{"id":6127,"date":"2020-06-16T14:24:38","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T12:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=6127"},"modified":"2020-06-16T14:24:38","modified_gmt":"2020-06-16T12:24:38","slug":"fleet-data","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2020\/06\/16\/fleet-data\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Fleet Data from Security Threats"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Big data is revolutionizing fleet management \u2014 specifically in the form of telematics.<\/p>\n

From engine diagnostics that track fuel efficiency and mileage to sensors that detect aggressive driving behavior and interior vehicle activity, this information is so valuable that we\u2019re quickly approaching the point where connected technology will come standard in every vehicle.<\/p>\n

Telematics is an operational goldmine. Whether it is with a fleet management services<\/a> provider or an internal fleet management team, businesses can easily gather measurable, actionable data that can help control operating expenses, improve driver safety, and communicate with drivers in real time.<\/p>\n

But with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever new technology is introduced, vulnerabilities are exposed, and hacking threats become real. No business is immune.<\/p>\n

The Risks<\/strong><\/h5>\n

At the 2017 National Governors Association, Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk expressed his number one priority: preventing fleet-wide hacks. \u201cIt is my top concern from a security standpoint \u2014 that Tesla is making sure that a fleet-wide hack or any vehicle-specific hack can\u2019t occur,\u201d said Musk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Musk has valid reasons to be concerned. Upstream.auto<\/a> reports that there has been a 94% year-over-year increase in cybersecurity attacks on vehicles since 2016. And the smarter our vehicles get, the smarter malevolent hackers become.<\/p>\n

Andy Greenberg of Wired<\/a> experienced this first-hand when hackers were able to remotely kill his Jeep on the highway while he was driving. Greenberg was a willing test subject, but that doesn\u2019t diminish the chaos the professional hackers were able to create. Through wireless access to the Jeep\u2019s software, the hackers were able to disable the brakes, take control of the steering wheel, blast the radio and air conditioning and cut the accelerator.<\/p>\n

This wireless carjacking was merely a test to see what level of hacking was possible \u2014 but it was a successful test. Vulnerabilities in the vehicle\u2019s telematics were easily exposed, which means fleet managers and drivers need to ensure that their vehicles are following security best practices to avoid these threats.<\/p>\n

How You Can Protect Your Fleet Data<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The benefits of telematics far outweigh the risks, and there are plenty of measures that can be put in place to mitigate hacking risks.<\/p>\n

Be Selective<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Before you install any telematics software or hardware, it is crucial to thoroughly vet the products you will be using whether it is directly with a vendor or through a fleet management company.<\/p>\n

Check online reviews and the product websites to find as much information possible. It also helps to know:<\/p>\n