Car Dealership Outages Continue after CDK Cyberattacks
Car dealerships and auto shops in the U.S. are facing ongoing disruptions as software maker CDK works to bring its systems back online after being hit by back-to-back cyberattacks. CDK spokesperson Lisa Finney stated that the restoration process has begun, but a specific timeline for recovery has not been provided yet. Customers trying to conduct business are being given alternate ways to do so, as the company’s flagship dealer management software remains largely inoperable.
CDK, known for providing customer management software to around 15,000 dealerships across North America, fell victim to ransomware attacks starting on June 19. The hackers are reportedly demanding a significant ransom from the company in exchange for restoring access to their systems. It is unclear whether CDK plans to pay the ransom, as company spokesperson Lisa Finney has not provided any details regarding this matter.
The cyberattacks have caused disruptions not only for CDK but also for its customers, including Group 1 Automotive, Sonic Automotive, and Penske. Group 1 Automotive, a major U.S. car dealership, disclosed in a filing with government regulators that its operations continue to be affected by the CDK cyberattack. Similarly, Sonic Automotive and Penske reported ongoing outages across various parts of their businesses.
Sonic Automotive mentioned that it is still investigating the extent of potential data breaches resulting from the cyberattack. The company has been unable to determine if any customer data was compromised during the incident, underscoring the serious implications of such cyber threats.
As the situation unfolds, CDK and its customers are working to mitigate the impact of the cyberattacks and find ways to resume normal operations. The company’s efforts to restore its systems and provide support to affected dealerships are crucial in ensuring the continuity of business operations in the automotive industry.
If you have any additional information or insights about the CDK cyberattacks, please reach out to us. You can contact the reporter via Signal, WhatsApp at +1 646-755-8849, or by email. SecureDrop is also available for submitting any relevant files or documents related to the cyberattacks. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge.
