If you are thinking of buying a car or truck, you would go to a dealership and you may think it is an independent company but in the reality the software system which helps run the dealership makes it all interconnected. In many companies, they buy software systems from software makers because the software helps makes the business better. The software companies tend to specialize and because they specialize if something goes wrong with the software, the public finds how interconnected the system really is.

In an article by Wyatte Grantham-Philips of the Associated Press, the software company behind car dealerships is called CDK Global Inc. In late June, CDK was cyberattack and the system was down for at least a week. Customers of CDK include Group 1 Automotive, a $4 billion automotive retailer, Lithia Motors Inc and AutoNation Inc.

CDK Global is based outside of Chicago, provides software technology to dealers that helps with the day-to-day operations such as facilitating vehicle sales, financing, insurance and repairs. GDK servers over 15,000 retail locations across North America.

GDK press release noted it receive back to back cyberattacks on June 19 and out of an abundance of caution, shut the whole system down and is providing alternatives to its customers.

Stellantis, Ford and BMW were affected. Group 1 Automotive owns 202 dealerships and franchises and 42 collision centers, said it took measures to protect and isolate its systems from the GDK platform. Lithia Motors and AutoNation did the same.

Mike Stanton, President of the National Auto Dealers Association noted dealers are committed to the protection of their customers’ information. Cybersecurity experts noted if a customer believes their data is breached, they should monitor their credit or freezing their credit and monitor any suspicious phishing messages.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, when you buy shares in a company, you often think it is reasonably independent, but if you look closely most companies buy software systems from other companies and hopefully adapt it for their own uses. There are companies who have large technology groups, but surprising most companies purchase software from others. You may want to know what groups provide the software which runs the business.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.