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, founder of Helion Technologies and one of the industry’s most respected cybersecurity experts. For more than 30 years, Erik has helped auto and truck dealerships navigate exactly the types of rising threats highlighted in the article—threats that demand constant vigilance, specialized expertise, and rapid response capabilities.
The Big Shift: From In-House to Expert-Led Cybersecurity
One of the strongest messages in the article comes from Robert Smith, president of Fitzgerald Auto Mall and a Helion client. He describes the dealership group’s turning point this way:
“We’re in the automobile business. We’re not in the cyber business and we realized it’s difficult for us to keep up internally.”
Smith explained that the group has reversed its approach—instead of relying mostly on internal staff with occasional outside support, they now depend primarily on a dedicated cybersecurity partner – Helion. The reason is simple: full-time cyber expertise is no longer optional.
The article emphasizes that:
- Cyber threats are more advanced than ever.
- Staying ahead requires professionals who do this all day, every day.
- Dealership IT and cybersecurity are entirely different disciplines.
- The operational risk of getting it wrong is enormous.
What Dealership Leaders Should Take Away
The Automotive News piece reinforces a message Erik Nachbahr has been communicating throughout the industry:
- Relying solely on in-house IT for cybersecurity is no longer sustainable.
- Modern cyber defense requires dedicated specialists and 24/7 monitoring.
- Dealerships should focus on selling and servicing cars—not trying to manage a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Fitzgerald Auto Mall recognized that maintaining in-house cybersecurity had become too difficult, too costly, and too risky. By partnering with outside experts, they’ve been able to strengthen their defenses while freeing their team to stay focused on running the business.
This is the model many dealership groups are now adopting—and for good reason.