As over-the-air (OTA) wireless software update technology spreads rapidly in the auto industry, concerns are growing that vehicle systems could become vulnerable to cyberattacks.

On July 18, CNBC reported that experts said security checks and policy intervention for the auto industry need to be strengthened.

In particular, the spread of OTA is raising new security concerns linked to transport infrastructure.

OTA is a technology that wirelessly delivers software, firmware, patches and data to internet-connected devices. Tesla introduced OTA updates in the 2012 Model S, and the technology later spread across the auto industry.

Gabriel Lim (가브리엘 림), a senior research fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the use of OTA is raising concerns at the national security level. CNBC reported that concerns have been raised in Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom about the possibility that external actors could interfere with control of vehicles in motion, going beyond data privacy issues.

In May, the American Enterprise Institute warned that protecting the auto industry is important to limiting foreign governments' espionage capabilities. It said limits on some foreign-made in-vehicle hardware and software, additional security screening and expanded disclosures on data collection should be considered to respond to foreign espionage threats.

Tests also showed vulnerabilities. Norwegian bus company Ruter tested 2 buses late last year and identified a potential OTA-related risk in 1 of them. There was a mobile network access path into the battery and power-supply control systems through a Romanian SIM card, and in theory a manufacturer could stop the bus or render it inoperable.

After that investigation, Britain and Denmark also began their own probes. Britain's transport ministry is investigating the matter in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Centre. The buses under investigation were made by China's Yutong, but Shaik said the issue is not limited to a specific manufacturer or a specific country.