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September 2017

Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info

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22 | Overdrive | September 2017 T he University of Michigan made news in August 2016 when researchers at a con- ference presented results from their experiments with the vulner- ability of big rigs' electronic systems. As reported in Wired magazine ahead of the conference, researchers plugged into a 2006 tractor's OBD II port and largely commandeered the truck's internal net- work. In this hack simulation, researchers "were able to do everything from change the readout of the truck's instrument panel, trigger unintended acceleration, or to even disable one form of the semi- trailer's brakes." The experiment followed previous high-profile researcher hacks of con- sumer vehicles, exploiting vulnerabilities in the cars' over-the-air-connected info- tainment systems. Researchers were able to disable acceleration, brakes and more in a Jeep Cherokee. These incidents have sparked continu- ing discussions inside and outside the trucking community. They are part of a growing concern over vulnerabilities in "internet of things" (IoT) devices. These are not only phones and computers, but also modern home appliances, vehicles and the like that open connections to the Internet. The impending Dec. 18 electronic log- ging device mandate puts more focus on potential hacking in trucking. Most ELDs open up a connection to the cellular data network, whether directly or through paired smartphones or tablets. (The notable exception is the base version of the Continental VDO RoadLog.) ELD makers partially downplay the threat. They say their devices aren't set up to write to the engine's electronic control module – only to receive and transmit data from it and that they have various security measures in place. Nevertheless, scanning for vulner- abilities in IoT devices has been on the rise in recent years as hackers look for ways to turn problems into opportunity. Much more hacking is expected, pos- sibly via ELDs. "As the number and kinds of con- nected devices multiply, so have the secu- rity risks," AT&T said in a press release that announced a new IoT Cybersecurity Alliance this year. IBM, Nokia, Palo Alto Networks, Symantec and Trustonic also are part of the alliance. AT&T said it's seen a 30-fold "increase in attackers scan- ning for vulnerabilities in IoT devices." More ELD system designers also are taking security into account. "I think we're at an inflection point in the indus- try," says Sharon Reynolds, Omnitracs' chief information security officer. Guarding against vulnerabilities should be even more of a chief concern for everyone in the industry, Reynolds says. Owner-operator Chris Guenther knows what it feels like to lose some con- trol over a truck's electronics. Last sum- mer, he was fresh out of the shop with his 2012 Kenworth T700 powered by a Cummins ISX. Going across Southern With hundreds of thousands of big rigs about to tack on internet-connected ELDs, some people see a major security threat. BY TODD DILLS THE SHIFT THE SHIFT SECURITY With hundreds of thousands of big rigs about to tack on internet-connected ELDs, some With hundreds of thousands of big rigs about to tack on internet-connected ELDs, some With hundreds of thousands of big rigs about to tack on internet-connected ELDs, some With hundreds of thousands of big rigs about to tack on internet-connected ELDs, some Hacking trucks

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