Car dealers should increase cyber security, say experts

Automotive dealers need to improve their cyber security if they wish to maintain customers’ personal data and prevent financial details from being breached, say experts.

Wireless technology used for printers and the internet enables hackers to access confidential data on customers.

It is an issue that is becoming increasingly concerning, with the most recent Government Cyber Security Breaches survey revealing that 74% of small firms have reported a breach within the past 12 months.

William Taaffe, a cyber expert from RDS, said:

“Everyone loves convenience, but it comes at a price from a security point of view.”

He added that unprotected data of people who have undertaken test drives has the potential to open a gate to scammers and hackers.

There is little that customers are able to do in order to protect themselves after they have released their personal information to a car dealer. Trusted Dealers managing director Neil Addley said that it is crucial for businesses to improve their cyber security.

He said that at that point, it is up to the dealer to protect customer data, whether this means contact details or information held from a test drive.

Companies in all industries, not just car dealers, have a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of customer records. Ensuring that they have the necessary expertise in the workplace is key to securing those records. That is why it is so important that more cyber security jobs are created within UK firms to invite that expertise in-house.