Theoretically speaking, the integrated components between multiple sensors and various communication layers of these autonomous cars can make them more vulnerable to hackers since they give out more “entry points” of the system.
But hacking a self-driving car is far more complicated and difficult as we assume it to be. To find an access point in a multi-layered system that is integrated with information that comes out of every sensor, gets complicated. In addition to that, all the user data and real-time traffic data become an obstacle to hackers.
Internet of Things is widely responsible for self-driving cars and holds the potential for a safer alternative security method. With IoT systems can enhance their security and encryption at an exceptional level.
But hackers again can play a reverse card on us and use the Internet of Things to crack open the encryption, before any security measures have been set in place. Cyber criminals can also leverage the production line and supply chain weaknesses to access self-driving cars even before they are ready for the market. This is a very critical stage and hence companies like Tesla and Volvo have to be careful.
How To Prevent This Cyber Crime From Happening?
Prevention is better than cure, is a statement we have come across countless times. In this case, that phrase is even more true. If a cybercriminal were to hack even 10 cars in the city, there would be chaos in seconds, and major roads will end up getting blocked. This will further prevent emergency vehicles from passing through.
According to Skanda Vivek, a postdoctoral researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology, cars should use multiple networks instead of a singular network. During a cyber attack, this can prevent multiple autonomous vehicles from getting hacked and abused at the same time.
He further adds that, if only 5% of the connected vehicles were compartmentalized to a singular network then, the chances of a major city-wide fragmentation can below.
So, the hacker will have to constantly hack every 5% of the self-driving cars available. This task will become almost impossible for the hacker and hence will decrease the chances of any hacker even thinking about hacking vehicles.
Conclusion
Any new technology that is introduced to the market is impenetrable until someone actually does it. Just like previous successes and failures in tech, every new generation of evolved machines and vehicles come with their own vulnerabilities and strengths as well. Self-driving cars are said to reduce driving accidents by 40%.
Since no one has really tried hacking the autonomous vehicles on a larger scale yet, it is safe to assume that cybersecurity threats are unknown and are not studied. But we should not underestimate them either.
As a matter of fact, the fear of getting hacked, is pushing developers towards a deeper understanding of this technology, which someday might give us a threat-free autonomous car.
