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Security standards to combat keyless entry-related car thefts

Date: 27 April 2018   |   Author: Sean Keywood

Car security standards are to be updated to address the problem of thefts due to keyless entry systems. 

Thatcham Research has announced that the New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) programme, through which all new cars are assessed as part of the determination of their insurance groups, will be updated in 2019. 

Thatcham says the new criteria will be designed to shut down the keyless entry vulnerability, while anticipating other potential methods of digital and cyber theft.

Thatcham's chief technical officer Richard Billyeald said: "Car crime is on the increase, with intelligence suggesting that electronic compromise is a factor in as many as one-in-four vehicle thefts.

"In the 1990s, the NVSA effectively brought an end to a car crime epidemic by introducing alarms and double-locking door functions, amongst other measures.

"In the same way, collaborative and concerted action from Thatcham Research, carmakers, police and insurers will close the digital vulnerabilities exploited by today's criminal gangs."

Thatcham says it has identified vulnerabilities in on-board electronic systems and that criteria covering these areas will be included in the new standards.

Billyeald said: "CCTV footage of criminal gangs exploiting a vulnerability in keyless entry systems has been highly visible in recent months.

"However, we estimate that only 1% of cars on the road have this technology.

"Carmakers are already introducing keys with motion sensors that deactivate when stored, and new secure signal transmission technologies.

"In the short term, while these counter-measures come into the market, concerned drivers should contact their dealer to discuss the digital functionality of their cars."

Thatcham is also concerned about the online availability of tools that criminals can plug into vehicles to programme a false key, and says it supports calls from police for closer regulation of these devices.

Thatcham also says police authorities have drawn attention to the increase in 'chop shops' - illicit garages where cars are dismantled to be sold on the spare parts market - and therefore criteria related to parts identification will also be reviewed.



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