This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on July 8, 2024 - July 14, 2024
In an era when technology seamlessly integrates into every facet of our lives, the vision of the future of transport, once dreamt in the mid-20th century, is becoming a reality. Landscapes are evolving, with the promise of enhanced connectivity, ease of travel and development of sprawling metropolises aimed at fostering a more harmonised society.
This transformative period in the transport landscape is not just about sleek designs, improved fuel efficiency or advanced safety systems, it is about the underlying digital revolution that has turned vehicles from mechanical wonders into sophisticated, software-driven entities.
The marvel of modern vehicles extends far beyond their aesthetic appeal or physical innovations. Today, vehicles are commonly referred to as data centres on wheels, equipped with digital interfaces that constantly communicate with manufacturers, receive over-the-air (OTA) software updates and integrate advanced safety features, like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems, to navigate complex environments.
The once direct mechanical connection between the accelerator and the engine has been replaced by a digital command centre, where a simple press of a pedal is translated into a series of computations that ensure optimal performance and safety.
However, this digital evolution brings with it a looming shadow of vulnerability. The very systems that make modern vehicles a marvel of technology also expose them to a myriad of cybersecurity threats.
In recent years, the automotive industry has witnessed a concerning trend: an increase in cyberattacks targeting not just the vehicles but the entire ecosystem surrounding their development, production and maintenance.
The 2021 attack on KIA Motors by the DopplePaymer group is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate cybersecurity measures. While no direct harm to drivers was reported, the incident underscored the risks of operational downtime, revenue loss and eroding customer trust.
The question then becomes, what lies ahead? The potential targets for cyberattacks are not limited to consumer vehicles but extend to government and municipal mass transit systems.
The stakes are exponentially higher with the threat landscape encompassing espionage, state-sponsored activities and the emerging menace of AI-driven cyberthreats.
The complexity of modern vehicles, often containing upwards of 100 endpoints, including infotainment systems that store personal data, demands a cybersecurity strategy that transcends traditional approaches and international borders.
Aston Martin’s F1 team provides a great example of the intricate cybersecurity needs of ultra-modern, high-tech vehicles and their creators. These highly complex vehicles illuminate the imperative for a holistic cybersecurity framework that addresses the challenges faced across the entire product life cycle, from pre-production to post-production.
The Aston Martin F1 team, known for their cutting-edge technology and pursuit of perfection, exemplifies the critical need for advanced cybersecurity measures capable of thwarting AI-driven threats and protecting the intricate network of systems and applications that underpin the performance of these high-speed machines.
While protecting an F1 vehicle can be accepted as an extreme example of a connected vehicle with each endpoint generating large sets of data, many of these technologies are likely to find their way into consumer, municipality, government and even mass transit vehicles down the road.
The cybersecurity of modern vehicles is indeed a data problem.
Protecting this data requires a proactive approach, one that involves hunting for threats, deceiving potential attackers and adopting a mindset that places vehicle cybersecurity on a par with data security across the rest of the organisation. It is about creating a resilient shield around the digital and physical aspects of the transport ecosystem, ensuring that innovation continues to drive us forward, not backward into an age of vulnerability.
As we navigate this digital frontier, the automotive industry must prioritise cybersecurity as a foundational element of vehicle design and functionality.
The collaboration between cybersecurity experts and automotive giants is a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. The path forward requires concerted efforts from manufacturers, suppliers, cybersecurity professionals and regulatory bodies to establish robust standards and practices that safeguard our vehicles and, by extension, our society.
The future of the transport industry depends not just on technological advancements but on our ability to protect and secure these innovations against the ever-evolving threats of the digital age.
Morgan Wright is chief security advisor at SentinelOne, a cybersecurity firm that is pushing the boundaries of autonomous technology
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