Monument, Co., February 5, 2025 - BotDoc.io, a leading provider of secure file transfer and identity verification solutions, today released the results of a comprehensive 2025 Auto Dealership Cybersecurity Survey. The findings reveal critical gaps in the industry's cybersecurity and data security preparedness, serving as a wake-up call for dealerships nationwide.

Data Protection Among Largest Gaps

The online survey, conducted in November, 2024, exposes significant gaps in cybersecurity practices and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing data protection in the coming year. The results indicate that while many dealerships have basic security measures in place, such as antivirus software (17.48%) and firewalls (19.42%), there is a notable lack of more advanced protections. Alarmingly, only 9.71% of dealerships currently employ secure data in transit solutions, a critical component in safeguarding sensitive customer information.

Employee training also emerged as a major area of concern, with 35.92% of respondents identifying it as the aspect of cybersecurity most in need of improvement. This is further underscored by the fact that 39.81% of dealerships only conduct cybersecurity training annually, and 9.71% never provide such training at all.

Many Dealerships Still Uncertain About Attacks

Furthermore, the survey also reveals a troubling trend in cyber attack experiences, with 19.42% of dealerships reporting they have been victims of data breaches or cyber attacks, while 40.78% remain unsure if they have been compromised. This uncertainty points to a critical need for improved detection and response capabilities.

A key challenge highlighted by the survey is the difficulty dealerships face in finding the right cybersecurity provider. Twenty-four percent of respondents cited an inability to find the right partner or resource as their biggest obstacle in implementing cybersecurity measures. This struggle emphasizes the need for specialized cybersecurity solutions tailored to the auto dealership industry.

Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining. The survey indicates that many dealerships are planning to invest in various cybersecurity technologies for 2025. Cloud security solutions (20.39%), ransomware defense (19.42%), and AI for threat detection (17.48%) top the list of planned investments. However, it's concerning that only 9.71% of dealerships plan to invest in secure data in transit solutions, despite the critical importance of protecting data during transmission.

“As we look toward 2025, it's clear that auto dealerships must make cybersecurity a top priority,” said Karl Falk, CEO of Botdoc. “Cybersecurity was thrown into the forefront in 2024, but the industry must act swiftly to address the continued gaps identified in this survey and ensure robust protection against evolving cyber threats. Auto dealerships are urged to reassess their cybersecurity strategies, prioritize employee training, and seek out the right partners to strengthen their defenses. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the protection of sensitive customer data and business operations must be at the top of every dealership's agenda for 2025 and beyond.”

About Botdoc
Botdoc is the global leader in Secure Digital Transportation (SDT) Technologies. Powered by patented technologies, Botdoc allows organizations to employ a secure and encrypted channel with consumers to exchange documents, signatures, payments and other capabilities without the traditional challenges of passwords, apps, logins or plugins. The NOW™ product can be implemented immediately, and institutions of any size can be up and running in less than 15 minutes.  The Botdoc API can be built into existing platforms to transport documents and data in and out of that system without anyone ever having to log in to the system the API is built into.  Botdoc is currently built into numerous software platforms, some of which are Salesforce and EPIC. For more information, visit www.botdoc.io.

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