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. Here’s how to build … 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
“Dealership cybersecurity” probably sounds like a never-ending to-do list filled with confusing jargon, expensive tools, and compliance checkboxes. It’s easy to feel buried under what the experts from the Center for Internet Security (CIS) call “the fog of more.” More threats, more rules, more tools, more noise — and not enough clarity on what actually … Read more
Here’s something you may not know: security misconfiguration is behind 80% of cyber incidents today. That means the biggest risk to your dealership isn’t always some hacker running advanced tools in the dark web—it’s often the everyday settings inside your systems that were never properly locked down. And here’s the kicker: these oversights are one … Read more
The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA) became law in 2024, and it goes into effect on October 1, 2025. Even if your dealership isn’t in Maryland, this law is worth watching—because it’s part of a bigger trend: states across the country are rolling out their own rules for how businesses collect, use, and protect … Read more
For most, dealership IT, cybersecurity, and compliance operate in separate silos. Dealership IT keeps systems running, cybersecurity tries to defend them, and compliance checks boxes—often without real integration. The result? Gaps, vulnerabilities, and a false sense of security. In today’s environment, this siloed approach is no longer acceptable. Dealers face growing threats, stricter regulations, and … Read more
Let’s face it—no one ever said “You know what sounds fun? A deep dive into FTC cybersecurity compliance requirements.” But here we are, because like it or not, the success and survival of your dealership depend on more than just your sales team and service bay. Your cyber defense—and your ability to comply with the … Read more
In a recent Automotive News article titled “FTC publishes an FAQ for dealerships on Safeguards: Here’s what to know,” the Federal Trade Commission’s June release of a detailed FAQ is highlighted as a key resource for dealerships working to comply with the FTC Safeguards Rule. The rule—originally enacted in 2003 and updated in 2021 and … Read more