Cybersecurity of the connected electric bike: how to secure your data?
Are there any drawbacks to the connected electric bike? This is a question that is bound to come up, especially after the media uproar over Joe Biden's Peloton, the famous presidential connected bike that was suspected of having cybersecurity risks.
This story had indeed caused a lot of ink to flow in the United States, when the American president took office on January 20, 2021. The fact that hackers could hack into the data of the head of the world's leading power via his connected bike had indeed inflamed the media. But are heads of state the only ones concerned by this problem? Certainly not.
Whether you are a business owner, an employee or a freelancer, you may also be wondering about the cyber risks that your future connected bike could expose you to.
So, to help you choose your brand of smart electric assist bike (EAB), here we'll explore the potential risks associated with using this type of bike, whether you're a business or an individual. We'll also look at the steps the best brands are taking to protect their customers from cybersecurity threats. But before we go any further, let's take a brief look back at the untold story of Joe Biden's connected bike in the White House.
What does the story of Joe Biden and his famous Peloton tell us?
Joe Biden is a cycling enthusiast. His love affair with Peloton began in 2018, when he first met entrepreneur Jeff Miller, creator of the connected bike called Peloton. Impressed with the technology, Joe Biden purchased a Peloton exercise bike for himself.
However, once he was elected president, safety concerns were raised about his use of a connected bike. The concerns included the possibility that malicious people could :
- Access Joe Biden's personal information;
- use the bike to hack into other devices in the White House.
Steps have since been taken to protect the data of the U.S. President and his Platoon. While these measures have been put in place, some computer security experts advise political figures not to use such connected devices to avoid the risk of hacking. Or else deploy adequate protection measures that take sophisticated threats into account.
The same advice applies to business leaders, who are also called upon to manage sensitive information on a daily basis. The implementation ofspecial features on their connected electricbike (also called "smart bike" or VAE) could, in their case, be a solution to consider.
What are the risks related to the use of smart bikes in companies?
The use of a fleet of connected bicycles, in the context of employees' home-workplace journeys, can also present cyber risks. Whether these are related to the collection and processing of employees' personal data, or the security of the data stored on the connected bike.
Types of data collected
Smart bikes are equipped with various technologies, such as sensors, GPS and wireless connections, which collect and transmit information regarding, among others:
- geolocation;
- driving mode; ;
- battery level ;
- Speed;
- vehicle status (parked, moving, stolen, etc.);
- Data entered by the user.
If sensitive information is intercepted by cybercriminals, it could have harmful, even disastrous, consequences for employees and the company.
What steps should be taken to protect sensitive data?
Companies must therefore take into account data protection regulations, such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR ), when using smart bikes in the workplace.
It is indeed essential for them to put in place effective measures to protect their employees and sensitive information.
In this respect, working with cybersecurity experts will allow to quickly detect and correct any security vulnerabilities within the company.
Cybersecurity of the connected electric bike: what risks for the individual?
We have seen that, because it is connected to the Internet, the smart bike can be vulnerable to hacker attacks.
What are the potential dangers? Here are the main ones.
- Hackers can take control of the bike, block it or make it work in an unpredictable way, which would endanger the driver's life.
- Hackers can also access the owner's personal data, such as addresses and riding habits, which can be used for malicious purposes.
To protect smart bike riders, it is therefore crucial for smart bike manufacturers to implement measures such as strong firewalls with excellent security, encryption protocols and regular software updates.
Connected EAB brands will also benefit from working closely with cybersecurity experts to quickly detect and fix security flaws.
Cybersecurity: Angell protects your data with advanced encryption technologies
Designed to enhance the security of cyclists and their bikes, Angell Bike's premium smart bikes have many advantages.
- Angell Bike models are equipped with a smart lock system that uses advanced encryption technologies to prevent unauthorized access;
- Angell Bike has a built-in GPS tracking system that quickly locates the bike in case of theft and sends an alert to the user;
- Angell's mobile app allows you to lock and unlock the bike remotely, which is great if you've forgotten your key or want to lend your bike to a friend;
- Angell regularly updates the software on its smart electric bikes. This is done to improve performance, ensure rider safety, add new features, stay on top of technology and meet customer expectations.
And finally, to further secure its bikes and customers, the French brand Angell ensures the protection of its users' personal information by using strict privacy and data security standards.
In conclusion
Connected electric bikes or smart bikes are becoming increasingly popular in France. They are indeed more convenient, more fun and less tiring to use than a traditional bike, even for long distances.
Smart bikes are equipped with advanced technologies (sensors, GPS, mobile applications, wireless connection, etc.). This allows for intuitive use and an enhanced user experience. However, while these features greatly enhance the riding experience, they can also present potential safety risks. In other words, with increased connectivity also comes increased cyber security risks.
Are you about to purchase one or more smart bikes for yourself or your business? To minimize the risk of losing your investment, opt for a smart bike brand that puts forth the appropriate measures to protect its customers from potential cyber threats.
Angell Bike connected electric bikes offer a safe and secure riding experience, both in terms of your cybersecurity and physical safety.
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