Modern vehicles are no longer just modes of transportation—they’re high-tech, data-collecting machines.
From onboard audio recording to visual surveillance and real-time location tracking, these capabilities come with benefits but also introduce significant risks.
Here’s what your business needs to consider:
1. Data Collection Risks
Most vehicles now come equipped with audio and visual recording devices, as well as GPS tracking systems.
While convenient for navigation, safety, or entertainment, this data can pose risks:
• Conversations held in vehicles may be recorded and stored without clear consent.
• Location tracking can expose sensitive travel patterns or meetings.
• Video feeds can unintentionally capture confidential details, such as who is entering or exiting secure areas.
Questions to ask your team:
• Are we aware of the data our company vehicles collect?
• How is this data stored, accessed, and secured?
2. Connecting Personal Devices to Vehicles
When team members connect phones or devices to a vehicle’s infotainment system, data like contact lists, text messages, and call logs can be uploaded to the vehicle’s memory.
If vehicles are resold or hacked, this data could be exposed.
Steps to mitigate the risk:
• Ensure team members know to remove personal devices from the vehicle’s system before returning, selling, or disposing of the vehicle.
• Regularly clear vehicle memory of stored data.
3. Foreign Manufacturing Risks
Many vehicles and their tracking technologies are manufactured by companies in jurisdictions with less stringent data security regulations.
Chinese-produced systems, for example, often raise concerns about data privacy and the potential for backdoor access by foreign entities.
What to consider:
• Have we reviewed the origins of the vehicle technology we’re using?
• Do our policies reflect the potential risks of using certain brands or manufacturers?
4. Connectivity and Proximity Risks
Vehicles with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless capabilities can potentially connect to external networks or devices.
If parked near company buildings or critical infrastructure, they could be exploited to gain access to secure networks.
Key considerations:
• Are company vehicles parked within the range of sensitive or critical systems?
• Are wireless features in vehicles turned off when not in use?
How to Stay Ahead of These Risks
1. Review and Update Policies:
• Include vehicle data and connectivity in your Acceptable Usage Policy.
• Educate employees on the risks of connecting devices to vehicles.
2. Conduct Regular Audits:
• Clear stored data from company vehicles regularly.
• Assess the brands and origins of vehicles and their technologies before procurement.
3. Limit Wireless Connectivity:
• Disable unnecessary wireless features, especially near sensitive areas.
• Use secure parking zones where possible to reduce risks.
4. Consider Alternatives:
• Evaluate vehicles with higher security standards for your company fleet.
• Choose systems with transparent privacy policies and better data control options.
Vehicles are becoming smarter, but with that intelligence comes responsibility.
By understanding and addressing these risks, you can ensure that your company’s mobility solutions don’t become a gateway for cyber or data breaches.
If you need guidance on updating policies or training your team on these risks, we’re here to help. Together, we can keep your business moving—safely and securely.
At Be Hard to Hack, we’re dedicated to helping you stay secure online no matter the season.