data privacy

Automotive News Article: AI Tools in Dealerships Create New Attack Vectors for Cybercriminals

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Automotive News Article

Auto dealerships are embracing artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, automate workflows, and enhance customer service — but a new report from Automotive News warns that AI adoption is also creating serious new cybersecurity risks for dealerships.  The article highlights how AI-powered tools are now being used across dealership operations, including finance and insurance, customer communications, and service … Read more

CarGurus Data Breach: A Warning Shot for Dealerships

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Automotive News Article

A recent Automotive News article detailed a cybersecurity incident involving CarGurus in which a hacking group exposed more than 1.7 million corporate records, along with over 400,000 customer email addresses, phone numbers and physical addresses in a separate CarMax-related data breach incident. According to reporting, the CarGurus data breach may include dealership account information and … Read more

Dealership IT vs. Dealership Cybersecurity: Why Your Dealership Needs Both

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Dealership IT vs Dealership Cybersecurity

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

Why Maryland’s New Data Privacy Law Matters for Dealers Everywhere

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Maryland Online Data Privacy Act

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

Automotive News: FAQ published on Dealership FTC Safeguards

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Automotive News Article

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

Still Not Taking Cybersecurity Seriously? The CDK Hackers Just Proved You Haven’t Learned a Thing

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Cybercriminal Strikes Again

It’s been nearly a year since the devastating CDK Global cyberattack brought operations at thousands of dealerships to a halt—and yet, here we are again. Same criminal group. Same playbook. Different victim.  The CDK Hackers just proved you haven’t learned a thing. In late April 2025, Branhaven Motors Inc., a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealership in Branford, Connecticut, … Read more

What is a Comprehensive Information Security Program?

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comprehensive information security

A comprehensive information security program encompasses policies, procedures, and technologies designed to protect data and systems. It ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability through risk management, access controls, and incident response. More than just an IT initiative, it’s a business imperative that safeguards your dealership’s reputation, compliance, and bottom line. Key Components of a Comprehensive Information … Read more

Will Dealerships Heed The Lessons Learned From 2024 Cyber Attacks?

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Automotive News Article

The Automotive News article “Will dealerships heed the lessons learned from 2024 cyber attacks?” explores how the high-profile CDK Global data breach and cyber attacks became a wake-up call for the automotive retail industry. It highlights the growing urgency around dealership cybersecurity, emphasizing that proactive risk management—through cybersecurity monitoring, insurance, employee training, and vendor vetting—is … Read more

Dealership IT, Cybersecurity, & Compliance – A Better Way

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IT, cybersecurity, and compliance - a path to a better way

Your dealership depends on technology—it’s the backbone of everything you do. From managing customer data to driving sales and service operations, your dealership’s tech infrastructure keeps the wheels turning. So why do so many seem to undervalue dealership IT and cybersecurity? Here’s the tough truth: most dealerships don’t have the right resources to handle IT … Read more