Local Calhoun County Auto Dealerships Grapple with Fallout from CDK Global Cyberattack

Calhoun County, AL – CDK Global, a leading provider of software solutions for auto dealership management, has confirmed that it is facing a significant cyberattack labeled as a “ransom event.” The attack, which commenced on June 19th, has severely impacted CDK’s dealer management system (DMS), leaving it inaccessible to clients.

In a recent communication to its clientele, CDK Global acknowledged the nature of the attack and disclosed that hackers are demanding a ransom to restore their systems to full functionality. The company assured clients that restoration efforts are already underway but cautioned that it may take several days, not weeks, to bring major applications back online.

Amidst the ongoing recovery process, CDK issued a warning to car dealerships about potential phishing scams. These scams involve malicious actors posing as CDK in attempts to obtain sensitive information such as customer passwords, underscoring the broader cybersecurity risks faced by the automotive industry in the wake of the breach.

The repercussions of the cyberattack have been keenly felt by local car dealerships, with some reporting complete disruptions to their business operations. Resorting to manual methods like pen, paper, and “sticky notes” for transactions, dealerships have highlighted the operational challenges exacerbated by the DMS outage.

Speaking anonymously to the Calhoun Journal, several local dealerships expressed the impact on their daily operations. “We are striving to maintain customer satisfaction, but the banking side is a major concern, completely backed up,” shared one dealer. Another emphasized their dedication to service despite setbacks: “Please continue sending online leads. We are slower but operational with pen and paper, committed to serving our customers.”

Despite the disruption, dealerships urged customers not to hesitate in seeking assistance. “Don’t avoid your local automotive dealer. There’s no reason to fear; we’re here for you,” they reassured.

As CDK Global continues its efforts to resolve the cyber incident, vigilance remains crucial within the automotive sector to mitigate further cyber threats and operational disruptions.

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