Dive Brief:
- Senators Edward Markey and Richard Blumenthal wrote to 18 automakers on Wednesday, asking about their efforts to protect vehicles from hacking incidents, Reuters reports.
- The senators want to know how the automakers can ensure attackers cannot gain access to onboard networks.
- Attention on vehicle security has grown dramatically following the recall of 1.4 million vehicles in July after a Jeep was hacked while being driven.
Dive Insight:
A report conducted by Markey and released in February of this year concluded that technology used in cars has outpaced efforts to protect them from cyber criminals.
“As vehicles become increasingly connected to the Internet, and to one another through advanced features and services, we continue to see how these technologies present vulnerabilities that can compromise the safety and privacy of drivers and passengers," the senators' letter said.
In July, the same two senators called on the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration to help protect drivers against vehicle cyber-attacks. They also introduced the Security and Privacy in Your Car Act, which would require the federal government to establish standards to ensure automakers protect drivers against vehicle cyber-attacks.
