David Kain on CDK Cyberattack: Lessons Learned and Industry Resilience
The recent cyberattack on CDK Global has sent shockwaves through the automotive community. As dealerships nationwide grapple with the fallout, industry veteran David Kain, President of Kain Automotive, shares his insights. With over 60 years of family history in the dealership business, Kain offers a unique perspective on this unprecedented event’s immediate impacts and long-term implications. From the urgent need for fortified cybersecurity to ensuring business continuity and maintaining customer trust, Kain’s advice is both timely and essential for navigating these turbulent times.
Urgent Need for Reinforced Cybersecurity
David Kain emphasizes the urgent need for dealerships to reassess and bolster their cybersecurity measures. He points out that over 50% of dealerships have experienced some form of cyberattack in the past few years, underscoring that no one is immune. With vulnerabilities in centralized systems like DMS and CRM, dealerships must diversify their security strategies and not rely on a single provider to mitigate risks effectively.
Importance of Robust Contingency Plans
The attack on CDK Global serves as a stark reminder for dealerships to have robust contingency plans. Kain suggests conducting regular “fire drills” to prepare for potential cyber incidents, ensuring that teams know how to maintain operations even when systems go dark. This preparation includes developing manual processes and understanding how to continue business without access to digital systems, which can be crucial for minimizing disruption during an attack.
Maintaining Clear Communication
Maintaining clear and consistent communication with both staff and customers is vital during a crisis. Kain advises dealership leaders to unify their messaging across all departments to reassure customers of their commitment to data security and service continuity. This cohesive approach helps preserve customer trust and loyalty, which are critical for long-term business success. Kain likens this to the industry’s response to major recalls, where transparent and proactive communication is key to managing customer concerns and maintaining confidence in the dealership.
Key Takeaway
"One of the hidden elements in all this is that over 50% of dealerships have already been exposed to cyberattacks in recent years. This situation is a wake-up call for better cybersecurity measures and creating redundancies to avoid total business disruption." – David Kain
