Ford Motor Company is adding some basic protections for drivers that are a little uncommon when you think of car safety. They are focusing on privacy and data protection from within, thanks to a few security options that are being added to the newest SYNC system.
Ford to offer security with second generation SYNC system. (IMG: Ford)
Last December, Ford announced that the newest incarnation of SYNC would incorporate in-car Wi-Fi, thanks to the ability for the driver to attach their USB-based broadband modem. Used in laptops the world over, the mobile broadband cards would allow passengers Internet access by turning the vehicle into a moving Wi-Fi hotspot. When parked, the driver can access the Web though the 8-inch touch screens with built-in browser via MyFord Touch.
Security for this hotspot feature will come from Ford’s SYNC Firewall that enforces WPA2 security and allows the driver to reject devices that attempt a connection. The WPA2 password is said to be randomly chosen, but Ford did not comment if the SYNC system assigns the password or if the driver would set it.
Depending on the option, weak passwords would play a role in security risks, but then again, this is a car, so you can’t expect Enterprise grade security. However, the concept and design of the new SYNC offerings were based on Ford’s own IT policies and practices, so they are expected to be decent for the limited usage offered by SYNC.
Another SYNC security offering, aimed at privacy, centers on Bluetooth. Ford will allow cars to pair up to 12 devices over the protocol, and the second the device leaves the car, all stored information, such as contact lists, would be removed from the system. Another privacy function, dubbed Home Protection, uses a PIN that would prevent access to stored navigation controls, such as office locations or home addresses.
Other security features from Ford include a DRM-based format and encryption for the hard drive on the car that is used to store music. The encryption and DRM is unique for each vehicle, preventing drive swaps or USB downloads of stored music. While this would be a security feature for Ford, the overall value for a driver remains to be seen, given that it would be nice to take stored music from one car and use it in a rental for example.
Overall, the interesting aspect is that Ford realizes that the more technology you add to a car, the more it needs to be protected. While it is unlikely that the new security measures in SYNC will be seen as a major leap forward in the world of systems defense, the fact that a car will now enforce WPA2 is at the least serious geek credibility for the auto maker.
SYNC is available in most cars for about $395 and is offered standard in the high-end models. It requires activation, and you can expect to see the new features in the 2011 Ford Edge, and 2011 MKX Lincoln first. Later it will be an option in the 2012 Ford Focus.
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