What would you do if the software your organization relies on for closing deals and paying employees suddenly went down with no clear timeline for recovery? Could your business continue operating smoothly? How much revenue would you lose? This daunting scenario became a harsh reality for over 15,000 car dealerships across the US and Canada in June, when a cyber-attack hit CDK Global, a prominent industry software provider.
A Major Disruption: The CDK Global Cyber-Attack
The cyber-attack on CDK Global brought sales, financing, and payroll systems to a standstill for thousands of dealerships, forcing them to either halt operations or revert to old-fashioned pen-and-paper methods. This incident underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures for small business owners.
What Exactly Happened?
The first attack occurred on the evening of Tuesday, June 18. CDK Global acted swiftly, taking its entire system offline to investigate the breach. Though services were restored the next day, a second attack forced another shutdown, likely because the system was back online before all vulnerabilities were addressed. Experts believe it will take weeks before the system is fully operational again.
While some businesses managed to switch to manual processes, this situation highlights the significant risks associated with dependence on digital systems. In today’s digital age, where transactions are just a few clicks away, any disruption can cripple critical business functions such as transaction completion, payroll management, and financial interactions. This leads to delays and potential financial losses as business operations come to a standstill until systems are back online.
The Path Forward: Strengthen Your Cybersecurity
CDK Global has not disclosed the exact cause of the attack. Whether this is due to ongoing investigations or strategic discretion remains uncertain. However, their security team must thoroughly examine every aspect of their network to identify and address all compromised areas. Large organizations often struggle to fully understand the extent of an attack immediately, especially when multiple vulnerabilities are involved.
Businesses must now reassess their own systems and continuity plans. Are you prepared to continue operations if a similar incident occurs?
A Wake-Up Call for Business Leaders
This incident is a crucial reminder for business leaders. Without a comprehensive business recovery and continuity plan, your company is vulnerable. Even if you have a plan, it must be high-quality, frequently tested, and capable of handling large-scale disruptions.
At 10D Tech, we’re here to help you fortify your defenses. We offer a FREE Security Risk Assessment to help you achieve two critical goals:
- Identify Vulnerabilities: We’ll analyze your network for weaknesses, showing you where attacks could occur and providing solutions to patch these vulnerabilities, ensuring you’re not the next victim of a cyber-attack.
- Develop Continuity Plans: We’ll help you determine your organization's best continuity or recovery plan. While robust cybersecurity is essential, no system is entirely foolproof. Therefore, it’s vital to have a strategy in place to continue operations if your network or a third-party software like CDK is compromised.
Don’t wait for a cyber-attack to disrupt your business. Take proactive steps to protect your operations and ensure continuity. Call us at (541) 243-4103 or (971) 915-9103, or click here to book your FREE Security Risk Assessment now.
Secure your business’s future with 10D Tech, your trusted partner in cybersecurity and business continuity.
