Life in a connected world…

As we increasingly move to a connected world where all of our devices and products have embedded chips in them communicating with a wireless network to share information and data, we will become more susceptible to privacy and security issues. The New York Times has a great article (must log on but free to join) on automobiles and how products like Onstar from GM, EZPass, and even tires from Michelin can share data about you and where you have been. Obviously, there are a plethora of benefits from services like the above and a potential invasion of privacy is the tradeoff that we need to live with in order to have more convenience. However, there is one aspect of living in a more connected world that I worry about and that is security. In an earlier posting, I commented on potential security breaches in mobile phones and other devices. Currently Onstar can remotely unlock your doors and turn on lights and horns. What if a hacker found ways to control other functions in your automobile via Onstar? As new technologies emerge and proliferate into the market, you can bet that hackers will find a hole to exploit. When taking advantage of new technology and designing new products, companies must carefully balance the tradeoff between convenience/simplicity and security.