Technology advancement has changed the way we interact with our world. Have you ever wondered about the improvement the transportation industry has seen, from manual vehicles requiring energy and maximum concentration to automatic vehicles that appear easier to drive and control and now to self-driving cars? With AI assuming the driver’s seat comes security implications requiring attention to ensure passenger’s and general public safety.
What Are Autonomous Vehicles?
Autonomous vehicles are self-driving vehicles that rely on sophisticated AI systems to navigate the complexities of the road while adhering to all safety rules. Technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, sensor fusion, and real-time decision-making algorithms played significant roles in making self-driving vehicles a reality. These technologies enable the vehicle to understand its environment, interpret road signs, recognize obstacles, and make driving decisions without human intervention. With AI, the world is gradually enjoying safe transportation free from human error, but this marks another open market for threat actors. According to the Washington Post, one of the leading AI-driven vehicle providers, Tesla, has been involved in 17 fatalities and 736 crashes. This is a subject of concern and a reason to discuss some vulnerabilities and threats related to using AI-driven Vehicles.
What Are The Vulnerabilities And Threats Of AI-driven Vehicles
Cybersecurity attacks
Cybersecurity is still a significant consideration for many, as Autonomous vehicles are highly connected to networks for updates and remote diagnostics. They heavily rely on automated computer programs with the need for regular updates. This could be an attack vector for a skilled threat actor to gain unauthorized access to a vehicle’s systems or the potential to take control of critical functions, disrupt navigation, or cause accidents.
Sensor Spoofing
Autonomous vehicles rely on a suite of sensors, such as lidar, radar, and cameras, to understand their surroundings. Threat actors could manipulate or spoof these sensors, which could mislead the AI system to make incorrect decisions based on the falsified data.
Malicious Software
Although AI-driven Vehicles take away the stress associated with driving, they are susceptible to malware infection, which invariably means they could become compromised and endanger passengers and other road users.
Data Privacy
The vast amount of data generated and collected by autonomous vehicles, including location, behaviour, and personal information, can put users at risk of potential privacy breaches.
How to Secure AI-driven Vehicles
Secure Software Development
The security of every level of an AI system development for an autonomous vehicle is essential for several reasons, which include securing lives and protecting data. Factors such as encryption and access controls are necessary at all times. Also, it’s vital to understand that there is no such thing as “everlasting security,” The AI must regularly get updates to patch known vulnerabilities and prevent future ones.
Network Security
Autonomous vehicles should have stringent network security, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems. Since there’ll be external system communication with the vehicle, secure communication protocols using data encryption methods are necessary.
Sensor Redundancy
“High Availability” is one of the vital factors to keep an AI system functioning. It implies encouraging Redundancy to prevent a single point of failure and promote the detection of sensor spoofing or failures. However, data availability without adequate data validation could be a recipe for disaster. AI systems’ design should cross-check and validate data from all sources at all times.
Behaviour Monitoring and transparency
When things go wrong with an autonomous vehicle, an attempt to query its database, There should be transparency in the system functionality. Implementing real-time behaviour monitoring can help identify anomalies in a vehicle’s operation and trigger alerts in case of unauthorized access or tampering.
Legislation and Regulation
Governments and regulatory bodies should establish standards and regulations for developing, deploying, and operating autonomous vehicles to ensure safety and security, which will prevent the release of substandard autonomous vehicles to the market.
User Awareness and Education
People hardly read manuals, privacy policies, terms and conditions, and instructions while buying or using technology equipment. Nevertheless, it should be mandatory for passengers and operators of autonomous vehicles to pass through some basic training on risks and safety measures, which will help them understand safe use guidelines, security best practices, and the limitations of AI-driven vehicles.
Conclusion
The security implications of AI in autonomous vehicles are complex and evolving. As technology advances, so do the strategies of potential threat actors. Ensuring the security of self-driving cars is an ongoing process that requires collaboration between automakers, software developers, cybersecurity experts, and policymakers. The promise of safer, more efficient transportation through autonomous vehicles is within reach, but only if we address the security implications with vigilance and commitment.
