Blogs
August 12, 2026 / August 12, 2026 by Peter Sherek
The Federal Trade Commission’s recent lawsuit against Hims & Hers is more than a telehealth story—it’s a clear signal about how the FTC is approaching privacy, data sharing, and consumer protection across all industries. Dealerships should pay close attention. In its complaint, the FTC alleges that Hims & Hers shared sensitive health information with advertising […]
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White Papers
The Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) breach is one of the most consequential ShinyHunters operations to date not because it hit a sports empire, but because it exposed the exact weaknesses that dealerships, non‑profits, and mid‑market organizations struggle with every day. ShinyHunters claims to have stolen 26 million+ customer and corporate records, including PII, internal […]
The following is a true cyber breach story (no, it’s not becoming a TV series); however, the learnings of what to do and, more importantly, what not to do when a breach happens affect all dealer owners. I am Tony Haux, the CTO and CISO at Accelerate2Compliance. Bob was not a customer of ours, but […]
June 26, 2026 / June 26, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Today’s hacker gangs like ShinyHunters and Scattered Spider are organized, well-funded, and disturbingly good at impersonating your staff, vendors, and even your customers. These groups aren’t just poking around for fun. They’re targeting dealerships with social engineering, voice phishing (aka “vishing”), and credential theft to access sensitive data, loyalty programs, and financial systems. And they’re […]
June 11, 2026 / June 25, 2026 by Peter Sherek
The World Cup isn’t just a global sporting event; it’s a global distraction. Drew Todd noted in his recent SecureWorld analysis that cybercriminals have spent the last several years quietly building the infrastructure needed to take advantage of moments exactly like this. High‑traffic events create predictable spikes in risky behavior, and dealerships are uniquely exposed. […]
May 20, 2026 / May 20, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Social engineering remains one of the most effective attack methods used against powersports, RV, and auto dealerships because it bypasses technology and goes straight for the human element. Recent reporting highlights how attackers increasingly rely on psychology, impersonation, and staged legitimacy to compromise organizations. AI tools make it almost impossible to determine fake personas from […]
May 12, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Accelerate2Compliance recently joined the National Powersport Dealer Association to host an educational webinar covering data privacy, cybersecurity, and FTC Safeguards Rule compliance for powersports dealerships. Watch the full session below to learn how dealerships can reduce risk while turning customer trust into a competitive advantage. Consumer data privacy is no longer just a legal issue—it’s […]
May 6, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Did you get the memo? The one on the Internet from the FCC, you know, about your network routers? On March 23, 2026, the FCC published a list of prohibited computer network routers. They deemed that the routers on the “Covered List” pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the U.S. and its […]
April 9, 2026 / April 30, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Across the country, consumer‑privacy enforcement is entering its most aggressive period in decades. Both federal and state regulators have made it clear that businesses — including automotive, powersport, and RV dealerships — must ensure their privacy notices, website practices, and data‑handling operations accurately reflect what they actually do. The era of “copy‑and‑paste” privacy policies or […]
April 8, 2026 / April 30, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Why Service Centers, Connected Cars, and Human Behavior Are Now the Biggest Cyber Risks The automotive industry is experiencing a level of cyber risk that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Dealerships across automotive, RV, and powersports have been caught in the crossfire of several major incidents over the past year—most notably […]
March 18, 2026 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
If you want to understand where the next wave of cyber risk is hitting dealerships, powersports stores, and RV centers, look past the showroom and straight into the service lane. Upstream’s 2026 Global Automotive & Smart Mobility Cybersecurity Report makes it clear: attackers are no longer just targeting vehicles or OEM cloud platforms—they’re exploiting every […]
February 25, 2026 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Dealerships increasingly rely on website banners to manage customer tracking preferences—but recent lawsuits show that many banners don’t actually do what they claim. And regulators, especially in California, are making it clear: if your website says it honors opt‑out choices, it must do so in practice. A recent class action against the ATP Tour illustrates […]
February 18, 2026 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
If you thought phishing was just about shady emails, think again. The latest wave of cyberattacks is hitting retailers through their ears—literally. It’s called vishing (voice phishing), and it’s been used to trick staff into handing over access to CRM systems like Salesforce. Even tech giants like Allianz Life, Google and Cisco have been caught […]
January 14, 2026 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
As of January 1, 2026, the Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act (KCDPA) is officially in force, adding to the growing list of state-specific privacy laws. This act brings new expectations for any dealership that sells to or maintains a business relationship with Kentucky consumers. The law gives residents important rights over their personal data, including […]
December 3, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
700Credit recently announced that they were the victims of a hack that exposed personally Identifiable Information (PII). This event highlights the urgent need for dealerships to strengthen their data protection practices. You can read more about the breach here and here. Even if your store has not been directly impacted, this event underscores the importance […]
November 12, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
In today’s digital landscape, senior executives aren’t just leading organizations; they’re becoming prime targets. For auto, RV, and powersport dealerships, where leadership often holds direct access to financial systems, customer data, and vendor relationships, the risk is especially acute. But this threat extends far beyond the showroom floor. Any organization with high-profile executives and valuable […]
November 12, 2025 / April 9, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Watch this video where our Chief Compliance Officer, Matt Vatter, discusses the risks dealers face and what Accelerate2Compliance does to help them address these risks and better protect their customers’ data and themselves.
October 14, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
In August 2025, Motility Software Solutions, a widely used dealer management system (DMS) provider for powersport and RV dealerships, suffered a significant ransomware attack that compromised the personal data of over 766,000 individuals. The breach exposed sensitive information, including names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license details. Although Motility has restored its systems and […]
October 7, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
If you’re running a dealership, you’ve probably got enough on your plate: inventory, customer service, compliance, driving foot traffic, and keeping your digital tools up to date. But there’s a new kind of threat creeping into the industry, and it’s not just targeting the big guys anymore. Meet the emerging cybercrime collectives like Scattered Spider […]
September 23, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Salt Typhoon, Scattered Spider, Shiny Hunter, and Silent Starling – sounds like code names from a spy novel, right? These are groups that are actively trying to infiltrate your digital systems and steal your data. Groups like these have compromised hospital systems, payroll platforms, cloud vendors, automobile OEMs, and even cybersecurity firms. Your industry is […]
July 31, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Most dealerships rely on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to support growth. These systems help personalize outreach, guide marketing strategies, and build long-term relationships. CRM data includes names, contact info, purchase history, service records, and behavioral trends—valuable insights that help businesses thrive. But here’s the catch: that same data is just as valuable to cybercriminals. […]
June 19, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reiterated its commitment to enforcing the Safeguards Rule, which requires dealerships and other financial institutions to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program. As of June 16, 2025, the FTC has issued updated guidance (see the FAQ here) to remind organizations that compliance is not optional. A […]
June 10, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
Dealerships face significant security vulnerabilities, operational inefficiencies, and compliance risks if they do not act to upgrade their computers before October 2025. As the deadline for Windows 10 support looms closer, dealerships that have yet to make the switch to Windows 11 are running out of time. The Countdown to Windows 10 End-of-Support: Why Dealerships […]
April 22, 2025 / April 8, 2026 by Peter Sherek
The issue of personal digital privacy is an increasing concern to consumers. As federal legislators struggle with federal legislation to regulate how businesses must handle consumer privacy, states across the U.S. are stepping up to protect consumer privacy. These laws aim to give individuals greater control over their personal data while imposing stricter compliance requirements […]
