Ongoing dialogue about the threat landscape helps automotive IT solutions supplier Semler Services to take security to the next level

For 10 years, Nixu has been helping to handle the cybersecurity at Semler Services – one of the country's largest suppliers of IT solutions to the automotive industry. A collaboration that includes counseling, testing, education and sparring. More recently, the partnership has resulted in a comprehensive awareness campaign aimed at establishing a more secure behavior around IT, not only with the Semler Group, but also with the associated dealers and service partners.

Large internal awareness campaign

“In 2015, we launched a larger internal awareness campaign with a course for the entire organization and all the dealers,” says Claus Nybro, Information Security Consultant at Semler Services. ”We draw attention to what is good behavior on the web, handling passwords, go-home meetings, small videos and guides to what to do and why. The purpose is to increase security through information and training. 

Nixu’s approach to cybersecurity is a great example of this. In addition to the advice and the technical solutions, they help us to focus on cybersecurity throughout the organization and incorporate a different behavior around the handling of data,” says Nybro.

Ongoing dialogue about the threat picture

Nybro continues: “Originally, we contacted Nixu to buy some antivirus, but the relationship has developed over the years into a close collaboration with regular meetings every quarter and an ongoing dialogue about the threat picture. The cybersecurity experts at Nixu have their finger on the pulse and I have full confidence in their advice. We may not be the most vulnerable type of business, but we still need to be aware of what is happening 'outside the walls'. Even with great attention, we can not say we are ‘free’ from being affected by viruses. Fortunately, we have a system that stops them, so we have never experienced a serious crash.”

Cybersecurity experts provide comprehensive view

Claus Nybro finds the collaboration with Nixu beneficial in several aspects as the threat landscape is evolving. “The hackers are getting better and better all the time, and we have to keep up and build our fences higher. That’s why we use Nixu for sparring and help. We do not have a dedicated resource for cybersecurity, so that work is handled across the organization. 

Nixu gives us sparring and advice in most disciplines regarding cybersecurity, which are both preventive but also used if we see a threat. I can only say that we have a good working relationship with their consultants. They are skilled, competent and objective, understood in the sense that we do not perceive them as salespeople who try to sell us as much as possible, but they come here as credible advisers who work in our interest.” Nybro closes.