“To restore consumer confidence in our nation’s auto safety system it is imperative NHTSA act quickly to develop a fuller understanding of the breadth and depth of the safety threat now confronting motorists.”

Washington, DC (July 27, 2015) – Today, U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) urged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to take immediate action and investigate potential widespread risk for consumers because of vulnerabilities in auto information and entertainment systems. In a letter to NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind, Blumenthal and Markey noted recent revelations that software defects enable hackers to remotely access cars and allow the control of vital vehicle systems such as the engine, braking system, steering, and transmission. While the discovered defect was in a Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) 2014 Jeep, the Senators implored NHTSA to look into cybersecurity vulnerabilities in other wireless connected cars to eliminate safety risks posed by malicious hackers.

“We were deeply troubled to learn that these software defects can be exploited by malicious hackers to potentially wreak havoc on our roads,” the Senators wrote. “These revelations highlight the acute risks now facing modern motorists as automakers continue to connect cars ever closer to the digital world.”

"To restore consumer confidence in our nation’s auto safety system it is imperative that NHTSA act quickly to develop a fuller understanding of the breadth and depth of the safety threat now confronting motorists. NHTSA must rapidly determine whether other vehicle models are affected by this particular vulnerability, and how remedial actions can be deployed by manufacturers and regulators to secure all vehicles on our roads.

“Modern vehicles are continuously expanding and advancing their connectivity–incorporating advanced systems for navigation, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, and infotainment. We expect that the number of potential attack surfaces in modern vehicles will only increase, and we are only just beginning to understand the nature of the emerging threat posed by car-hacking. Until we can identify all vulnerable systems and vehicles, car-hacking will continue to present a critical threat to the safety of drivers, passengers, and road users.”

The Senators’ full letter can be viewed HERE.

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