Internet of things and Artificial intelligence are we prepared for CyberAttacks?

Despite the massive investments of tech giants, the Internet of things can take longer to bloom – contrary to the most optimistic estimates boast. The difficulty is not the technology itself, or the habits of people who easily get used to situations that facilitate your life.

The door of the laboratories inside everything can be solved with work and research. The problem is the door out. I mean the dark side of the force. Known as hackers, they have been a nightmare for all internet users: generals, bankers, heads of State and even housewives.

Of all industries which invest heavily in projects of Internet of things, the more advanced is the automaker. So much so that, today, vehicles without drivers already are a reality, a fact that puts us in the Hall of Artificial Intelligence.

However, the Internet of things will have a long way to become a reality and in fact incorporate the life of people. Of all the challenges faced today, the issue of cybersecurity is the most difficult to be resolved. Last week, we witnessed another chapter of this story with the publication of a conclusive report issued by Senator Edward j. Markey, about the safety and privacy of owners of motor vehicles of the United States of America. Today, in the United States, all vehicles have some sort of embedded wireless device and native of factory.

The report is based on a question referred to twenty vehicles automakers based in the United States, in 2013, on good practices and policies of the undertakings with respect to resilience of hacker attacks. The document also warns about the historical information protection of consumer habits and their paths. The answers weren’t satisfactory. Privacy policy information, half (50%) stated that collects information about its customers ‘ paths to offline mode, 25% do it in real time, 6% did not collect information and 19% abstained from responding.

On the question of resilience to cyberattacks, only two car manufacturers were able to demonstrate they have effective means to monitor and respond to a virus or malware attack. In next-generation vehicles, a cyberattack can be devastating, allowing the hacker to virtually do anything in the vehicle, how to control brakes, steering or open doors, for example. A cyberattack was simulated by a hacker who managed to control the vehicle completely.

In short, the us was proven by the Senate that the security and privacy of citizens are seriously compromised due to the inconsistency and inadequacy of processes, policies and procedures in relation to subjects questioned.

Such issues, privacy and security, are just two small streams that end by entering the main river of the Internet of things, where there is a sea of questions without answers. The main one is: what is the impact of this not-so-distant scenario for mankind? We should consider that the natural advancement of computers will make you able to think and make decisions.

Second privileged minds, as Stephen Hawking and Bill Gates, the Artificial Intelligence can mean the end of the human race, or at least a major risk to humanity, as we know it today. Such debate is current and has been the object of study of Nietzsche (in “thus spoke Zarathustra”) and Arthur c. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey). As well as the Neandertals have evolved to what we are today, what will come after the além-homem? Here’s what’s actually in discussion when we talk about Internet of things and Artificial Intelligence.

 

Dane Avanzi is businessman, lawyer and Vice President of Aerbras – Association of radio Companies of Brazil