Two dealership service providers want stores to be ready for what the Federal Trade Commission is asking them to do, so they formed a new partnership this week.

Accelerate2Compliance (A2C) announced the expanded availability of its dealership compliance solutions through a new partnership with NCM Associates, which offers management training, 20 Group peer collaboration, consulting, benchmark reporting and software solutions.

“As a dealership leader, success requires attention to every aspect of your operation, including the increasingly important matter of information security,” NCM Associates president and CEO Paul Faletti Jr. said in a news release. “We at NCM are proud to add A2C’s best-in-class FTC compliance expertise to our suite of professional development and consulting services offered to our dealer clients.”

The companies acknowledged information security has become an increasingly prominent factor during recent years among dealerships, which store substantial amounts of sensitive customer data.

Particular interest in the subject has been spurred by the FTC’s new Safeguards Rule, which requires relevant businesses to follow stringent information security protocols.

“Customer data is central to every dealership, and with so much of this sensitive information being managed day-to-day, it’s crucial as a dealership leader to equip yourself with trusted information security expertise,” A2C chief executive officer Greg Pfleider said.

“We are proud to be a resource for dealers on their journey to FTC compliance through our collaboration with NCM and do our part to help make automotive a stronger, more secure industry.”

Serving dealerships across the automotive, heavy truck, marine, powersports and RV categories, A2C explained its program is built to help dealers install complete and technical FTC safeguards and related solutions.

The A2C roadmap can assist with identifying information security compliance risk, implementing policies and procedures, delivering ongoing training and testing, and assessing vendor vulnerabilities.

“With so many daily priorities vying for dealers’ attention, learning how to comply with complex regulations can feel like a daunting challenge — which is why we’re bringing information security compliance within reach for more dealers by uniting the specialized expertise of A2C with the performance solutions of NCM,” Pfleider said.

“Supporting the success of dealership professionals is a shared mission between A2C and NCM, and it’s because of this common goal that our companies are joining forces to provide even better value for dealers,” he went on to say.

Additional information on how dealers can protect their businesses from information security compliance risks with A2C is available at www.accelerate2compliance.com.

Information on management training, 20 Groups, consulting, benchmark reporting and software solutions from NCM is available at www.ncmassociates.com.