Digital Audits Are Like Oil Changes For Your Dealership
The automotive industry, particularly the sales department of a car dealership, has a high rate of employee turnover. It is common for managers and salespeople to come and go quite frequently. This constant turnover can lead to gaps in the dealership's security and account management, leaving it vulnerable to potential security breaches. Therefore, it is essential to perform regular digital audits, much like performing an oil change for a car.
When an employee leaves a dealership, it is important to remove their access to sensitive information and accounts immediately. However, often times, off-boarding is not given the same priority as onboarding. This can lead to ex-employees still having access to sensitive information, which can be a significant security risk. That is why, in addition to performing an audit when onboarding a new employee, a digital audit should also be conducted when an employee leaves the dealership. This audit should include an analysis of all accounts that the ex-employee had access to and ensuring that all access is removed.
When onboarding a new employee, it is crucial to provide them with only the necessary access to perform their job functions. This access should be limited to only the required applications and systems, and should be reviewed periodically to ensure that the access is still necessary. Additionally, passwords should be changed regularly and should follow specific criteria for complexity. A strong password policy helps to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Here are some best practices for conducting user security audits and account management from an information technology standpoint:
User Security Audits:
Review and verify all user accounts in the system
Remove all inactive accounts and those no longer required
Conduct a review of user permissions and ensure that they are set appropriately
Review access to systems and applications and remove any unnecessary access
Conduct regular reviews of user access to ensure that it is still necessary
Verify that all users have updated and secure passwords
Account Management:
Limit access to only the necessary applications and systems
Change passwords regularly and ensure they meet complexity requirements
Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible
Conduct regular reviews of user access and permissions
Remove access immediately when an employee leaves the dealership
In conclusion, it is essential for car dealerships to conduct regular digital audits to ensure that their security is up to par. This is especially important in an industry with high employee turnover rates. By implementing best practices for user security audits and account management, dealerships can reduce the risk of security breaches and protect their sensitive information.
