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Secure driverless future with connected cars

A new report calls for greater industry collaboration and transparency in developing connected and driverless cars

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Sanghamitra Kar
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BANGALORE, INDIA: A new report from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) calls for greater industry collaboration and transparency in developing connected and driverless cars. This will help ensure that future autonomous vehicles are safe from cyber threats.

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Over the coming years, connected technologies between both vehicles themselves and the transport infrastructure will become an integral feature of the global car market, which is estimated to be worth €39bn by 2018. The increasing use of connectivity in and between cars has put pressure on manufacturers and consumers to ensure connected systems remain safe.

Automotive Cyber Security reviews the progress made in developing technology like driverless cars, identifying possible cyber security vulnerabilities and highlighting how a number of manufacturers in the automotive industry are responding to fears that cars of the future could be ‘hacked’.

This review, based on research and consultation with industry, outlines a number of potential issues and threats including:

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· personal data theft

· fraud and deception (altering or deleting schedule logs and records)

· freight and goods theft

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· automotive ‘hacktivism’ – cyber infiltration of a vehicle’s systems that is politically or ideologically motivated

· immobilisation

· inflicting disruption, damage and even injury out of spite

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Looking at the trends in connected and autonomous transportation, the report also identifies the potential benefits – including safer, more efficient transport and a potential boon for car sales due to new selling points.

The report recommends:

· further consultation between the automotive industry and other industries already addressing cyber security challenges so that lessons can be learned and technologies transferred

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· supporting the development of professional disciplines focussed on addressing automotive cyber security and autonomous vehicles

· continued and more in-depth research into – and analysis of – issues like driver responsibility and attributing liability for connected, autonomous vehicles and in cyber security incidents

The full report is available on both the IET and KTN websites.

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