The Basics of Hygiene – Cyber, Not Personal

Hygiene is important, that’s not news. Brushing your teeth, washing your face… creating common cyber policies? While the last part might not be the hygiene advice you’re used to, staying mindful and on top of your cyber practices is just as important as flossing.

What exactly is cyber hygiene?

Cyber hygiene is the development of healthy habits by your business and employees that ensure the health and security of your networks, data, devices, and users. Just like personal hygiene, the regular routines of cyber hygiene minimize problems and infection (aka malware or hacking). With your dealership, this involves all your technology and the people working with it. This ensures your policies and procedures are managed just as well as your software and hardware. With solid cyber hygiene, you can detect problems sooner and lower the scale of issues as a whole.

Are there common cyber hygiene problems?

For businesses, there are a few common mistakes we see. Some of these vulnerabilities include:

• Loss of Data – When your drives and clouds aren’t properly maintained, your data is left vulnerable. Remember, once that information is gone, it’s lost for good.
• Misplaced Data – Even if your data isn’t stolen or corrupted, you can’t use it if you don’t know where it is. There are so many places to store data, it’s helpful to have clear directions in place for your entire organization.
• Out of Date Software – Old software is one of the easiest vulnerabilities for an attacker to prey on. Regular updates provide you with improvements and patches, and they will strengthen the value of the software you’re using.

How do I do it?

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, meaning it’s time to get the overall business and all your employees involved in creating good cyber hygiene routines. Here are some best practices to get you on your way to a pearly white, shining, IT and security program:

• Audit your technology to assess the condition of the hardware and software your business is running and if any updates need to be addressed.
• Provide in-depth cybersecurity training to all employees. Education doesn’t stop after training classes are over, so passing on blogs or newsletters keeps your staff up-to-date on current practices and tips.
• Have a third-party provider assess risks and monitor threats to free up any manual time you currently spend on IT best practices.
• Keep a schedule to update and patch servers and other devices regularly. If you have a third-party provider already, they might even do this for you!
• Prohibit the use of personal devices for company work, as well as the use of company devices for personal use.
• Maintain good password hygiene by using complex passwords that are changed regularly, and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when available.
• Limit user access for programs on a ‘need-to-know’ basis.
• Have a written incident response plan ready in case a cyber-incident does happen. This can limit the attack damage and business disruption. It’s always better to be proactive than reactive.

What’s in it for me?

There can be several steps to ensure a strong, well-rounded cyber program. So what are the benefits of doing it? First, good cyber hygiene will help to mitigate major breaches and other cyberattacks that could cause major damage and losses to your dealership. Being a victim of an attack costs money, time, sales, and your reputation with customers. Second, you’ll be able to keep your dealership’s devices running smoothly and efficiently. Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to bigger issues that can be as painful as filling a cavity.

Prioritizing cyber hygiene ensures your dealership remains resilient and prepared in the face of evolving cyber threats. By adopting these best practices, you can fortify your defenses and navigate the digital landscape with confidence and security.