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DATA SECURITY
information. “Updating computers and systems can be expensive,” he says, “but losing all your comput- ers and data with it is worse. I learned the hard way. We had ransomware hacks where they came through on old router that I didn’t even know had an open port previously used for tech support. It can happen to anyone.”
At the minimum, Marks suggests all recyclers, even the smallest of facilities invest in security technology, and have an up-to-date firewall, protecting customers’ data. It is a huge liability to expose other people’s data that you hold in your systems. Also, do you share your data with third parties, including contractors, part- ners, or your sales channel? What protects your data while it is in their hands? Do they somehow pass it on to others? • Your data is important and crucial to the opera- tion of your business.
• Your data has value and needs to be protected. • Data generated by your operation is YOUR intel- lectual property and is proprietary. • Data is a tangible asset.
The other one is more com- plex; people hacking into your computer or network. There are anti-virus and firewalls for use by the average person that runs a small business. For larg- er companies, there is cloud technology that has very good security associated with it. When working with cloud solutions,
There is a rising awareness of the need for cybersecurity, with ransomware on the rise, locking up servers and corrupting files.
which is computing power that does not reside in your physical location, you should ensure they have proper security and liability that comes with the ser- vice. These systems are trustworthy and worth the fi- nancial investment.
How Recyclers Don’t Protect Their Data Protecting your data means protecting its confi-
dentiality, integrity and availability, says Whelan. “The consequences of a failure to protect all three of these aspects include business losses, legal liability, and loss of company goodwill. Auto recyclers do not fully understand how their parts/ inventory data is being used when they click on the agreed button to assign their inventory to an internet selling platform. Your data in someone else’s hands.”
There is a rising awareness of the need for cyberse-
curity, with ransomware on the rise, locking up servers and corrupting files. Some auto recyclers have experi- enced this hacking disaster. Seeking more knowledge about security and data, Dan Marks, Marks Auto Parts, has been taking action steps to secure his network and
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“Be straight forward about your concerns when discussing your data with your vendors and oth- ers who have access,” says Marks. “When subscription renewal time comes around, ask your vendors about their policies. Read your contracts, and know what rights you are giving them and what rights you are retaining before you agree. There is always room
to negotiate in most situations. You have to trust your vendors, but you also need to protect yourself with proper recourse, if it is needed.”
A Different View of Data
In the last few years, the protection of collective industry data has been a growing concern for some auto recyclers. Individually, an automotive recycler’s data doesn’t have any real monetary value, except as a business asset. But, collectively, it has immense value. “We should consider our data as our industry in- tellectual property and be careful with it,” says Marty Hollingshead, Northlake Auto Recycling and ARA’s Secretary. “As a business model, we use many service providers who ping our servers on a regular basis to help us with our goal of selling recycled auto parts. I am not saying we need to stop this, but I am suggest- ing we all be more careful on who has access and how will people use it once we allow access to our servers for information. Once they get in, realistically, the av- erage guy doesn’t know what they are taking out of there and what they do with it.”
January-February 2019 • AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING