The CDK Global breach highlights the severe risks dealerships face when critical data is exposed. Unlike retail breaches at Target or Home Depot, this incident compromised dealership operations, customer data, and financial workflows, costing AutoNation over $60 million in lost profits.
Such breaches give attackers a detailed blueprint of IT environments, enabling ransomware and BEC attacks that result in long-term financial and reputational damage. To safeguard against these cascading impacts, dealerships must invest in proactive security measures like privileged access management and robust defenses.