Erik Nachbahr
Changing DMS. Rolling out a new CRM. Migrating email, networks, or core business systems. From a business perspective, these are all good problems to have. They signal growth, modernization, and an investment in efficiency. But there’s a less exciting side effect that often doesn’t get enough attention: Major technology changes quietly increase cybersecurity risk. Not … Read more
Dealerships using AI are responding faster to customers, booking more appointments, and handling more work with fewer people. From AI-powered chat on your website to voice bots answering phones after hours, artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of how auto and truck dealerships compete. The opportunity is huge—but so is the responsibility, because every new … Read more
For years, dealership cybersecurity has lived in a familiar place: a checklist. ✔️ MFA? ✔️ Antivirus? ✔️ Security policy? Boxes checked. Everyone feels better. Back to selling cars and trucks. But the latest Mercedes-Benz USA Cyber Security Guidelines for Dealers make one thing very clear: that era is over A Not-So-Subtle Message from the OEMs … Read more
There’s no longer any debate: cybersecurity is a dealership survival issue. According to The State of Dealership Cybersecurity 2025, published by CDK Global, 90% of dealership leaders say cybersecurity is very or extremely important. Dealers get it. You feel the urgency. But here’s the uncomfortable truth the report reveals — awareness isn’t the same as … Read more
For most modern auto and truck dealerships, Microsoft 365 isn’t just a productivity suite — it’s the backbone of daily operations. Email, calendars, financial reporting, HR systems, customer records, collaboration tools, and even service workflows live inside this cloud tenant. But here’s the hard truth: just because your data lives in Microsoft 365 doesn’t mean … Read more
The shock of the 2024 CDK ransomware attack may be fading, but its impact is still shaping dealership cybersecurity. Frozen titles, dead sales systems, handwritten forms, and millions in lost revenue reminded everyone just how dependent dealerships are on their DMS—and how quickly operations collapse when cybercriminals find a way in. In a recent discussion … Read more
A recent Automotive News article titled “AI for good battles AI used in dealership cybercrime” (Nov. 26, 2025) highlights a stark reality for today’s auto and truck dealers: the cybersecurity threat landscape is evolving too quickly for in-house IT teams to manage alone. And few people have been sounding that alarm longer than Erik Nachbahr, … Read more
Auto and truck dealerships are facing a new wave of AI-powered cyberattacks — threats that don’t sleep, don’t take days off, and don’t wait for an IT ticket before they adapt. The rise of autonomous, AI-powered cyberattacks has changed the game. And here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most dealerships aren’t prepared for what this next wave … Read more
If you’ve ever said, “Our IT team handles cybersecurity,” this blog is for you. In dealerships, it’s easy to lump “technology stuff” into one big bucket. Computers, networks, passwords, malware… it all feels related, right? Well—kind of. Dealership IT and dealership cybersecurity absolutely work together, but they’re built for very different missions. Think of it … Read more