Deloitte just released results of a survey that was conducted of 24,000 consumers to see their opinions on issues facing the automotive industry. Some of the questions focused on intention to purchase gasoline or diesel vehicles, where they would charge an EV vehicle, perception of autonomous vehicles, and issues of cybersecurity and cyberattacks.
In its research, Deloitte found that 64% of U.S. consumers are worried about the safety of an autonomous vehicle and are concerned about someone hacking into their vehicle. The concerns of cybersecurity and autonomous vehicles are not isolated to the U.S. but hit consumers internationally with 66% of respondents in India raising cybersecurity fears along with 64% of consumer expressing those same concerns in Germany and Republic of Korea.
This is not the first survey that revealed consumer hesitation regarding the security of connected vehicles. Recently, Munich Re company HSB conducted a survey with 1500 consumers in the U.S. that concluded that 37% are worried about cybersecurity issues and autonomous vehicles, understanding that a cyberattack could impair a vehicles ability to operate safely.
Additionally, 10% of respondents reported that they experienced a cyberattack that directly impacted their vehicle.
“Our cars are more connected than ever,” said Timothy Zeilman, Vice President for HSB, in prepared remarks. “It’s hard for consumers to keep up with rapidly evolving vehicle technology, and they wonder if their privacy and personal information is protected.”
The overwhelming fear that consumers expressed about cybersecurity issues and connected vehicles is a clear signal to the auto industry that the security issues need to be addressed to alleviate consumer hesitancy. Consumers will want to know how their vehicles are protected when making decisions about which vehicle to purchase.
This consumer hesitancy is not unfounded. The sensors of connected vehicles are developed to detect traffic signs, vehicles, guardrails, etc. to ensure that the vehicle can drive safely; however, the same systems can be vulnerable to cyberattacks by malicious actors. ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, and the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) recently put out a document that details some of the cybersecurity risks that can affect the AI (artificial intelligence) in autonomous vehicles and how companies can prevent them.
“It is important that European regulations ensure that the benefits of autonomous driving will not be counterbalanced by safety risks,” said Stephen Quest, JRC Director-General. “To support decision-making at EU level, our report aims to increase the understanding of the AI techniques used for autonomous driving as well as the cybersecurity risks connected to them, so that measures can be taken to ensure AI security in autonomous driving.”
Some ways that the auto industry is mitigating cybersecurity concerns is via embedded cybersecurity solutions and cybersecurity lifecycle management platforms that empower with the tools and visibility needed to protect autonomous vehicles with a multi-layered approach.
The automotive cybersecurity market has many ways of providing protection at one of the following levels: perimeter, network, and endpoint. However, all three layers need to be protected continuously; if one layer is penetrated, then all the layers are at risk. A solution that takes on a multi-layer approach is the only solution that can guarantee full cybersecurity coverage and prove safety to the global public.
The gap between technology development and consumer acceptance is a strong indicator that OEMs and Tier 1s will need to prove the cybersecurity safety of their vehicles for the public to have widespread adoption. Automakers will need to demonstrate what steps have been taken to ensure the safety, security, and protection of their consumers.
Nathaniel Meron, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at C2A Security, wrote this article for Futurride.
