Automobiles: The Next Network Security Challenge?Automobiles: The Next Network Security Challenge?

Executives spend much of their day in automobiles, and typically, little to no work is done during this time. That may soon change, according to market research firm Juniper Research. Automobile manufacturers are using voice recognition technology to gradually transform cars into mobile offices and the use of such services is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.Juniper expects revenue from embedded devices and Mobile to Mobile systems to reach $18.9 billion globally in 2014. In vehicle computer applications, such as composing email messages or surfing the Web, are expected to account for over a third of that total. These services are just starting to emerge. Many automobile suppliers vehicles rely on voice recognition to deliver services, such as directions, but gradually, they have been gaining other capabilities.

Ford Motor Co. has been at the head of the pack, working with Microsoft to deliver Ford Sync, a voice activated, in-car communications system, in 2007. The system started out helping drivers find their favorite songs on their iPods or satellite radio systems. At the end of 2009, the company announced a version that features an in-car Wi-Fi system powered by a USB mobile broadband modem, effectively turning car into Internet hot spot, where a user can read or compose email message and surf the Web.

Kia has been on Fords trail. The company plans to start rolling out mobile office features on its vehicles in the summer after working with Microsoft on a Sync competitor, dubbed Uvo. This system, which is available on Kia Sorrento, Soul, Forte, and Fore KOUP, enables users to answer and place phone calls; receive and respond to SMS text messages; and search for information.

While the services could help small and medium company executives become more productive, they will introduce new challenges for IT departments. To date, the services have been largely targeted at consumers. At the moment, they do not seem to offer robust security features, such as support for Virtual Private Networks or firewalls. Consequently, these businesses will have to keep a close eye on these services, so they do not become gateways that hackers can use to corrupt corporate data.