Information technology blog, cybersecurity blog

If you are a company that works with the government you are familiar with the rules and regulations that surround information labelled as sensitive, top secret or classified. You most likely know about the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171 and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).

Cyberattacks continue to be a growing threat for small businesses. According to estimates from Statista's Cybersecurity Outlook, the global cost of cybercrime is expected to surge in the next five years, rising from $8.44 trillion in 2022 to $23.84 trillion by 2027.

Although NIST 800-171 has been around for several years, many business leaders still aren’t certain whether they are doing the right things to be compliant.

If you are considering implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), you may be hesitant to move forward because you’ve heard bad reviews from other users. Many of these bad reviews are myths or inaccuracies.

If you manage or own an auto dealership, you understand the need for data security. In addition to safeguarding your own sensitive information and that of your customers, there are regulatory obligations such as the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Safeguards Rule to consider as well.

Although they are not financial institutions, auto dealers handle sensitive information about their customers. From banking information to social security numbers, driver’s license numbers to credit information, this information can be used by criminals to steal a customer’s identity.

Although NIST 800-171 has been around for several years, many business leaders still aren’t certain whether they are doing the right things to be compliant. One of the areas of confusion is what to expect from a NIST 800-171 Gap Analysis.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Safeguards Rule has been amended to include non-banking institutions that handle consumer financial information; car dealerships fall into this category.