Automakers warm up to friendly hackers at US cybersecurity conference

Attendees who visited the car hacking site had to escape a vehicle by deciphering the code to open its trunk, control its radio volume and speed, and lock the doors through their computers. — Reuters

LAS VEGAS: At a conference where hackers can try their hand at picking locks and discover cyber vulnerabilities in a makeshift hospital, they can also endeavor to break into the control units of cars and take over driving functions.

Those efforts at the DEF CON security convention in Las Vegas this weekend are sponsored by carmakers and suppliers that have increasingly recognised the need to collaborate with so-called white hat hackers – cyber experts who specialise in discovering vulnerabilities to help organisations.