Non-profit hacking group "I am the Calvary" invited car makers to work with them to develop more secure cybersecurity features for their cars.
The group gave a talk at the Def Con hackers conference in Las Vegas and presented an open letter to CEOs of automotive companies, urging them to employ at least the basic guidelines to ensure that cars are not at risk to cyber attacks.
Cars have tiny computer systems which can control every function in the vehicle, including engines, navigation and brakes. According to security experts, the system is susceptible to cyber crimes, and if compromised, hackers can jeopardize a driver's security.
John Corman, a security industry professional and one of the founders of I Am The Calvary, said the group will not reveal the vulnerabilities of certain cars, but it is urging car companies to react to the issue immediately.
"The once distinct worlds of automobiles and cyber security have collided," the letter said, as quoted by Reuters. "Now is the time for the automotive industry and the security community to connect and collaborate."
The group expressed its readiness to work with other experts in the industry as well as researchers by ensuring responsible revelation of data. This also means that if the group detects a virus, it will alert the car companies first before announcing it to the public, giving the car company enough time to fix the problem.
"The goal is build trust," Corman told Reuters. "In the past, these hacking talks were 'Look at me. Look at what I did.' There wasn't much care for what happens next and how it affects the industries."
I Am The Calvary has been working with security companies, lawmakers and regulators since the group was formed. Members of the group include experts from areas such as consumer electronics, medical devices and critical infrastructure.
