NHTSA official praises automotive industry's 'proactive' cyber work

A solution to cyber threats in the automotive sector cannot be adequately addressed by regulation alone, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration official, who pointed to industry's "proactive" work as an alternative to regulation.

Cem Halipoglu, chief of NHTSA's electronic systems safety research division, said Tuesday during a Telecommunications Industry Association workshop on vehicle connectivity that the auto industry has stood out among other industries in addressing cybersecurity before any major hacks occurred.

"We think voluntary standards are...