Intel Launches Smart Car Security Watchdog

Intel is launching a new security board which will look to ensure that smart vehicles remain safe from the threat of hackers.

The Automotive Security Review Board (ASRB) will look to combine some of the leading minds in the field of connected security to carry out ongoing tests and audits that will create best practices and design recommendations for smart car security systems.

The company is even set to offer a free car to the ASRB member who comes up with the best contributions for Intel’s automotive platform.

Raising the bar

Intel says that as the world becomes ever more connected, the need for ensuring effective cybersecurity measures are in place is more important than ever before.

Recent predictions from Gartner say that by 2020, the number of connected passenger vehicles on the road in use will be about 150 million, 60 percent to 75 percent of them of which be capable of consuming, creating and sharing Web-based data.

“We can, and must, raise the bar against cyberattacks in automobiles,” said Chris Young, senior vice president and general manager of Intel Security.

“With the help of the ASRB, Intel can establish security best practices and encourage that cybersecurity is an essential ingredient in the design of every connected car. Few things are more personal than our safety while on the road, making the ASRB the right idea at the right time.”

The security of connected cars has become an increasing concern amongst what is a steadily growing industry as more and more manufacturers look to get involved in smart vehicles.

Last week, researchers at software security company Security Innovation reported that they were able to hack the radar scanner built in to some smart vehicles using a homemade tool made up of components costing less than £50, making it think that obstacles or pedestrians are in the road.

This can lead to the car to swerve without warning as it looks to try and avoid a collision, which could in fact lead to further accidents.

Earlier this month, Fiat Chrysler ordered a recall of 7,810 of its Jeep Renegade vehicles in the United States after they were found to be affected by a serious software vulnerability which put them at risk of attack by cybercriminals.

And in February, BMW confirmed it had patched a serious security flaw that could have allowed hackers to seize control of some of its cars’ systems. That flaw could have allowed hackers to the open doors of 2.2 million Rolls-Royce, Mini and BMW vehicles. The flaw could also have allowed the hackers to access the onboard vehicle computer system, which manages everything from engines and brakes to air conditioning.

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