In today’s market with customer privacy regulations at an all time high, it is important to ensure your networks security.

Many dealerships are opting to go with wireless equipment to make working with customers easier and more versatile. For example, many service departments use wireless tablets to write up customers on the drive encouraging up-sells during the greeting and walk around.

Using wireless technology can be great tool and place your dealership at the top if it is utilized correctly.
However, if it is used in an uneducated way, you could place not only customer information at risk, but your dealership.

Dealership in Kansas
-A hacker tapped into the dealership’s business accounts and funneled money out using a fake employee created in THEIR system. As a result 63 thousand dollars was taken from the dealership’s bank accounts.

Helion Technologies focuses exclusively on information technology solutions for Automotive Dealerships. We bring over 14 years of Dealership Information Technology experience to our clients.

“Short Term Fixes for what you need now. Long-Term solutions for what lies ahead.”

Proactive Solutions you can implement NOW:
1. Your wireless systems are not secure.

I. Dealerships use very old security measures on their wireless which are easy to break into by hackers.
II. Ex employees and anyone else who has ever accessed your wireless network may still have access. Once the access code has been given that computer will always have access to the system.

All of these wireless networks are widely used and have huge gaps in security. Here is what you can do…
• Be sure to find out what type of wireless network you have.
• With all WPA networks, create individual logins for each employee and actively manage those accounts.
• Switch to The edge7200 Wireless Network. This is a wireless network that is safe, secure and made by Milton security. This is the most widely recommended wireless network server for businesses and dealerships. We have been recommending and using this wireless network for over 14 years and without a doubt can say, that it is the most safest and secure way to run your wireless networks. Click here to request more information…

2. Customers Wireless- Keeping your customers off of your corporate wireless is critical due to data protection and GLB rules. Dealers are held to same standards for security as Banks and Healthcare. Giving your customers the same experience they receive when staying at hotel is possible!

i. They should also get a custom welcome screen like in a hotel
ii. Should accept a terms of use agreement (you can be liable for what they do)
iii. Should not be able to hog up your precious bandwidth or introduce viruses onto the network
iv. Can be redirected to a Specials page or your Website’s home page

3. Wireless systems can be controlled internally with multiple levels of security.

i. Who is logged into the device
ii. What time of day are they granted permission to have access
iii. What systems are they trying to access
iv. Can be completely locked out with the click of a button

4. BYOD- Bring Your Own Device

I. The fact that dealers allow BYOD is a huge risk that needs to be managed by different security processes.
II. The introduction of Ipads into sales and service operations creates a huge security risk that needs to be managed closely because employees can access the system even after they are no longer employed.
III. This means stressing the use of passwords and discouraging the practice of downloading files or games on work computers.
IV. Have managed antivirus systems in place and audit PC’s to ensure compliance.
V. Employ a wireless firewall system to secure all wireless zones.
Knowing vulnerabilities, changing corporate culture to think security and employing systems, will help dealerships avoid being taken to the bank. It happened to a dealership in Kansas, and it can happen to other dealerships if they are not proactive. Contact us today for a free consultation and dealership assessment. Be proactive TODAY, and be prepared for tomorrow.

About Erik Nachbahr

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Erik Nachbahr is president and founder of Helion Automotive technologies, a technology operations provider and consulting practice focused exclusively on Auto Dealers. Since its founding in 1997, Helion has grown a client base of over 450 dealerships and counts some of the nation’s most successful dealer groups among its clients. 

Erik holds a BA from Loyola University Maryland, an AA from Baltimore International Culinary College and industry certifications from Microsoft and Cisco. He has a diverse background that includes a culinary internship with the Ritz-Carlton, adult technical education and technology operations for Aon, a global insurance underwriter. As President & Founder of Helion Automotive Technologies  Erik works as Chief Information Officer for a client base with billions of dollars in annual revenue.

For more information please visit www.heliontechnologies.com