3 Min ReadOctober 19, 2021

5 Must-Have CRM Security Features

5 Must-Have CRM Security Features

Evaluating a new automotive CRM requires a long checklist, and security features are one of the most important line items you should check off. Auto dealerships are under constant threat from cyberattacks. Automotive News reports that, on an average day, 143 viruses and 84 malicious spam emails are blocked by technology on a dealership’s network.

Why does the industry have a big target on its back? Dealers hold a lot of customer data, and many run their businesses on outdated technology. According to a survey from Total Dealer Compliance, only 30% of dealers employ IT personnel who have completed computer security training or certifications. With the average dealer group having 20 vendors or more with access to internal systems, things can go wrong quickly.

Beefing up internal processes, training employees to spot phishing techniques and hiring professional IT staff are all essential to keep your data and systems safe. So is selecting a system with security in mind. That brings us back to evaluating a new CRM system.

Due diligence is a must before selecting a new provider. Look for the following features in any system:

1 Encryption

Encryption makes sure your data can’t be read even if someone outside your dealership sees it. The data is scrambled and then coded so it can only be deciphered with the right password. If you’re using any third-party marketing vendors, you’re going to have to share your data. Data in transit is vulnerable, and encryption keeps that data safe. The ability to encrypt data should be standard with any CRM, so make sure any system you’re evaluating has this feature before moving forward.

2 Authentication

Authenticating a person’s credentials with a password before revealing data is a standard process. Some CRM systems may use biometric passwords, like fingerprints or voice patterns, to make information even more secure.

3 Password Policy

We all know that person who uses “password” or “1234” to access email or their phone. It may seem silly to say, but this is a really bad idea. You don’t want a CRM that lets employees get away with lazy passwords. You need a system that knows this flaw and forces users to create passwords using a few rules, such as having more than six characters and including digits and/or symbols.

4 Data Backups

A CRM provider should be able to tell you the process to store data and ensure data safety. A best practice is to store data in several data centers. If a server in one center fails, the processing is switched to a replica server in another data center with minimal service interruptions. A provider should also maintain daily and even hourly backups for each data store and maintain these backups in different geographic regions to protect against regional disasters.

5 Vendor Access

It’s standard for a CRM provider to restrict access to only those third-party providers that you approve. However, a provider won’t kick out vendors that you no longer use. Every six months, pull a list of vendors who do and do not need access. Until you delete a vendor’s feed, that vendor may still have access to your CRM and can retrieve and sell data.

 

 

 

 

 

CRM security risks could threaten your dealership and leave you exposed to legal threats if negligence exists. It pays to carefully examine how a provider will protect your data and your dealership from a breach before you sign on the dotted line.

 

 

Share This

CDK Global
By CDK Global
Staff

Recent Insights

Car Buyers Hit More Dealers Amid Tariff Turbulence

Car Buyers Hit More Dealers Amid Tariff Turbulence

If there’s any question about tariffs impacting car buyer behavior it seemed to prove out in April. While 90% of...
3 Min ReadMay 1David Thomas
The Importance of Scheduling Appointments for the Test Drive.

The Importance of Scheduling Appointments for the Test Drive

Long wait times at the dealership are a significant source of frustration for car shoppers. It’s not just an inconvenience;...
3 Min ReadApr 29CDK Global
Most EV Owners Stand By the Technology in New Study

Most EV Owners Stand By the Technology in New Study

Opinions about the political shifts and impacts on the ever-evolving electrical vehicle industry vary greatly across the automotive industry including...
1 Min ReadApr 21CDK Global
Dealership Appointments. Car Shoppers versus Service Customers.

Dealership Appointments: Car Shoppers vs. Service Customers

Whether you’re shopping for a new vehicle or looking to service your current one, going to a dealership can be...
3 Min ReadApr 18CDK Global
The Power of Online Reviews for Car Dealerships.

The Power of Online Reviews for Car Dealerships

Word-of-mouth marketing has long been heralded as the top marketing strategy. As the internet continues to shape consumer behavior, traditional...
3 Min ReadApr 11CDK Global
The E V Market Is Full of Misconceptions.

The EV Market Is Full of Misconceptions

The electric revolution is well underway. Sales of EVs are on the rise — in 2024, they accounted for 8.1%...
3 Min ReadApr 9CDK Global
Smarter Used Car Sourcing From Your Service Lane.

Smarter Used Car Sourcing From Your Service Lane

Hundreds of cars, trucks and SUVs zip through your dealership’s Service lane every week — many of which would look...
3 Min ReadApr 7CDK Global
How Does C D K’s C R M Drive McGovern Automotive Group Success.

How Does CDK’s CRM Drive McGovern Automotive Group Success?

Based in New England, McGovern Auto Group has 31 dealerships and an impressive annual sales volume of approximately 40,000 vehicles,...
2 Min ReadApr 3CDK Global
March Car Buying Improves Slightly Ahead of Tariffs

March Car Buying Improves Slightly Ahead of Tariffs

There was an upward correction in this month’s Ease of Purchase Scorecard as more car buyers said it was easy...
2 Min ReadApr 1David Thomas
How Shoppers Use Dealership Websites.

How Shoppers Use Dealership Websites

According to the latest CDK Friction Points Study, most car shoppers (between 62% and 79%, depending on the age group)...
3 Min ReadMar 27CDK Global