ATTACK ON HACKERS
Automotive cybersecurity research group establishes local chapter
In a world where so much information is available at the click of a button, shared knowledge and connections about what is happening in automotive cybersecurity has been much harder to find.
University of Windsor assistant professor Ikjot Saini and A.J. Khan, who heads his own firm, Cloudgrc, are hoping to change that with the launch of the first two Canadian chapters of the Automotive Security Research Group (ASRG).
The chapters were launched at the beginning of July with Saini leading the Windsor organization and Khan doing the same in Toronto.
“As soon as you see a connection to the internet, that’s where you see a need for security,” Saini said. “In the automotive world it’s also about safety. It has big implications on your safety and life.”
The launch of the organization is timely with COVID -19 spurring an increase in cybercrimes ranging from industrial theft to fraud and attempts to steal scientific research into a COVID -19 vaccine.
The U.S.’S Federal Bureau of Investigation’s cybercrime centre reports a daily increase from 1,000 to 4,000 complaints.
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security felt compelled to release a guide warning of such crimes and how to protect yourself.
Between January and April 27, the CCCS reported 120,000 newly registered COVID -19-themed domains, a large proportion of which were considered related to fraudulent activity.
The non-profit group is part of ASRG’S global organization. ASRG was started two years ago in the U.S., but isn’t about creating its own products or services.
“I see this platform as an accelerator,” said Saini, who has a PHD in computer science. “The biggest problem everyone is running into is finding other people with knowledge and increasing collaboration. We don’t want to keep reinventing the wheel ... we want to be able to layer our knowledge on the base already created. This platform creates a place for that.”
Once the restrictions around COVID-19 ease, Saini hopes to host a meet-and-greet for local members. The gathering will also serve as an opportunity to get a better handle on the local community’s interests. Saini said 37 people have joined the local chapter in less than two weeks.
“We’ve surprised them with the numbers,” said Saini, who is also a member of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association’s Cyber Security Committee.
Saini added the organization is an excellent fit for the region.
The Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network has already designated Windsor as the province’s centre for excellence for cybersecurity and border logistics.
Saini has already reached out to the Institute for Border Logistics and Security to form new partnerships.
“I’m new to the area, so we want to reach out to everyone involved in auto security,” Saini said.
Saini added firms in other sectors of the economy, such as tech, safety-related industries, automation, artificial intelligence, insurance and anything to do with a supply chain, will also be interested in the platform.
With the auto industry acting like a black hole sucking in sectors of the economy never previously connected to it, Saini said there are great cross-sector opportunities in cybersecurity in Ontario.
The province already has one of the largest and fastest growing tech sectors in the world, and automotive is arguably the biggest driver of new research and development.
“It used to be at cybersecurity conferences it was mostly tech companies, but now there’s momentum being developed in automotive security,” Saini said.
“Connectivity is the large picture, it’s become more about smart cities. Once you have that internet of vehicles, it’s just one part of the internet of things.”
The chapter’s website, with a list of upcoming events, can be found at: meetup.com/automotive-security-researchGroup-windsor-asrg-win/.
The biggest problem everyone is running into is finding other people with knowledge and increasing collaboration.