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Low-Cost Steps Can Prepare For, Prevent Cybersecurity Disruptions by John Yoswick Autobody News
Collision repair shops of all sizes in 2024 likely felt the impact of a cyberattack, albeit indirectly. Two such attacks on CDK Global over the summer hindered parts departments and body shop operations at thousands of dealerships around the country.
had no direct connectivity, but our operations were stopped and we had to pull people off of projects. And it took us months to clean that up.” It demonstrated how deep the connection is among shops and suppliers, she said, and it prompted Caliber to look more closely at all of its dependencies and planning what it would do “if another CDK happened.”
A panel discussion on cybersecurity at the MSO Symposium included, from left: Caliber Collision’s Ashley Denison, Spencer Colemere of Cisco, Jerry Davis of Microsoft and Kyle Rankin of CCC Intelligent Solutions.
The disruption also affected independent collision repairers who order parts from those dealers -- a good example of how cybersecurity at shops goes beyond securing their own systems and data. “CDK was like a fifth-level supplier to us. It was not on our radar, but it had such a big impact,” Ashley Denison, chief information officer for Caliber Collision, acknowledged during a panel discussion on data security at the MSO Symposium in Las Vegas. “Our shops couldn’t order parts. We had to make sure that [our systems] were safe and secure and
“It’s not just about protecting Caliber, but how do we react when something outside of Caliber happens,” Denison said. Think about what your company would do, she suggested, if, say, CCC Intelligent Solutions had a similar issue and went down for days or weeks. “What would you do to continue to bring revenue into your locations?” Denison asked. “So thinking through all those pieces of the chain from revenue and suppliers, and either
Vol. 43 / Issue 2 / February 2025 REGIONAL NEWS
Jon Crissman Brings Real-World Expertise to Collin College’s Collision Repair Program By Leona Scott Autobody News
In North Texas, Collin College’s collision repair program continues to build momentum, boasting its largest incoming class yet, with 75 new students enrolled for this fall. The demand for skilled instructors has never been greater, and the program has risen to the challenge by welcoming Jon Crissman, a seasoned industry professional, as an adjunct professor. Crissman’s extensive career and passion for mentoring make him an invaluable addition to the faculty. For Crissman, stepping into the classroom feels like coming full circle. “I’ve been in this industry since
I was 12 years old to now, at 50,” he reflected. Beginning in central Kansas, Crissman worked his way up from automotive management to estimator roles, gaining experience across the country in esteemed positions at Sewell Cadillac and Atkinson Toyota. Today, he serves as an onboarding specialist for Collision Advice, a leading consulting firm, where he works with collision centers nationwide to improve their operations. His role with Collision Advice introduced him to Collin College’s collision repair program, where he served on the advisory board before transitioning to teaching. Now, as l CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
REGIONAL NEWS
Companies Collaborate to Provide Collision Repair Students with Cutting-Edge Equipment By Alex Burke Autobody News
The automotive program at Ogden High School in Utah now boasts a brand-new CTR9 resistance spot welder, valued at more than $42,000, thanks to a partnership between Young Collision, Precision For Collision and Car-O-Liner, facilitated by the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation. The collaborative effort
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Students at Ogden High School gather to interact with the new Car-O-Liner resistance spot welder
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 9
Mike Anderson: 10 Things I’d Like to See in 2025 in the Collision
18
Abby Andrews: The Cost of Contamination: How to Clean Up Your
Repair Industry
Paint Department to Drive Profit
16
Stacey Phillips Ronak: AI Will Augment – Not Replace – Invaluable Role of ‘Human Intelligence’ in Collision Industry
44
John Yoswick: Automaker Details Repair Procedure Development, Says It Will Audit Certified Shops
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