3G Shutdown an Opportunity to Boost Cyber Defences
WORDS BY GEOTAB
The Internet of Things ( IoT ) has exploded in popularity in recent years , including on our roads . By one estimate , Australia already has an estimated 1.2 million connected cars . Telematics technology offers immense benefits for fleet managers , but it creates new avenues of vulnerability for cyber-criminals . One way to minimize these threats is to use more up-to-date , secure devices . The 3G shutdown could be a great opportunity for fleet managers to upgrade to the latest , most secure technology .
What is the cybersecurity threat ?
Today ’ s cars and trucks are more tech-enabled than ever before . By 2030 , cars will require 300 million lines of software code . More complex software and the increase of vehicle digitisation creates opportunity for cyberattacks . The infrastructure that supports these systems can also be targeted . At present , many fleet managers are reassessing their telematics solutions , because older devices will cease to work when the 3G mobile network shuts down . This could be a great opportunity for fleet managers to upgrade to devices that meet their security needs .
Geotab has prioritised cybersecurity in all of its offerings because it is cognizant of the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks — such as the Optus and Medibank hacks that affected millions of Australians — and the threat they pose to vehicles .
What are the emerging vehicle cybersecurity threats ?
1 . Data theft : Vehicles generate tremendous amounts of valuable data —– Geotab collects 55 billion data points daily — - including detailed histories of activity related to a company ’ s operations . Transport businesses have been targeted in the past , including a mid-sized trucking company in Texas that suffered a ransomware attack and also had its operations compromised by hackers .
2 . Vehicle takeover : The potential for a hacker to gain control of a vehicle while a driver is behind the wheel has been demonstrated in a number of videos and at hackathon conferences . Thankfully , it ’ s both difficult and
18 ISSUE 42 AUGUST 2023 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU