help create a buzz and draw in buyers looking for great deals while driving a strong, reliable, trusted brand.
For July, we have three exciting themes designed to capture attention and drive conversions:
Celebrate Independence Day with a patriotic sales theme designed to attract customers with bold, eye-catching graphics. Featuring red, white, and blue colors and festive fireworks, the event promises exciting promotions and savings to drive sales.
This July, transport your customers to a nostalgic drive-in experience with our vibrant Summer Drive-In sales theme. With neon lights, classic drive-in signage, and a picturesque evening backdrop, this theme is perfect for promoting your dealership's summer specials.
Celebrate the spirit of freedom this July with our bold and empowering Freedom to Choose sales theme. Highlighting the versatility and variety of your inventory, this theme is designed to attract customers with stunning imagery of eagles and patriotic colors.
Avoiding Diminishing Returns (Thursday, 10 am)
We thoroughly enjoyed presenting at the NIADA conference on "Avoiding Diminishing Returns." Our CEO, Terry MacCauley, delivered an insightful session covering the 4 C's to help dealerships enhance their advertising efforts and steer clear of diminishing returns.
Terry emphasized the importance of Culture, Commitment, Creativity, and Consistency in achieving sustainable growth and maximizing ROI. It was a pleasure to share our strategies and engage with such an enthusiastic audience of dealers dedicated to improving their marketing outcomes.
If you would like to receive a copy of the presented slides or any more information, please send a request to: Sarah@gowithbigtime.com
