Feds issue cybersecurity alert to automakers

Automakers are facing new cybersecurity recommendations.

The Transportation Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday issued a series of best practices automobile manufacturers may follow to protect their vehicles from cyber threats.

This comes as the automotive industry’s interest in driverless cars is increasing.

“A top NHTSA priority is enhancing vehicle cybersecurity to mitigate cyber threats that could present unreasonable safety risks to the public,” the agency said.

The agency announced the cybersecurity recommendations earlier this week but is now formally publishing them in the Federal Register, kicking off a 30-day comment period.

The NHTSA’s recommendations come in addition to a series of cybersecurity best practices issued this summer by industry groups.