GlobalPlatform Joins Fight Against Automotive Cybersecurity 'Ticking Time Bomb'

Modern vehicles have become prime targets for cyberattacks as they operate with tens of millions of lines of code and up to 150 electronic control units in premium models. Security researcher Eaton Zveare warns that insufficient industry investment in protection makes vehicle cybersecurity a "ticking time bomb," with automakers potentially facing incidents they haven't yet detected.

Recent attacks highlight the severity of the threat—Jaguar Land Rover suffered severe disruptions to retail and production activities from a cyberattack. Industry efforts to address these vulnerabilities include GlobalPlatform, which recently added Stellantis as a member, with the automaker's cybersecurity expert Bill Mazzara becoming co-chair of GlobalPlatform's Automotive Task Force. The consortium is working to develop standardized security protocols across the automotive sector.

However, automaker practices sometimes undermine security goals. General Motors shared driver data with third-party brokers through OnStar, including mileage and driving behavior information, even for customers who hadn't subscribed to the Smart Driver program, raising concerns about data privacy alongside cybersecurity threats.

https://carbuzz.com/cybersecurity-threats-ticking-time-bomb/