The concept of Chinese vehicles spying on us has seemed largely abstract, but a recent test by Norwegian bus line Ruter may change that. Ruter wanted to see if its electric buses could be hijacked, so it parked them in an isolated lot and let its security engineers test them.
One bus, a three-year-old unit from Dutch manufacturer VDL, came back completely clean. The cameras couldn’t be tapped for surveillance, and the connectivity systems couldn’t be hacked to alter the bus’ performance.
The other bus, a brand-new unit from Yutong, a Chinese manufacturer, didn’t fare so well. It was highly connected, with a SIM card from Romania, and the researchers found that it could be stopped or rendered inoperable remotely.
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Connectivity is a problem that affects many current vehicles, not just Chinese ones. Many vehicles allow access by their manufacturers for updates and service records, and some can even be “bricked” if they’re stolen. The issue is who has access to this connectivity.
Ruter’s research found that the Yutong bus’ architecture was relatively unsophisticated, which limited the amount of control available through an outside connection. They were able to build a local firewall around the entry point, which solved the problem.
However, this highlights a larger issue. Automakers are increasingly relying on connectivity as a profit center, offering updates and options over the air and selling data collected from vehicles to third parties.
The focus is on who has access to the connectivity, not the brand or origin of the vehicle. Where a car connects, or who it reports to, is suddenly very important. It is a matter of safety and security.
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In the past, concerns about digital security have been overshadowed by other issues, but this test by Ruter may change that. As vehicles become more connected, the potential risks and benefits need to be carefully considered.
Ruter’s test highlights the need for careful consideration of connectivity and security in vehicles. While the Yutong bus’ vulnerabilities were addressed through a local firewall, the larger issue of who has access to this connectivity remains a concern.
Security is key.
