If you’re a dealership manager without an IT background, you’re not alone—and you’re not off the hook either.
You don’t need to know how to configure a firewall or install an endpoint agent, but you do need to know whether your IT and cybersecurity teams are doing their jobs. Why? Because if they aren’t, you’re risking a lot more than just a tech headache. We’re talking cyberattacks, downtime, compliance violations, and yes—flushing money down the drain.
Here’s the bottom line: your tech teams are the experts, but you are still the boss. You don’t need to understand the wiring under the hood—you just need a dashboard that tells you if the engine’s about to blow.
So how do you get that dashboard? Start by asking the right questions. The answers (or lack thereof) will tell you a lot:
8 Questions Every Dealership Manager Should Ask Their IT and Cyber Teams
- Have we upgraded to Windows 11 yet?
- If not, will we be fully upgraded by October 14, 2025? (That’s when Microsoft stops supporting Windows 10—tick tock.)
- Do we have any computers that can’t upgrade to Windows 11? (And how many?)
- Have we deployed multi-factor authentication across all systems, not just bought the tool?
- Do we have any outdated or unsupported technology still connected to our network? (How much of it?)
- How fast do we typically install software security patches? (Hours? Days? Weeks?)
- Do we have a documented cybersecurity incident response plan? (Can you see it?)
- If we get hit by a cyberattack at 2am on Christmas Eve, who’s responding and how?
- Are we regularly training employees to spot phishing emails? And are we actually getting better at it?
If your team can’t give you clear, confident answers—or if the answers just don’t sit right—don’t panic. But don’t ignore it either.
Contact Helion. We specialize in IT and cybersecurity for dealerships, and we’ll do a complimentary assessment to help you understand where you stand and what needs work. No jargon, no pressure—just real insights to help you take back control.
You don’t have to be a tech expert to manage a high-performing IT team. You just need to know what to ask.
