With cyberattacks and data breaches being reported at increasingly higher rates across different industries, data security has become more important than ever. For fleets running multiple business solutions, however, it can be difficult to achieve the desired—or necessary—level of security. Implementing an integrated management solution can help fleets improve data security through features such as single sign-on (SSO), adjustable user permissions, and consistent software updates so employees can focus more on daily operations.
Cyberattacks and data breaches have been surging in headlines lately, with a new story popping up every few days. But this issue doesn’t just impact banks, automotive dealerships, and telecommunication companies. Any organization using digital solutions for data collection and/or storage are ripe for the picking.
For operations deploying fleet assets, though, manual data collection methods like maintenance spreadsheets are becoming increasingly difficult to manage, as they provide limited data accessibility and underwhelming insights — particularly when it comes to maintenance and total cost of asset ownership. Fortunately, implementing security-focused solutions can help mitigate the risk of data breaches while improving data collection and consolidation.
What digital solutions bring to the table
If digitizing data is becoming riskier, why invest in it? The main reason is the cost-saving benefits they afford through allowing fleets to get a better understanding of the fleet operation as a whole, as well as on an asset-by-asset basis. Integrated fleet solutions especially play a key role in data consolidation, seamlessly collecting disparate data from multiple sources, including from GPS and telematics devices, fuel cards, and other business and fleet solutions. The consolidation of this data on a single platform simplifies data analysis and provides a holistic view of fleet operations by surfacing such costly issues as:
- Fuel consumption trends and fuel economy discrepancies
- Inefficient preventive maintenance (PM) schedules
- Low inspection compliance rates
- Low maintenance compliance rates
- Increases in unscheduled downtime
Read more: What fleets should know about growing threat of cyberattacks
Furthermore, because data is consolidated, fleets gain easy access to in-depth asset summaries and reports showcasing specific metrics, allowing fleet managers to follow an audit trail to identify and address issues quickly. It also has the added benefit of improving internal benchmarking so fleets can spot poor-performing assets and inefficient processes. For instance, a cost comparison by year report can surface insights into increased fuel consumption and spend as well as service expenses and downtime, helping fleets make informed decisions regarding asset maintenance schedules.
Despite the benefits digital solutions offer, however, the question of data security looms large. The current wealth of available fleet maintenance and management solutions has introduced myriad opportunities for optimization but, as technology evolves, so do cybersecurity threats.
Prioritizing data security in digital solutions
Digital fleet maintenance and management solutions largely come with built-in security measures, but there are some specific details to look for when choosing a solution that’s both safe and capable of meeting the fleet’s needs.
- User credentials: Addressing the weakest link in cybersecurity — user credentials — reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access and mitigates potential risks. SSO frameworks provide heightened security —and increased usability — by reducing the risk of compromised login details. This is particularly significant in fleet operations where multiple solutions are in use. Implementing a fleet maintenance or management solution with SSO not only enhances security, it simplifies user authentication and reduces frustration around having to log in to multiple systems.
- User permissions: Adjustable user permissions play a key role in data security by restricting unauthorized access. Managers can finely tune user permissions based on an employee’s roles and responsibilities at the individual level, ensuring that individuals have access only to the data and functionalities relevant to their roles. This granular control enhances data security and minimizes the risk of internal breaches.
- Consistent updates: Security vulnerabilities often arise from outdated software versions, so consistent software updates and backups can strongly improve data security. A good digital solution facilitates consistent software updates and data backups without you needing to lift a finger, so be sure to check if a solution you’re considering is in the habit of staying fortified with the latest security patches to help protect against potential risks.
The strategic adoption of integrated digital fleet solutions not only consolidates disparate data for improved insights, it also serves as a robust security management tool, with features like SSO, adjustable user permissions, and consistent software updates collectively contributing to a secure and cost-effective fleet management ecosystem.
