Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- New cybersecurity regulations in the EU will require all new vehicles sold after July 7, 2024 to comply with strict rules to prevent cyber attacks.
- Some automakers have already axed older models due to the high cost of upgrading their electronic architecture to meet the new regulations.
According to a recent study, cybersecurity threats are imminent with modern automobiles as sensors on cars could monitor the surrounding environment and send data to their manufacturers, making them potential targets for hackers and cyber attacks. The United Nations and the European Union have introduced strict rules about cybersecurity in automobiles, with all new vehicles sold in the European Union from July 7, 2024 onwards having to comply with the UN regulations R155 and R156.
These regulations have already forced several automakers to discontinue older models from their lineups in the EU, including VW, Porsche, Audi, Renault, and Smart. Economists have raised concerns about modern electric vehicles being “spying machines on four wheels” due to the sensitive data that can be siphoned off and transferred to manufacturers.
A recent study titled “Automotive Cyber Security” conducted by the German Center of Automotive Management and Cisco Systems highlighted the imminent cyber risks in modern automobiles, particularly with the proliferation of software-defined vehicles, electromobility, autonomous driving, and interconnected supply chains.
