Cyber criminals have significantly stepped up their game, with attacks costing businesses $22.5 billion in 2024 – a staggering increase from just $1 billion in 2022. For auto recycling yards, this presents a new frontier of security challenges that can't be solved with traditional measures like fences and security cameras.

VGM Forbin's Jeremy Heideman and Nick Gerrans join the URG On the Go podcast to break down what this means for recyclers of all sizes. Drawing on Jeremy's 14 years of experience working directly in an auto recycling yard, they provide a practical roadmap for protecting your business in the digital age.

The conversation shatters several dangerous myths, including the belief that small yards aren't targeted (they often are precisely because they typically have weaker security) and that basic antivirus software provides adequate protection. The experts detail how comprehensive security requires addressing three critical components: the human element through training, appropriate software implementation, and robust infrastructure.

One particularly eye-opening segment covers email security – revealing how free email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo) not only create significant security vulnerabilities but may be actively costing you business. When potential customers compare two similar service providers and one uses a professional domain-based email while the other uses a free account, the professional impression can be the deciding factor. Beyond appearance, business-grade email solutions provide essential security controls that free accounts simply can't match.

The experts also walk through practical steps any yard can implement immediately, from multi-factor authentication to incident response planning, while emphasizing that the investment in proper security measures is far less expensive than recovery from a successful attack. With server downtime directly impacting revenue in the fast-paced recycling industry, cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue – it's a core business concern.

Ready to strengthen your digital defenses? Visit forbincom or reach out directly to the experts featured in this episode at [email protected] or [email protected] to learn how they can help protect your yard from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.