The cost of cyber crime to the UK is an estimated £27bn per annum, according to Government data. The public sector is not immune to the risk, and experts at Digital INNK are warning fleet managers to ensure their digital platforms use the latest technology.

Cyber crime can include everything from IP theft to industrial espionage. A recent Government survey showed that in the last 12 months, 39% of UK businesses have identified a cyber attack.

Across the world, there are now nearly two billion internet users and over five billion mobile phone connections. Every day, we send 294 billion emails and five billion SMS messages. Digital INNK warns each message is a risk, and communicating within more secure environments is advised.

Commenting on the issue, Angela Montacute, CEO of Digital INNK, said: ‘Cyber attacks bring operational issues and the risks of reputational and financial damage. Public sector fleets should take action to ensure the digital platforms they use to interact with drivers, suppliers and internally are secured with the latest technology.’

Organisations across the public sector are aware of the need to secure their systems. It is increasingly prioritised as a factor across the supply chain. It is driving change, and companies like Digital INNK are building security into applications and infrastructure from the ground up.

Digital INNK advises management teams to build a security culture throughout the company. All team members must be aware of security issues and be aware of their roles and responsibilities in preventing cyber-attacks. A review of technology can also ensure that software is built with security in mind.

Ms Montacute continued: ‘To fight increasingly sophisticated criminals, fleets must do all they can to manage data through supply chains. Using the latest technology is essential to building security. Utilising the features and architecture of subscription-based cloud services is one method to stay updated. These services deliver real-time updates and keep defences active and up to date.’

Digital INNK recently launched a compliance module to provide an industry-leading way to undertake essential compliance efficiently and securely. The company’s ViSN platform uses advanced data management and self-service technology to enable complex checks to be undertaken in minutes with data stored safely in the cloud within a secure ecosystem.

It is the first time drivers have a single app to manage driver compliance checks, book a service or tyres, manage a breakdown or undertake a vehicle health inspection.

The compliance tool also offers fully automated driver's license checks with the driver signing an eMandate in the app. It uses the latest DVLA facility to minimise false fails, and fit to drive functionality asks drivers to confirm daily with a single click in the App.

Compliance managers can track the fleet with exception management, where failed health checks can be converted to a repair booking with one click. At the same time, the experience for the driver is improved with vehicle health checks completed in the app.

To help maximise uptime for commercial fleets Digital INNK has launched an LCV health check tool that allows the driver to carry out and submit a real-time vehicle walkaround. Records of health checks and notifications are securely stored and made visible through a cloud platform.   

ViSN provides a single platform to manage fleet operations for fleet companies of all sizes. Designed using the latest cloud technology, it provides a more efficient experience than currently available.In any fleet management system, there is a wealth of personal information that needs to be collected. It must be secured in a way that meets, if not goes beyond, data compliance requirements.

At Digital INNK, mobile apps allow secure notifications within the app itself. So, drivers know the message they are receiving is within a secure ecosystem, and they can communicate safely in the knowledge that their data is secure.

Experts at Digital INNK take the safety and security of fleet managers and drivers seriously and have built a platform with the latest technology and security protocols to ensure the safety of all.

Ms Montacute concluded: ‘We set out to use the latest technology to make life easier and more secure for fleet managers and drivers. For drivers, life is simpler and safer with a single app to manage their entire experience with the vehicle and know there is a single location to find important information.’