When we think of cyber security, most of us naturally think of our computers and smartphones. What about other devices in our lives that are connected to the internet?
Vehicles are a perfect example. A recent study found that 90 percent of cars on the road today have some form of wireless connection, from Bluetooth and 4G/LTE to wi-fi and satellite radio. As vehicles become more and more connected, they become increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
That’s why it’s important for automakers and suppliers to consider cyber security throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle — not just when the car is first being developed but also during production, marketing, and eventual decommissioning. From design and development to production, operation, and decommissioning, cyber security must be considered at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle.
It doesn’t stop there as once a vehicle is retired, its data and systems must still be protected from malicious actors. That’s why a holistic, lifecycle-oriented approach to cyber security is essential for today’s automotive companies.
By thinking about cyber security at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle, you can ensure that your vehicles are protected against the ever-evolving threats they face. There are some key considerations for each stage of the vehicle lifecycle:
Design and Development
During this phase, it’s important to consider how cyber security can be built into the vehicle from the ground up. This means thinking about things like which systems and components need to be protected and how best to do so.
Production
During production, it’s important to ensure that cyber security controls are in place to protect against threats during assembly and testing. This includes things like making sure only authorized personnel have access to critical systems and ensuring that all software is properly tested before it’s installed on vehicles.
Operation
Once a vehicle is in operation, it’s important to monitor for signs of attack and take steps to prevent or mitigate them. This includes things like patching vulnerabilities as they’re discovered and keeping an eye out for unusual activity on the vehicle’s systems.
Decommissioning
When a vehicle is retired, it’s important to properly decommission it to ensure that its data and systems are protected. This includes things like wiping all data from the vehicle’s systems and physically destroying any components that could be used to access them.
By taking a lifecycle-oriented approach to cyber security, you can ensure that your vehicles are protected against the ever-evolving threats they face. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your vehicles.
As cars become more connected, the potential for cyberattacks also increases. To protect drivers and passengers, automakers and suppliers must take a comprehensive, holistic approach to cyber security that covers the entire vehicle lifecycle — from design through disposal.
In addition to implementing strong security measures during product development, companies must also create an incident response plan that can be activated in the event of a breach. Finally, they need to educate their customers about the risks of hacking and how to stay safe online.