Following a cyber attack on CDK Global that shut down computer systems at car dealerships across the country, the company announced that it has begun system recovery efforts.
CDK, a company that provides software to car dealerships, suspended operations on Wednesday after a series of cyberattacks, with Bloomberg reporting that a group of hackers were demanding a ransom of tens of millions of dollars.
Work is underway to restore service, but CDK estimates the process will take several days.
Car dealerships such as AutoNation Inc. and Pierre Licia Motors Inc. have experienced disruptions that could negatively impact their operations, Reuters reported on Monday, with some dealerships reverting to paper-based methods of doing business.
USA TODAY reached out to CDK on Monday for an update.
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Hackers Target CDK Global Automotive Dealer Management System
The cyberattack on CDK was first reported on Wednesday, and the company shut down most of its systems “out of an abundance of caution,” a CDK spokesperson previously told USA Today.
CDK restored some of its systems that afternoon, but in a letter to customers it said another cyber attack occurred later that night, causing the company to take its systems offline again.
The process of fully restoring the software is expected to take several days.
What is CDK Global?
CDK is one of the nation’s leading providers of cloud-based software to dealerships that helps them manage vehicle acquisition, sales, financing, insurance, repairs and maintenance. The company’s website states that it offers a “three-tiered cybersecurity strategy to prevent, protect and respond to cyber attacks.”
According to CDK’s website, the company partners with more than 15,000 retailers nationwide.
Is CDK still down?
CDK did not immediately respond to USA Today’s request Monday for an update on how many businesses were affected and whether any had been restored.
However, CDK began restoration efforts on Saturday which a company spokesman said were expected to take “several days” to complete.
CDK hackers demand multi-million dollar ransom: Report
An Eastern European cybercrime group claims to be behind the attack, according to Bloomberg. CDK is reportedly willing to pay the tens of millions of dollars it is demanding, but negotiations could move forward, Bloomberg reports.
