In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by the need to counter increasingly sophisticated threats. As cybercriminals continuously refine their tactics, the cybersecurity landscape must adapt to stay one step ahead.

Automotive Cybersecurity

Over recent years, extensive discussions have focused on the trajectory of connected vehicles. As numerous OEMs introduce autonomous vehicles to the market, it's anticipated that by 2035, connectivity will encompass an estimated 93% of all cars in the EU.(https://www.statista.com/statistics/1276381/connected-car-fleet-as-a-share-of-total-car-parc-in-european-union/). And it is expected that almost all vehicles on the road will be connected by 2035. Software and apps control everything in the car, from our location and trip details to brakes systems. This makes the driver’s job more accessible, but the car is more vulnerable to outside attacks.

Cybersecurity is becoming a fundamental concern for the development of automotive systems, as attacks can have serious consequences for autonomous electric vehicles and can put human lives at risk.

Automotive as well as other targets in the field of security, we also focus on the CIA triad: Confidential, Integrity, Available. Based on these three factors, we implement security threats, attack scenarios, and test cases.

Here are reasons why cybersecurity is important for the automotive industry.

1. Modern cars are increasingly susceptible

As vehicles integrate more technology for convenience, efficiency, and safety, they also open up new avenues for cyber threats interface such as:

Increased Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth, Cellular network
CAN bus: ECU vulnerability
Infotainment and Telematics Systems

2. Speed or acceleration are prone to manipulation

Speed or acceleration are critical functions that can be manipulated and the implications of such attacks:

Connect On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) Port to exploit ECUs communicate.
Remote Execution via wireless connectivity features (Wifi, Bluetooth, and Cellular networks)

3. Protecting Car Users' Information

As vehicles become increasingly connected and integrated with advanced technology, protecting users' personal information has become a critical aspect of automotive cybersecurity.

The Data collected by modern vehicles can include sensitive information such as GPS locations, driving habits, personnel contact, tracking logs.

3 keys To Keep Your Vehicle Safe from Hackers

The importance of encryption

Encryption involves encoding information that can only be decoded by authorised parties. By encrypting data transmitted between different components of the vehicle’s system, manufacturers can ensure that even if hackers intercept the communication, they cannot make sense of the data.

The importance of authentication

Digital authentication goes back to the 1960s when modern computers became available at large research institutes and universities. Back then, computers were massive—often taking up entire rooms—and a scarce resource. Most universities that had a computer only had one. That meant students and researchers had to share it. But this also meant that users could access other users’ files without limitation.

By implementing robust authentication mechanisms, manufacturers can prevent unauthorises access to the vehicle’s sensitive systems.

The importance of secure communication protocols.

Secure communication protocols are essential for protecting vehicles from cyber threats. These protocols establish a secure channel for communication, preventing unauthorized parties from intercepting or tampering with the data.

By using secure communication protocols, manufacturers can protect sensitive information, such as GPS coordinates or personal data, from falling into the wrong hands.

Conclusion

Automotive cybersecurity is not just a technological consideration but a fundamental necessity in today’s interconnected world. As vehicles become more advanced with integrated systems and connectivity features, they also become more vulnerable to cyber threats.

Through this, it is also evident that there is a shortage of skilled personnel in this field, requiring individuals who truly understand automobiles as well as have experience in security. The intersection of automotive expertise and cybersecurity proficiency is crucial for addressing the evolving challenges and ensuring the safety and integrity of automotive systems in today's technology-driven environment.

Why Automotive Cybersecurity Is Important?