September 05, 2019

Helpful Tips: How Car Dealers Can Protect Sensitive Customer Data


With the fall season upon us, car sales will no doubt increase as Canadians head back to their regular routine and prepare for the looming winter months. With this said, what might seem like a simple exchange of information between a customer and car dealership, in fact includes many events that might put a customer’s personal data at risk.

The Canadian automotive industry is no stranger to disruption. Increased global competition and constantly shifting consumer demands force those in the automotive industry to ensure that their business model remains competitive. What is often overlooked in annual business planning is a company’s approach to information security and how that policy is being communicated. Recent data collected from Shred-it’s 2019 Data Protection Report (DPR) found that consumer concerns around information security are on the rise.  

Protect & Communicate Information Security Practices

Those working in the automotive industry must not only protect consumer’s personal information, but they need to communicate how they are prioritizing information security or they may risk taking a hit to their bottom line. This industry in particular collects a large amount of personal information from customers. Driver’s licenses, insurance documents and credit card information can put customers at risk for being a victim to identity theft if those documents get into the wrong hands.  

3 Ways to Mitigate the Risk of a Data Breach in Auto Dealerships:
  1. Car dealerships should ensure that all employees are given the proper information security training throughout the year. A lack of training is one of the leading causes of data breaches within organizations.
  2. Implement a Shred-it All Policy that requires all employees to shred everything before they leave work at the end of the day. A Shred-it All Policy also also helps reduce human error from the equation.
  3. With the rise of the open office, it is a good idea to implement a Clean Desk Policy that requires individuals to clear their desk of confidential documents, post-it notes and electronic devices
​Canadian car dealers have an opportunity to mitigate customer risk and should take the appropriate measures to do so. Revamping internal information security training, strengthening policies or implementing extra measures to better protect data are all ways in which action can be taken.

Start Protecting Your Car Dealership

At Shred-it, we understand how important it is to protect the confidential information within your car dealership. Learn more about our information security and paper shredding services for auto dealers.