Impel Renews Annual SOC 2 Type II Certification and Receives SOC 3 Certification
Syracuse, New York, December 20, 2024 — Impel, the global leader in AI-powered sales, marketing, and customer lifecycle management solutions for the automotive industry, announced today that it has renewed its Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II certification and received a SOC 3 certification. Carried out by global advisory firm Marcum LLP, the annual certifications validate Impel’s ongoing effectiveness in achieving the highest standards of data and privacy protection, highlighting the reliability of the Company’s practices in data security, business continuity, and compliance over an extended period.
SOC 2 and SOC 3 certifications are a widely recognized industry standard. They provide customers and other interested parties with assurance that Impel meets industry standards for protecting data and maintaining privacy, with the SOC 3 report offering a summary of findings that demonstrate the Company’s commitment to maintaining strong security and operational controls.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) developed SOC 2 and SOC 3 to evaluate and report on the controls that a company has in place to protect data. Information security is particularly vital for software and AI vendors serving the automotive industry. Impel’s successful completion of the SOC 2 Type II audit confirms that the Company’s practices, policies, and procedures align with or surpass the stringent standards set by the AICPA. This thorough third-party assessment of Impel’s information systems, controls, and protocols over an extended period highlights the Company’s dedication to maintaining world-class data security practices.
Data breaches, cyberattacks, and information security remain critical concerns globally. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average global cost of a data breach has risen to $4.88 million, a 10% increase compared to the previous year. This growth reflects escalating risks, as 40% of breaches involved data stored across multiple environments and more than one-third of breaches involved shadow data (data stored in unmanaged data sources), highlighting the growing challenge with tracking and safeguarding data.
Robust cybersecurity is indispensable for automotive retailers and OEMs, particularly in the wake of last year’s large-scale cyberattack and ransom event. Auto dealers and manufacturers depend heavily on SaaS and AI providers for core operations that involve the handling of customer information, including payment data, personal details, behavioral data, and vehicle histories – all of which are prime targets for cyberattacks. With increasing reliance on digital systems for inventory management, customer communications, and online sales and service, dealerships must protect these systems from ransomware, phishing, and other cyber threats. Ensuring strong cybersecurity helps auto dealers maintain operational continuity, safeguard their customers’ data, and build trust in an increasingly digital marketplace. All auto retailers, no matter their size, should ensure that their vendors are SOC 2 certified and demonstrate expertise in maintaining data protection policies and advanced threat monitoring and response strategies.
“Security is always of paramount importance, but with the rise of generative AI, it has become absolutely mission critical. At Impel, safeguarding data and protecting privacy remains a top strategic focus, underscoring our role as the premier provider of enterprise-level AI solutions for the automotive industry. Achieving excellence in security, availability, and reliability is the result of an intentional effort, and we take great pride in the dedication our team demonstrates in developing, executing, and upholding comprehensive security protocols,” stated Steve Saporta, Chief Information Officer at Impel. “Since we started more than a decade ago, we have committed resources to continuously enhance the systems and measures that protect the data we handle for our clients, partners, and their customers. This certification validates our unwavering dedication to information security and privacy, further reinforcing our leadership position in Automotive AI.”
About Impel
Impel offers automotive dealers, OEMs, and third-party marketplaces the industry’s most advanced AI Operating System. The company’s end-to-end omnichannel solution leverages proprietary consumer behavioral data and generative conversational AI technology to deliver hyper-personalized sales, marketing, and service experiences at every touchpoint of the customer lifecycle. Impel’s fully integrated automotive retail platform works seamlessly with all major website, inventory, CRM, and DMS platforms. To date, the company has delivered over 25 billion shopper interactions, influencing more than $6.5 billion in sales and service revenue across 51 countries.
