Imagine if the software your organization relies on to close deals and pay employees suddenly went down with no indication of when it would be fixed. What would you do? Could your business operations continue seamlessly? How much revenue would you lose? This scenario became a harsh reality for over 15,000 car dealerships in the US and Canada in June when cyber-attacks targeted CDK Global, a popular industry software provider. The attack disrupted sales, financing, and payroll systems, forcing dealerships to halt operations or revert to manual, pen-and-paper methods. This incident underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures for businesses of all sizes.
What Happened?
The first attack occurred on the evening of Tuesday, June 18. CDK Global promptly took action by bringing the entire system offline to investigate. The system was restored the following day, only to be taken offline again after a second attack. It appears that the system was prematurely restored before all compromised areas were fully identified, leading to the second incident. Cybersecurity experts predict it may take weeks before the system is fully operational again.
While some businesses managed to switch to manual processes, this incident highlights the vulnerabilities associated with digital systems. In our increasingly digital world, where most transactions are just a few clicks away, any system downtime can cause significant disruptions. Key business functions such as completing transactions, managing payroll, and interacting with financial institutions can come to a halt. Consequently, until systems are back online, many business operations remain incomplete, leading to delays and potential financial losses. As business owners know, there is no sale until the check clears the bank.
So, What’s Next?
CDK Global has not disclosed the exact cause of the attack. Whether this lack of information is intentional or due to ongoing investigations is uncertain. Their security team will need to thoroughly examine every aspect of the business to determine precisely what was compromised. Large companies often struggle to accurately assess the details of cyber-attacks after the initial review because multiple vulnerabilities can complicate the understanding of the attack’s full extent.
In the interim, businesses must scrutinize their systems for selling and operational continuity. Will they be prepared to continue operations if a similar incident occurs again?
This incident serves as a wake-up call for all business leaders. Without a business recovery and continuity plan, organizations are at significant risk. Even those with plans in place must evaluate whether these plans are high-quality, frequently tested, and capable of handling a large-scale attack that disables multiple operational systems. If the answer is no, immediate action is necessary.
We offer a FREE Security Risk Assessment to help you take the first steps toward stronger cybersecurity. This assessment will accomplish two critical goals:
- Identify Vulnerabilities: We will analyze your network for potential vulnerabilities, showing you where an attack could occur. We will then provide solutions to patch these vulnerabilities, preventing you from becoming the next victim of a cyber-attack.
- Develop a Continuity Plan: We will help you determine the most suitable continuity or recovery plan for your organization. Cybersecurity is a crucial element of business operations, but even the best security solutions are not 100% foolproof. Therefore, having a plan to recover and continue operations if your network or a third-party software like CDK is compromised is essential.
Don’t wait for a cyber-attack to disrupt your business. Call our office at 717-914-0102 or click here to book your FREE Security Risk Assessment now. Ensure your business is prepared to withstand and recover from cyber threats, safeguarding your operations and financial stability.
