Let’s be real. Cybercriminals aren’t the shady figures we imagine lurking in dark alleys—they’re smart, well-funded, and packing some of the best tech money can buy. And guess what? They have their eyes on one of the most unprepared industries: car dealerships. That’s why cybersecurity for car dealerships has become more critical than ever.

Because dealerships are sitting on a goldmine of valuable consumer data and have relatively weak cybersecurity, this makes them prime targets for cybercriminals. Even though most dealers know cybersecurity is important, many still find it mysterious and tricky to manage. And that’s why many dealerships are sitting ducks.

As dealerships rely more and more on technology to sell and service cars and trucks, cybersecurity becomes an increasingly critical piece of the puzzle. But if you’re like many dealers, managing tech and cyber-defense feels like trying to solve a riddle with half the clues missing. So, where do you start?

Tech & Cybersecurity: More Than Just a Mystery

The reality is, understanding cybersecurity isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential. The stakes are high. Dealerships need to protect their systems, data, finances, and their reputations. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. But don’t worry—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

At Helion, we’ve got the cybersecurity game locked down. We manage the cyber-defense for over 1,000 dealerships nationwide, and in the past six months alone, we’ve stopped more than half a million attempted attacks. That’s right, over 500,000 potential breaches detected, analyzed, and halted before they could cause chaos. The big question is: Do you know how many attacks your cybersecurity team has stopped?

If the answer is “no” or “I have no idea,” it’s time to start asking some serious questions about your dealership’s cyber-defenses.

Questions Every Dealer Should Be Able to Answer

To manage cybersecurity effectively, dealers need to get comfortable with the details. If any of these questions leave you scratching your head, you might have some gaps to fill:

• Do you have equipment on your network that’s no longer supported by the manufacturer (and a sweet target for hackers)?
• Have recent security updates been applied to all your computers?
• Who has administrative and remote access to your network?
• Have you removed network access rights from all ex-employees?
• What data are you backing up, and have you tested restoring your systems from that backup?
• When was your last simulated cyberattack?
• What’s the process when an attack is suspected?
• What happens if your systems go down? Do you have a plan?
• Who’s responsible for identifying, investigating, and responding to a cyberattack after hours?

If you’re not 100% sure about the answers to these questions, managing your dealership’s cybersecurity will feel like trying to steer a car without a steering wheel.  And with cybercriminals always looking for their next target, that’s a risk you can’t afford to take.

Cybersecurity Is Mission Critical

Cybersecurity is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s mission critical for dealerships. The technologies and processes that power and protect your business and your customers’ data cannot remain a mystery. It needs to be understood, managed, and optimized.

At Helion, we have the expertise to demystify cybersecurity and put you back in control. If you need help, please let us know.