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Overview
Automotive dealerships are increasingly becoming prime targets for cyberattacks. With 15% of all dealerships already breached, the auto industry faces growing risks from hackers exploiting outdated technology, untrained staff, and unsecured financial and personal data. Despite handling sensitive customer information, most dealerships operate as mid-market businesses with limited cybersecurity budgets and IT resources. Blackswan Cybersecurity, in partnership with Stellar Cyber Open XDR, delivers an enterprise-level security solution tailored to the needs and budgets of mid-market dealerships.
The Cybersecurity Challenge for Dealerships
Auto dealerships face unique cybersecurity risks, including:
- Aging Technology: Many dealerships rely on outdated IT systems no longer supported by manufacturers.
- Limited IT & Cyber Expertise: Small IT teams must juggle multiple responsibilities, making it difficult to stay ahead of cyber threats.
- Human Error: 85% of dealership breaches originate from email phishing attacks due to low employee awareness.
- Financial & Legal Risks: Cyberattacks can lead to FTC fines (up to $45K per infraction), lawsuits, reputational damage, and even the loss of credit card processing capabilities.
As cybercrime becomes a $9.5 trillion global industry, fueled by organized crime syndicates and state-backed cyberterrorists, dealerships need a security solution that is both powerful and cost-effective.
The Solution: Blackswan Cybersecurity & Stellar Cyber Open XDR
To address these challenges, Blackswan Cybersecurity partners with Stellar Cyber’s Open XDR platform to offer an integrated, AI-driven security solution designed for mid-market dealerships.
Why Dealerships Choose This Solution:
- Enterprise-Level Protection at a Mid-Market Price: Blackswan provides FTC compliance for ~$20/month per employee, making advanced security affordable.
- Comprehensive Threat Detection & Response: Stellar Cyber’s platform consolidates SIEM, NDR, XDR, and AI-driven analytics into one easy-to-manage system.
- Seamless Implementation & 24/7 Support: Unlike traditional security vendors, Blackswan and Stellar Cyber work as an extension of the dealership’s team, providing hands-on guidance and continuous monitoring.
Real-World Impact: Jerry Durant Auto Group – Case Study
For Russell Haile, IT Director at Jerry’s Chevrolet in Weatherford, TX, managing cybersecurity on a mid-market budget has been an ongoing challenge. With a small IT team supporting 350 employees, Haile needed a cost-effective, easy-to-manage solution that wouldn’t overwhelm his staff.
By partnering with Blackswan Cybersecurity and implementing Stellar Cyber’s Open XDR platform, Jerry Durant Auto Group achieved:
- Faster Threat Detection: Automated threat analysis reduced response times and minimized attack risks.
- Simplified Security Management: Haile’s small IT team could now oversee cybersecurity operations efficiently without additional staff.
- Stronger Compliance & Customer Trust: Proactive security measures ensured FTC compliance and enhanced customer confidence in data protection.
Conclusion
Blackswan Cybersecurity and Stellar Cyber provide mid-market auto dealerships with a low-cost, one-stop cybersecurity solution that meets FTC compliance, protects sensitive customer data, and strengthens defenses against growing cyber threats. For IT leaders like Russell Haile at Jerry Durant Auto Group, this partnership means enterprise-level security without the complexity or cost of traditional solutions. With Stellar and Blackswan, mid-sized dealerships can direct their focus to selling cars with peace of mind that their business and customers are secure.