Army, Michigan State Police Test Vehicle Cybersecurity

U.S. Army engineers and scientists specializing in automotive cybersecurity and staff members from the Michigan State Police (MSP) demonstrated the results of applying Army cybersecurity tools to the law enforcement agency's fleet vehicles on Dec. 6, according to an Army news release.

Experts from the nearby U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) performed a cyber vulnerability analysis of the two MSP fleet vehicles. This analysis, focused on finding weaknesses in the computerized systems inherent in modern police vehicles, will be used to provide MSP the tools to strengthen cyber defenses and prepare for how to respond in the event of a cybersecurity incident.

The police vehicles were evaluated at the MSP test track in Lansing, enduring days of high-tech efforts to test unseen defenses on board. The test track provided the engineers an opportunity to conduct their vulnerability tests in an operational setting, while the vehicles were in motion.

“We have been taking steps for years to reduce the impacts of disruptive cyber-related events and protect the health, safety, and economic interests of Michigan residents and business," said Lt. Col. Chris Kelenske of the MSP, in the release. "This partnership will help ensure systems and components that govern vehicle safety, operations, and public safety-related equipment are protected from harmful attacks, damage, unauthorized access, or anything else that might interfere with emergency response or vehicle safety functions.”