Cars are getting “smarter,” and people who intend to use these vehicles want them to have proper cybersecurity protections, according to a new report from BlackBerry.
The company sought to learn about people’s ideas about Internet of Things (IoT) devices and protect the cybersecurity of such devices, in preparation for Launching the Cyber Security Labels Program for IoT Devices (Opens in a new tab)such as smart speakers and door cameras, in 2023.
The program, unlike EnergyStar which tells consumers how much power a gadget is using, will tell consumers more about the level of security built into their IoT devices.
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BlackBerry surveyed more than 1,000 people and found that three-quarters (74%) agree that connected cars and electric vehicle charging stations should be rated based on the level of cybersecurity protection baked in.
Elsewhere in the report, only half (54%) of respondents were found to be concerned about their IoT devices being hijacked and used endpoints In things like botnets or ransomware attacks.
Furthermore, a third (32%) said they own IoT devices and keep them offline due to cybersecurity concerns. However, 82% agree – a cybersecurity rating like this could be helpful.
The survey won’t guarantee that the program will end up including smart cars in the sticker program, but the White House that measures public opinion on the topic may indicate the direction of the project.
The inclusion of smart cars in the program would certainly be welcome, given that Reports Of hacked smart cars, with the potential for catastrophic consequences, is nothing new.
In February 2020, cybersecurity experts McAfee published their own report Report (Opens in a new tab) Warning that the vehicle’s artificial intelligence (AI) systems can be tampered with, which could affect the future and safety of self-driving vehicles.
This process, which McAfee calls a “hacking model,” is capable of bypassing entire software systems within vehicles. The continuous development of artificial intelligence technology, and the smart cars themselves, makes model hacking a problem that will plague smart car owners for years to come.
We may not see the full impact of “model hacking” until then, as autonomous vehicle technology is in its early development stage, and the beta technology Tesla offers, for example, to consumers is still a long way from entering the mainstream.
While we may not need to worry too much at the moment, awareness of the dangers surrounding smart cars should prepare us for the future, and the White House’s planned program should help us.
Across: Ars Technica (Opens in a new tab)