"HSB Survey Finds EV Security Fears"
According to new research, small business owners in America are expanding their service fleets with electric vehicles (EVs) despite having fears about the machines’ cybersecurity. An online survey for the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) found that 15% of small and medium-sized businesses had leased or purchased EVs for commercial use. However, just over three-quarters (76%) of those business owners and managers were concerned that the EVs could fall prey to hackers, ransomware, and other cyberattacks when connected to EV charging stations. The survey revealed that nearly half of small business owners were “somewhat or very concerned” about the cybersecurity and safety of internet-connected and automated vehicles. The president for HSB, Timothy Zeilman, stated that the technology is advancing swiftly, and there is a growing need to focus on the cybersecurity of electric vehicles. He continued by noting that with the rush to make the switch to electric cars and trucks, owners and the EV industry should step up their efforts to protect vehicles and charging infrastructure from cyberattacks. When asked to describe their own security experience regarding their commercial vehicles, 13% of business owners and managers said that their fleet had been impacted by a computer virus, hacking incident, or other cyberattack at some point. Nearly half of the 504 individuals surveyed (44%) said that they were worried about their vehicles’ data, software, or operating systems being damaged or destroyed by malware or another form of cyberattack. More than half (56%) of respondents described themselves as somewhat or very concerned that a cyberattack could immobilize their vehicles or render them inoperable. Roughly the same proportion of respondents (54%) said they were worried that a cyberattack could compromise their safety on their EV. The possibility of a hacker breaking into their EV and communicating with them over the vehicle’s audio system was a concern for 43% of respondents.