--- title: "Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege! | DuoCircle" description: "Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege!" image: "https://www.duocircle.com/images/og-default.png" canonical: "https://www.duocircle.com/blog/data-privacy/cybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege/" --- Quick Answer The automotive sector is a top target for Business Email Compromise and Vendor Email Compromise because of high-value transactions and complex multi-vendor supply chains. Toyota Boshoku lost roughly $37M after an employee was tricked into changing wire account details. Modern BEC and VEC emails skip suspicious links or attachments, impersonate vendors and colleagues, and rely on urgency, which lets them slip past traditional email gateways. AI-driven inspection of email patterns plus regular social engineering training are the main defenses. Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege! Your browser does not support the audio element. [ Download episode](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/Cybercrime-Surge-The-Automotive-Sector-Under-Siege.mp3) Share [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=undefined%2Fblog%2Fdata-privacy%2Fcybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege%2F "Share on LinkedIn") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cybercrime%20Surge%3A%20The%20Automotive%20Sector%20Under%20Siege!&url=undefined%2Fblog%2Fdata-privacy%2Fcybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege%2F "Share on X/Twitter") [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=undefined%2Fblog%2Fdata-privacy%2Fcybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege%2F "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://reddit.com/submit?url=undefined%2Fblog%2Fdata-privacy%2Fcybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege%2F&title=Cybercrime%20Surge%3A%20The%20Automotive%20Sector%20Under%20Siege! "Share on Reddit") [ ](mailto:?subject=Cybercrime%20Surge%3A%20The%20Automotive%20Sector%20Under%20Siege!&body=Check out this article: undefined%2Fblog%2Fdata-privacy%2Fcybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege%2F "Share via Email") ![cybersecurity](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/phishing-protection-4.jpg) The automotive industry is known for its stability. Even when it received a significant setback during the COVID-19 phase, the **automobile industry managed to come out** of the dark phase and increased its sales to [75.3 million units.](https://www.statista.com/statistics/200002/international-car-sales-since-1990/) By the end of 2033, the global automotive industry is expected to be worth a whopping [$7 million](https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/3696). And it is this spectacular growth and **robust hold on the market** that make the [automotive industry](https://thehackernews.com/2024/04/fin7-cybercrime-group-targeting-us-auto.html) a favorite pick among the cybercriminals. Let’s see how [vulnerable the vehicle industry](https://www.logisticsinsider.in/automotive-supply-chain-most-attacked-sector-seqrite-report-warns/) is when it comes to **cyber threats**! ## Cybercriminals Aiming To Penetrate Deep Into The Automotive Sector! Cybercriminals are forever ready with their **tailor-made industry attacks**. While other sectors like finance and defense face the risk of illegitimate access to their sensitive data or intellectual property, the primary concerns for the automotive sector are [VEC (Vendor Email Compromise)](https://www.cloudflare.com/en-in/the-net/anatomy-vec/) and [BEC (Business Email Compromise)](https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/key-findings-business-email-compromise-bec-trends-report) attacks. Lately, the automobile industry has been experiencing a **sharp spike** in VEC and BEC attacks. [![Business Email Compromise](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/spf-validator.jpg)](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/spf-validator.jpg) The latest incident is quite alarming, where a threat actor managed to dupe a naive employee at **Toyota Boshoku**. The fraudster convinced the victim to alter their wire bank account details and swindled around [$37 million](https://cybersecuritynews.com/hackers-launch-business-email-compromise-attacks-on-the-automotive-industry/). But why is the automotive sector a **popular pick** among the [threat actors](https://securityaffairs.com/159611/hacking/thyssenkrupp-automotive-body-solutions-bu-cyberattack.html)? ## Automotive Sector And Its Vulnerability The key factor making the automobile industry a popular target among threat actors is its **high-value transactions**. The intricate supply chain system with **multiple vendors** is yet another reason for threat actors to seep into the [vehicle industry](https://www.autoweek.com/news/a46857624/cyberattacks-on-electric-vehicles-and-chargers/). [Cybersecurity](/) experts believe that the BEC and VEC attacks **no longer rely on conventional tactics** and are more inclined towards advanced [social engineering](/phishing-protection/social-engineering-is-a-growing-threat/) strategies. And that’s exactly why traditional security measures are not adequate to [prevent BEC](/email-security/top-strategies-to-avoid-business-email-compromise-and-upgrade-email-security/) and VEC attacks. Basically, scamsters conveniently **impersonate vendors** and colleagues through compromised accounts or [spoofed emails](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2024/04/30/automotive-email-compromise-attacks-video/) and compel the victims to initiate illegitimate payments or share sensitive data. _The key to bypassing [phishing protection](/email/phishing-protection) measures is to sound credible and create a sense of urgency_. Threat actors do the same by posing as reliable and trusted senders and **leveraging urgency** to compel swift actions. In the case of BEC attacks, the [malicious emails](https://siliconangle.com/2024/02/20/new-report-warns-ongoing-rise-malicious-emails-bypassing-secure-email-gateways/) do not include any suspicious links or attachments, which further **enhances their credibility**. Conventional [email security](/content/email-security-services) measures are eventually **failing to stop these fraudsters** from breaking into the automotive industry. The need of the hour is a fail-proof security setup that can identify modern social engineering tactics and the latest threats. [![malicious emails ](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/phishing-protection-1828.jpg)](https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/phishing-protection-1828.jpg) ## How To Safeguard The Automobile Sector From Cybercriminals? _Advanced security systems powered by [artificial intelligence](/email-security/how-artificial-intelligence-approaches-are-changing-the-email-security-landscape/) can easily help automobile companies to steer clear of BEC and VEC attacks._ AI effectively **studies the repetitive patterns** and underlying email environment by scanning the email content **minutely** which further helps in determining the legitimacy of every email. Also, organizing **regular employee training sessions** to keep them well-versed about the [latest social engineering strategies](https://www.aura.com/learn/types-of-social-engineering-attacks) can help prevent major BEC and VEC attacks. ## Topics SecurityTrendsUpdates ![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/team/brad-slavin.jpg) Brad Slavin General Manager General Manager at DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead across the email security portfolio. ## Secure your email infrastructure Protect, authenticate, and deliver. Contact our team to find the right solution. [Contact Sales](/contact/) [Explore Products](/products/) ## Related Articles [ Privacy 6m AI Models Are Stealing Your Passwords By Listening To Your Keyboard Oct 20, 2023 ](/blog/data-privacy/ai-models-are-stealing-your-passwords-by-listening-to-your-keyboard/)[ Privacy 3m Check Point Research Q1 2024 Results- Microsoft, Google, and Linkedin Topped the List; Airbnb is a New Entry Apr 18, 2024 ](/blog/data-privacy/check-point-research-q1-2024-microsoft-google-linkedin-lead-airbnb-joins/)[ Privacy 6m Cyber Security vs Ethical Hacking: What’s the Difference? Apr 10, 2024 ](/blog/data-privacy/cyber-security-vs-ethical-hacking-whats-the-difference/)[ Privacy 5m Cybersecurity Conferences that CISOs Should Attend in 2024 Apr 3, 2024 ](/blog/data-privacy/cybersecurity-conferences-that-cisos-should-attend-in-2024/) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/images/duocircle-logo.png"},"description":"DuoCircle is a portfolio of specialized email products covering protection, authentication, delivery, and routing. We deliver about 90% of category-leader capability at roughly half the price, backed by experts who own the outcome. Trusted by 50,000+ organizations since 2014.","subOrganization":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138898167","name":"DMARC Report","url":"https://dmarcreport.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897474","name":"AutoSPF","url":"https://autospf.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897912","name":"Phish Protection","url":"https://www.phishprotection.com"}],"sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/company/duocircle","https://x.com/duocirclellc","https://www.facebook.com/duocirclellc","https://www.g2.com/products/phish-protection-by-duocircle/reviews","https://github.com/duocircle","https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/duocircle-llc"],"contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","url":"https://support.duocircle.com"},"knowsAbout":["Email Security","Email Authentication","SPF","DKIM","DMARC","Phishing Protection","Spam Filtering","SMTP Relay","Email Deliverability","Email Forwarding"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebSite","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com","description":"DuoCircle is a portfolio of specialized email products covering protection, authentication, delivery, and routing. We deliver about 90% of category-leader capability at roughly half the price, backed by experts who own the outcome. Trusted by 50,000+ organizations since 2014.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/images/duocircle-logo.png"},"description":"DuoCircle is a portfolio of specialized email products covering protection, authentication, delivery, and routing. We deliver about 90% of category-leader capability at roughly half the price, backed by experts who own the outcome. Trusted by 50,000+ organizations since 2014.","subOrganization":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138898167","name":"DMARC Report","url":"https://dmarcreport.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897474","name":"AutoSPF","url":"https://autospf.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897912","name":"Phish Protection","url":"https://www.phishprotection.com"}]}} ``` ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","headline":"Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege!","description":"Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege!","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/data-privacy/cybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege/","datePublished":"2024-05-23T13:52:38.000Z","dateModified":"2025-08-26T11:27:34.000Z","dateCreated":"2024-05-23T13:52:38.000Z","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.duocircle.com/authors/brad-slavin/#person","name":"Brad Slavin","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/authors/brad-slavin/","jobTitle":"General Manager","description":"Brad Slavin runs DuoCircle, the company behind DMARC Report, AutoSPF, Phish Protection, and Mailhop. His focus is product strategy, customer relationships, and the commercial and compliance side of email authentication (DPAs, SLAs, enterprise procurement).","image":"https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/team/brad-slavin.jpg","knowsAbout":["Email Security Strategy","SaaS Product Management","Enterprise Compliance","Customer Success","Email Deliverability Business"],"worksFor":{"@type":"Organization","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com"},"sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin"]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/images/duocircle-logo.png"},"description":"DuoCircle is a portfolio of specialized email products covering protection, authentication, delivery, and routing. We deliver about 90% of category-leader capability at roughly half the price, backed by experts who own the outcome. Trusted by 50,000+ organizations since 2014.","subOrganization":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138898167","name":"DMARC Report","url":"https://dmarcreport.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897474","name":"AutoSPF","url":"https://autospf.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897912","name":"Phish Protection","url":"https://www.phishprotection.com"}]},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/data-privacy/cybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege/"},"articleSection":"data-privacy","keywords":"Security, Trends, Updates","wordCount":505,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/phishing-protection-4.jpg","caption":"cybersecurity","width":900,"height":591},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":[".answer-block","h1"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Privacy"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege!","item":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/data-privacy/cybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege/"}]}] ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.duocircle.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Privacy","item":"https://www.duocircle.comundefined"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege!","item":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/data-privacy/cybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege/"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","headline":"Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege!","description":"Cybercrime Surge: The Automotive Sector Under Siege!","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/data-privacy/cybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege/","datePublished":"2024-05-23T13:52:38.000Z","dateModified":"2025-08-26T11:27:34.000Z","dateCreated":"2024-05-23T13:52:38.000Z","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.duocircle.com/authors/brad-slavin/#person","name":"Brad Slavin","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/authors/brad-slavin/","jobTitle":"General Manager","description":"Brad Slavin runs DuoCircle, the company behind DMARC Report, AutoSPF, Phish Protection, and Mailhop. His focus is product strategy, customer relationships, and the commercial and compliance side of email authentication (DPAs, SLAs, enterprise procurement).","image":"https://media.mailhop.org/dmarcreport/images/team/brad-slavin.jpg","knowsAbout":["Email Security Strategy","SaaS Product Management","Enterprise Compliance","Customer Success","Email Deliverability Business"],"worksFor":{"@type":"Organization","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com"},"sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin"]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"DuoCircle LLC","url":"https://www.duocircle.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.duocircle.com/images/duocircle-logo.png"},"description":"DuoCircle is a portfolio of specialized email products covering protection, authentication, delivery, and routing. We deliver about 90% of category-leader capability at roughly half the price, backed by experts who own the outcome. Trusted by 50,000+ organizations since 2014.","subOrganization":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138898167","name":"DMARC Report","url":"https://dmarcreport.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897474","name":"AutoSPF","url":"https://autospf.com"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138897912","name":"Phish Protection","url":"https://www.phishprotection.com"}]},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.duocircle.com/blog/data-privacy/cybercrime-surge-the-automotive-sector-under-siege/"},"articleSection":"data-privacy","keywords":"Security, Trends, Updates","wordCount":505,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://media.mailhop.org/duocircle/images/2024/05/phishing-protection-4.jpg","caption":"cybersecurity","width":900,"height":591},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":[".answer-block","h1"]}} ```